The California heat wave burned intensely as the college football season got underway.

As a UCLA fan, I welcomed the return of the fall sport and the University of Notre Dame to the Rose Bowl.

The return of college football also signaled the return of another fall classic - Fall Ball. The city of Burbank is the host of the Amateur Softball Association's annual girl's fastpitch tournament.

Teams from Burbank, Santa Clarita, Los Angeles, Crescenta Valley, Oxnard and Ventura gathered at three different parks to participate in this year's softball event. Last year's embarrassing finale are only a memory now.

They say there are three constants in life: death, taxes and change. Change was evident on Saturday morning as the softball teams arrived at George Izay Park (Olive Recreation Center).

The California Crushers disbanded during the summer, but pulled together a team for fall ball with many of the "old" players now on other teams.

The So Cal Ringers (the team I will cover this season) underwent a major roster change as well. Of course, as happens every year, seniors from the graduating class of 2007 were now off to college, many to compete at a higher level.

The Ringers were scheduled to play back-to-back games against the Ravens and West Valley Mayhem. The battery for game one found Lizzie Miller on the mound and Anna Brenner behind the plate.

The Ringers opened the first inning with four batters, scoring on a single by Kylie Mulligan, a sacrifice by Brittny Dow and an error from the Ravens. The Ringers defense held the Ravens scoreless in the inning as the batters went down in order.

The second inning had seven Ringers come to the plate, pushing across their second run of the game. Singles (from Devon Zerebko and Mulligan) led the offense, with walks to Caitlin Deering and Kelsey Chambers, and a sacrifice by Abby Ulf.

In the bottom half of the inning, the Ravens sent three batters to the plate without scoring. Leading by a score of 2-0, the Ringers added one more as Cassie Colón started off the third inning with a single, reached second on a sacrifice by Emily Heinemann, stole third base and finally crossed home plate on a wild throw.

The inning was a repeat for the Ravens as they went down in order for the third time.

Ringers were held scoreless in the fourth inning when four batters did not score. The Ravens showed a spark of offense in their half of the inning as they sent five batters to the plate and scored one run

They say it just takes one bad inning in softball to cause a disaster or bring a team the win.

For the Ringers, disaster struck in the fifth inning. The Ringers offense added a final run to their tally and thought they had the game locked away. In the bottom of the inning, however, the Ravens had eight batters take on the Ringers pitcher.

When the dust settled they had scored four runs on two singles, a walk, a triple, and two Ringer errors. Behind 5-4, the Ringers had one more opportunity to win the game.

As the sixth inning opened, coach Tim Dow needed two runs to beat the Ravens. The sun beat down fiercely as the sixth, seventh, and eighth batters attempted to get on base and score. It was not to be as the Ringers went down in order and the Ravens won the game.

Game two on the day saw the Ringers in the role of visitors against West Valley Mayhem. Opening up the first inning, the Ringers' Mulligan was walked and then reached second base on a fielder's choice. That would be the end of the line for Mulligan as the next two batters struck out.

Things looked good in the bottom of the inning as pitcher Lydia struck out the lead batter, only to walk the next three batters, give up two singles, and a fourth walk.

When the final out of the inning was called, the Ringers found themselves trailing Mayhem 3-0. The second and third innings were unproductive for both teams as the Ringers sent nine batters to the plate but failed to score.

For their part, Mayhem managed eleven batters without scoring.

With time running out in the top of the fourth inning, the Ringers knew they needed to score. Abby Ulf started the offense when she hit a double to right field. Emily Heinemann singled, followed by a Mayhem error and a walk for Caitlin Deering.

Trailing Mayhem 3-2, and no one out, the Ringers felt a surge of hope. Mayhem was quick to respond when one of their players came up "injured" causing a delay in play that did not stop the game clock.

Two strikeouts and a fly-out by the left fielder ended the game and gave Mayhem the victory. Next up for the Ringers will be Burbank Heat and Dynasty.