Meet Fern Ward | Retired

We had the good fortune of connecting with Fern Ward and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Fern, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Our children grew up in Laveen in the 1980’s and 1990’s while it was still a rural agricultural community. My husband and I were a part of organizing the original Laveen Summerball League and coached our children’s teams through high school. Team sports is an opportunity for parents to get to know their children’s friends and get to know their neighbors, It’s where “Community” is made. When grandchildren came along our children wanted the same experience for their children. They enrolled them in their old league and found that it had been taken over by a group more interested in profit than community. It was very different than how we left it.
My husband and I had just started receiving pensions but were still working so we had some ‘flexible’ income. We figured that we started a league once, we could do it again.
Like minded people hopped on board and we had our first season 11 years ago.
That first season we hoped for 100 children and we got 350.
We are a 501c3, recreational tball, coach pitch, baseball and softball league and we are commited to keeping youth sports affordable and fun.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I retired 9 years ago from America West/US Airways/American Airlines. I was the executive assistant to the Vice President of Safety, Security and Regulatory Compliance. America West implemented a policy where, when an ‘incident’ occured, all parties were brought to the table in a non-punitive way. The pilot could tell his story without fear of reprocussion, the FAA, and the management team could ask questions. Round table discussions resulted in comprehensive fixes implemented because people talked to each other.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
So many wonderful places to choose from in the southwest valley……I’d definitely start at Amadio Farm and pick up one of their famous pies, head on over to our brand new Cesar Chavez Community Center and do the 4 lap mile looking out over the city, dinner at either Mimi Forno’s Italian or Dos Gordos Mexican Food and a stop at Scooptacular for the newest flavor of homemade ice cream (always hoping they bring back lemon cheesecake),

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To take the story back a few years – I am the most unathletic person on the continent. Way back in 1972, my high school English teacher was also the baseball coach and saw a ‘different gift’ in me. He taught me to keep the scorebook. Because of Coach Gerald Hicks from Maryvale High School, I developed a love, passion, and understanding for the game. In addition to Coach Hicks, my husband Richard, who for 44 years has been taking my crazy ideas and translating them into workable solutions, as well as my children Jennifer and James who, if it weren’t for their children; the idea of a baseball league wouldn’t have happened.
Friend and Laveen leader Claudine Reifschneider agreed to be our first president and former City Councilman, Michael Nowakowski enthusiastically jumped on board to help.
Now in our 11th year, the “it takes a village” addage is true. Our Board of Directors is the “workhorse” of the organization and people like our Coach Pitch Director, Mike Brito who in addition to serving on our Board, coaches 2 teams, make things easier for everyone. Our Secretary / Treasurer, Natalie Jimenez grew up with her father coaching in the original league. She too, was looking for what she had for her children, Mario Santana served as President of the League for several years. He no longer has children in the league but continues to donate his time and talent as our Baseball Director. Adam Ochoa is our Softball Director, and Supervisor Steve Gallardo is our Vice President and Major Baseball Coach. We have 41 teams with volunteer coaches and assistant coaches.
The City of Phoenix helps with a Blockwatch Grant and the Arizona Diamondbacks provide our uniforms.
We were even the recipients of a golf tournament fundraiser in the east valley! A group of golfers had one of their foursome pass away. Rich Trumpfeller was an avid Yankees fan and as a tribute, his friends held a golf tournament in his memory and committed the money would go to youth sports. It was a pleasant surprise when they contacted us!
Our league wouldn’t exist without everyone pitching in to make it happen.

Website: www.laveenbaseball.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaveenBaseball/