On Jan. 22, 1982, the Anaheim Angels (yes, that was really their name) acquired
Reggie "Mr. October" Jackson. The addition to the Angel's lineup electrified the media and propelled the team to the playoffs. Trading players to strengthen a team, or get rid of a problem, is a part of sports. Sometimes a so-so player may come to life on a new team and contribute to a championship run. At other times, a trade simply highlights that there is nothing, short of divine intervention, that can make a player or team a champion.
The high school season was winding down as some softball teams entered the playoffs with dreams of a division championship. For the schools whose season came to an end, many of the players returned to their travel ball team.
Cassie Colón of John Burroughs High School was making plans to join back up with the California Crushers' fastpitch softball team, when word came that she had been "traded" to the California Flames Gold.
Well, it really wasn't a trade. The Crushers' starting pitcher had decided to play for another team, which meant one of the coaches (the pitcher's father) would be leaving the team as well. In short order, three more players left the Crushers, wiping out any chance for the team to re-group in time for summer ball.
Colón's agent, her mother
Yvonne, had made contact with the Flames and arranged for Cassie to join the team at the Anaheim (Amateur Softball Association) tournament - USA Athletics Summer Kickoff. The two-day tournament would provide Colón an opportunity to try out for a position with the Flames, insuring her summer would be filled with softball. At the same time, the Flames would know if the "trade" was a good deal. First up for the Flames were the
Loma Linda Sliders. After five innings of play, the scoreboard told the story:
Runs Hits Errors
Flames 0 5 3
Sliders 9 9 0
The Flames had five singles in the game against six singles, one double, one triple, and one home run for the Sliders.
Game two of the day saw the Flames face the Irvine Sting for five and a half innings of play. When the dust settled, Sting came out on top, leaving the Flames 0-2 in the tournament.
R H E
Flames 2
6 4
Sting 6 8 0
As the late afternoon waned, and after the second short break for the players, the Flames warmed up for game three against the Fresno Force.
The final game of the day lasted five innings, as the Flames faced a mercy loss for the second time. The Flames managed three singles, while the Force countered with four singles, two triples, and three home runs.
R H E
Flames 1
6 4
Force 9 8 0
After playing in two of the three games during the day, Colón and her agent (mom) had spoken with the coach and the team manager. Terms of the contract were discussed as well as the team's up coming schedule. The 45-minute ride home was spent reviewing the potential opportunity to play with the Flames. Colón expressed a definite chemistry with the players and acknowledged playing for the Flames would provide plenty of exposure to college scouts. In the long run, Colón's decision came down to the total package. The feeling that this would not be a good fit for her was obvious, so the choice was equally apparent - "Coach, trade me to another team."