Grand Avenue True Value Hardware & Sporting Goods

I stopped into the Grand Avenue True Value Hardware & Sporting Goods in South San Francisco because I needed a new kitchen sink faucet – Delta’s Model 200, a classic – and since the name included “Sporting Goods” I could convince my son to get out of the car (he was getting more and more impatient with my quest for the faucet…)

A nice, white-haired woman behind the counter asked if she could help; she took us to the faucet headquarters, pointing out a nice option to replace ours for $84.00. It was a nice option but even though it looked a bit ancient, with ivory-enhaced sailing vessel steering wheel knobs, and a long arched tube outlet, it would have been out of place in our 1947 home. I was determined to find the Classic Delta Model 200. Besides: the last time I picked one up at Home Depot, in 1999, it was $84.00 – but they didn’t stock it any longer “special order only,” stated the nice employee.

She was kind enough to direct me to the large lumber company and competitor Ace Hardware just down the road (“…The way you’re car’s pointed, just go straight; turn right on Railroad; you can’t miss it….”)

Before we left, I asked, “it says “Sporting Goods” outside – I take it you have some?” “You’re into Baseball, I take it.” she respond, clearly observing my son’s Baseball cap. “Why yes, and could you also direct us to the Baseball store in the area, the one with letters in the name?” “You mean C & L,” she stated definitively.

Out of the blue, somehow it just came up as she mentioned a girl who was interested in Baseball…:

I mentioned that girls are not prevented from playing Baseball even if an organization thinks that offering Softball is sufficient.

“She just loves Baseball. All she can talk about is Baseball, same with her brother. She’s good, I mean really good. She pitches but needs some work on that. The other day, she hit it over the fence. She gets going with good extension and wow it goes far!”

When the matter of if and how well girls can play came up, my son stated matter-of-factly:

“It is the bad players who have a problem with girls playing Baseball…”

I provided the web addresses to our sites; gave her our phone number, suggested she give us a call so our daughter could help her; I told her about Star Maker Sports and the opportunities for Baseball training there, in Belmont. “Don’t be confused by the two sides – one Baseball, one Softball – take the left side to Baseball training opportunities….”

“How do I get to the Baseball store from the lumber company?” I asked, assuming : “Go past the lumber company; turn right on orange; left on Grand then Right on Mission Blvd.; it is in the same shopping center as the Salvation Army Store, to the right of it.”

I had heard of this sporting goods store for 2+ years, from our esteemed Baseball coach at West Sunset, Tim Roff, who I was under the impression purchases all items exclusively from C & L. At least, he gets his hats, jerseys, coach’s pullovers from there. During our Friday Night Under the Lights league season, throughout the Fall and into Winter at West Sunset, eventually, Tim posted a long banner on the Right Field wall, dwarfing the small, LED score board, with the name of the preferred purveyor of sporting goods large enough to finally recall (maybe) the name of for those in the stands behind the diamond.

Amazingly, I was able to locate and purchase (grudgingly, at a premium of $32.00 above what I had paid for the same item 9 years ago) the Delta Model 200 faucet. (The nice lady at the Grand Avenue hardware store suggested either driving another 6 miles down the road to San Mateo, to a home furnishings supply emporium – or going “online” (it did sound strange hearing her say the word in such a timeless vintage shoppe in the village of South San Francisco and San Bruno, California) to find the specific model I was looking for. Well, with the discovery of the cause of the leak that was dumping gallons of fine Hetch Hetchy water…

…into the bay by way of our drain,…

…being a pin hole on the copper piping of the older Model 200, I knew that I had to return home with some wall-mount faucet by the end of the morning’s journey (I knew my son would not last the trip to San Mateo.) So, after confirming I could return the faucet, box opened(!) if I needed to, any time, I purchased it; grabbed a complimentary bag of freshly popped corn, the sound and aroma the only things catching my attention – stating it was for my son who was about to kill me for this prolonged agony and transgression, and made for the car, now, in search of the best darn Baseball store in the neighborhood of San Francisco and surrounding boroughs…

The journey to the Baseball Sporting good store was a bit of a lark, as I had never in my 45 years traveled these streets for any reason but now in the quest for a jewel.

When we entered the smallish shoppe in ye strip mall, adjacent to a Domino’s Pizzeria, the large man sitting at the desk did not look up, nor greet us accordingly. As I am known for reaching out to strangers, exuding excitement having not only finally found the shop – let alone remembering the name, I describe ourselves as “West Sunset Baseballers”, that we were aware that “all” items purchased for our team was obtained through him, to which he commented, “well, not all…”

We did discover one of the most amazing sources for team gear, as many logos and colors unfamiliar to us were visible on racks, in stacks and boxes. No prices adorned the items, no doubt available at the discretion of the generous soul who devotes himself to guaranteeing the the South City Youth Baseball Association league players are garnered in the finest to provide the glimmer of hope at High School and College aspirations.

Australia as Pathfinder for Girls and Women in Baseball in the World Today

From the news down under, Australia is building a foundation for girls and women who prefer Baseball to Softball like no other country. I challenge anyone to prove otherwise.

The recent smash success of their 2007 U15 Division gathering shows just how strong Baseball is across their landscape of “Club” Baseball that is all-inclusive of girls, women, boys and men: it is a family activity to play Baseball and the novice to advanced amateur are equally welcome.

When the Ausie Hearts came through San Francisco for the first time two years ago, and followed up in 2007, we were honored by their presence. Watching the women practicing on the 90 foot and the girls practicing on the 70 foot fields at our fog-enhanced Moscone Recreation Center last Fall, Jeneane Lesko mentoring them as their national stars put the women through their paces, each clad in fresh white pants, singular in their blue and red jerseys, jackets and hats, it was awesome and distinct, setting a distinctive tone.

Upon the return to Australia after the first Ausie Hearts tour of the US, its participants were determined to utilize the momentum and enthusiasm. The parents and participants on the local level stayed in contact and worked constantly to build the fabric of a network. Girls throughout Australia could then come together and play Baseball in an annual event. Its success left its participants energized to return home and tell of what opportunities exist for girls and women who love the game.

Those determined to prop up Baseball as an all-boy or male activity can learn a lot from the example set by our neighbors to the south. they are building community across all demographics including girls and women as equal partners. Each person embraces the skill development only Baseball requires. Respect for that accomplishment is earned by each person who steps up to the plate even just to give it a go.