Ace the Boomer, Don Smiley, the Honey Bear? Names from the 1950s television series? Not exactly. All play prominent roles in an organization that thas been bringing life to Glendale school athletic fields Monday and Wednesdy evenings for the past 16 years.

The National Sandlot Association of America, headed by Steve "Commissioner" Scatchard, is an amazing success story base on long-lasting friendships.

"Most of lthe original members graduated from Glendale High in 1962 and '63 and many are still playing", said Don Smiley Sjogren, a founding member of this group of softball and flag football enthusiasts.

"Its just something we've been doing for so many years. Some of us were friendly at Woodrow Wilson Junior High in 1959, and we've always gotten along really well together".

The NSAA is not just a bunch of guys getting together haphazardly for games. In fact, the precise organization involved is what sets it apart from everything else.

On-base percentages and games won and lost are tabulated by computer and available for study each week. The players are rated by these statistics and designated chip colors from White to Gold, that are used in making out teams and batting orders.

"The gold chips are the real stars", Sjogren emphasised. They're the guys who hit homers all the time. Then, it works down to Orange, Blue, Green, Red and White.

To give the power hitters a target, the commissioner arrives approximately 30 minutes before game time to string up a clothesline for circuit clouts approximately 250 feet from home plate.

A scorekeeper, Cyncee Heintz, and a score board are utilized at all games.





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"We've never had the same combination of guys show up twice since we've been playing", Scatchard said, noting that 67 players ranging in age from 19 year old Mickey Vernon to 48 year old Bob Jones, have made at least 10 appearances.

"We rarely have any fights. If there's an argument, we just flip a coin. Its amazing how quiet a coin flip can be.

Another feature of the NSAA is the newsletter that comes out to announce the start of softball and football action each season.

Due to many factors, including advancing age and rough play, flag footall is rapidly joining basketball as an extinct species of the NSAA sports season. "Is there football after 30?" Scatchard inquired in the 1974 newsletter.

The 1977-78 gridiron season was the shortest and least attended since records have been kept. A state of affairs that is regrettable to those die-hards still among us", the Commissioner added.

The social aspect of the NSAA is another facet that separates it from other sandlot leagues. Many of the players have been going down to Del Mar for "The Del Mar Junket" weekend over the last seven years and for the past two years, the NSAA Night at Dodger Stadium has been a great success. Approximately 20 NSAA fanatics watched intently Tuesday night as the Dodgers outlasted the Phillies 5-3.

Since players abilities vary greatly, an MVP and Chips of the Year are selected at the annual NSAA Awards Banquet. Dave Panfill, a booming homerun hitter has been named MVP a record 5 times. Speedy Rod Rocket, who can also hit the long ball, was chosen the top performer last year.

At times, the awards ceremony rates as the 2nd or 3rd feature of the night, however, due to the seemingly endless celebrating and attractions. Beer has a tendancy to flow like water, and the group has its own version of the amateur hour.

Players take turns peforming skits while others crank out sing-a-longs with a booming stereo, until the magic moment the Awards are given out.

So the obvious question now becomes, how long can this league survive? "We discuss this often over post game beers and realize the odds of going too much longer are not good", surmised Tom "Crabstep" Kick, another Gold chip slugger. "Fields in Glendale are tough to get and we've bounced around quite a bit avoiding Little League and JC football practices. Then there are wives, families, jobs and aches and pains all taking their toll. If we can hold it together for 10 more years, it will be an even more amazing story than it already is."