Softball: Alhambra’s ‘Field of Dreams’ finally becomes a reality

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March 4, 2008, wasn’t a complete loss for the softball team from Alhambra, though it lost to Gabrielino, 7-1, that day.

That’s because four years ago, on that date, members of Alhambra’s team sued the Alhambra Unified School District alleging gender inequality under Title IX.

Lauren Cruz, then a sophomore, was not happy that she and her teammates had to play on an old field while the baseball team enjoyed the luxuries of a new $900,000 complex. They won.

That loss to Gabrielino last month was in their first game on their new field.

Today, before Alhambra’s game against Almont League leader Keppel, officials will dedicate the field with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m.

Cruz, the lead plaintiff, will be in attendance. So will Vicky Baker from the California Women’s Law Center, one of the lawyers on the case, and officials from Alhambra High School, Alhambra Unified School District and the city of Alhambra.

Alhambra (12-7, 3-3) is two games behind Keppel (14-3, 5-1) in the league standings with four games left.

Jennifer Olivarez, who leads Alhambra with a batting average of .618, and Cherish Heaton, tied for the team lead with 18 RBIs, played with Cruz for two seasons.

The other two standouts on this year’s team are Stephanie Rodriguez, who’s stolen 31 bases, and pitcher Sylvia Romero, a sophomore with a 7-3 record and an ERA of 1.83.

-- Jaime Cardenas