AWA opened the season like a runaway train, reeling off victories of 16-5, 12-0, 21-6, and 31-3 in the first four games of the year. The team's next opponent, Guardino Pump &Well, gave AWA all it could handle in a terrific seesaw game that the guys pulled out 19-18 by scoring twice in the bottom of the seventh.

The team was now poised to finish the first half undefeated, but the guys were derailed 6-5 by second place and once-beaten Ochoa Roofing in the first half finale. With both AWA and Ochoa Roofing tied for first, a special playoff to determine the first half champ was scheduled for the next week. The playoff spot that the guys had taken for granted was now at risk, and the team responded with a terrific effort, burying the Roofers 15-3. The boys of AWA had their reservation in the league finals for the third time in four years.

AWA was moved up to the "B" League for the second half, where the team tested well against superior competition, posting a 3-3 record. Meanwhile, the second half of the "CC" race was a muddled mess among four teams who were each still in contention for the top spot.

On this playoff night five teams showed up. First up was Guardino Pump &Well against Ochoa Roofing, who were replaying a tie game. If Guardino won the game, everyone else would go home, and AWA would meet Guardino for the championship. If Ochoa Roofing won the game, the second half would end up as a four way tie, and those four teams would then play an elimination round to determine the champ. In this case AWA would be sent home and come back a week later to meet the survivor.

The guys, who were itching to take the field, did not want to go home, and when Guardino pulled off the victory over Ochoa Roofing, we got what we wanted. AWA and Guardino Pump &Well would face off this night for the overall league championship.

The playoffs were being staged this year at Roosevelt Park in old San Jose which, in those days, was renowned for its short and inviting right field fence. The fence moved out in a straight line toward center field, parallel to the third base line, giving the field a rectangular look. Down the line the fence was only 220 feet from home plate.

AWA lost the coin toss, which made Guardino the home team. But AWA reversed that advantage by jumping all over the Pumpers' pitcher in the very first inning.

After Gary Matsushita flied out to open the game, Tony Franklin shot a bullet to left that sailed over the left fielder's head for a home run. John Koeplin then hit a grounder to short, reaching safely when the first baseman couldn't handle the throw. Tom Sukup promptly dropped a double down the right field line, with John holding at third. Steve Barrett whacked a hit to left to score John, and then Mike Applegate waited out a full count walk to load the bases.

That brought Joe to the plate. The AWA rookie took a couple of pitches before seeing one he liked, launching a towering fly to right. The ball hung in the late afternoon sky for what seemed an eternity as the right fielder backed up as far as he could against the fence. His head dropped and his body slumped as the ball easily cleared the fence for a grand slam homer. Joe was greeted at home plate as if he had won the game right then, and there was plenty of whooping and hollering to go around as the team took its 6-0 lead into the bottom of the first.

The Guardino hitters nearly answered in kind as they loaded the bases with two out. The number six hitter in the lineup then took aim at the short right field porch, but his bid for a grand slam came up short as Steve hauled in the soaring fly at the fence.

In the second inning the Guardino players started to come apart in the field. Gary walked to open the inning and then Tony used his speed to beat out a grounder to third in which the infielder briefly seemed confused as to where to throw. By the time he made his throw to first it was too late to get the fleet AWA Tony. John then flied out to left, and both runners were able to move up a base when the outfielder threw wildly back to the infield. Tom then scorched a grounder through the middle. The second baseman made a nice backhanded stop, but his throw to first was in the dirt for an error. Gary scored from third, and as the first baseman scrambled for the loose ball, Tony never stopped, scoring all the way from second. AWA now had an 8-0 lead and seemed to have things well under control.

But there was still a lot of game left, and the potent Guardino lineup jumped all over pitcher Earl Yagi in the bottom of the second, scoring four runs and loading the bases with two out. Only a spectacular backhanded running grab by Steve along the fence in right center, robbing the hitter of extra bases, saved AWA from what would have been a disastrously huge inning. As it turned out, that rally was Guardino Pump &Well's last hurrah. They never threatened to score again.

AWA upped the score to 9-4 in the fourth on Steve's two-out RBI single, but the opportunity for more ended when Tom was thrown out at home on Mike's single to left. From there the pitching took over, with the only remaining scoring threat from either side coming in the top of the seventh when Mike tried to stretch a triple into a homer and was gunned down at the plate.

Earl gave up only three hits over the last five innings and with the aid of two double plays, kept Guardino Pump &Well off the scoreboard. Only one Guardino baserunner reached second base after the second inning.

The AWA faithful in the stands were already celebrating as the game entered the bottom of the seventh, and the team became increasingly giddy as the Guardino hitters quietly went down 1-2-3 to end the game. Fittingly, the last out was taken by Steve in right, who shined as the defensive hero of the game. And for the third time in four years AWA was crowned league champion.