The summer softball season is now over for the Southwest Softball Association players and coaches. But from all indications, the first season play Amateur Softball Association affiliation (the group dropped association with Babe Ruth Softball), it was a good year.

The season got under way on May 12 with opening ceremonies that included a hot dog dinner and door prizes donated by the local merchants including Wal-Mart, Steve Keetch Motors, City Market, Wagons West, Herbal Body Shoppe, Dolores Food Mart, Auto Glass Technology, Burger Boy, A Cut Above, Nula Carlisle, M&M Restaurant, Hair Affair, Golden Corral, Four Corners Welding, Fahrian Welding, Dolores Star, Triad, and First National Bank.

The American Legion Post 75 Honor Guard presented the American Flag. Brad Sitton and Sara Clark sang the National Anthem. Police Officer Dianne Fox threw out the first pitch.

The team sponsors in the Minors Division were: Diamondbacks - Valley Inn; Marlins - Wilkin Home Construction/Fraley and Co.; Padres - First National Bank; Pirates - Dolores State Bank; Angles - Best Log Industries; and Indians - Ute Mountain Ute Reservation.

Team sponsors in then Majors Division were: Diamondbacks - Empire Electric; Marlins - Rocky Mountain Rentals/Hair Headquarters; Padres - Four Corners Landscaping; Angles - Howard’s Sporting Goods; and Blue Jays - Smith Escort.

The season ended with Southwest Softball Association’s first annual tournament, including the minors 10-and-under, and majors 15-under divisions. Opening the ceremonies included Padres team member Kristjana Carlisle singling the National Anthem.

Champions in the Minors Division were the Diamondbacks, coached by Julie and Donovan Snyder and Mark Mattson. Members of the team were: Callie Carver, Jennifer Pierce, Kiffanie Smith, Darshina Benally, Jessie Pickens, Brittney Whiteman, Nichelle Betts, Tawnie Sheets, Tori Pickens, and Gina Franchini. Second-placers were the Padres, coached by Debra Ramsey and Marsha Chaffin.