By Diana Lambert -- Bee Staff Writer
Neighborly love: Forman Way, near Florin Mall, comes alive in the evening. Residents sit in groups talking and watching after each other's kids. Mark Phillips was a big part of that neighborhood. "He was a really great family man," said neighbor Bob Lewis. "One of the best fathers I've ever known. Everything was about his wife and his kids." Mark also loved baseball and combined his two loves as president of Florin Girls Softball. While working on a construction job in Portola last year, Mark made the three-hour drive home each Wednesday to coach his daughters' softball team, which his wife managed. He'd sleep three or four hours and then go back to Portola. "He'd do it for his daughters," Bob said. When Mark died in a car accident in Portola in December at age 38, it was no wonder so many grieved. Friends and neighbors want to pitch in to help Elizabeth Phillips and daughters Brooke, Brittany and Brianna. It seems appropriate that they have picked a softball clinic as a fund-raiser. The Mark Phillips Memorial Softball Clinic on April 13th will feature instructors who have played everything from college to Double-A baseball and will offer beginning and advanced clinics. The clinics cost $15, $25 with a T-shirt. All proceeds will go to a trust fund for the Phillips children. For more information, call (916) 685-2531 or (916) 690-4751.
COSUMNES RIVER COLLEGE
APRIL 27, 2003
commemorative T-Shirt
Clinic Instructors with Mark's family
Back L-R: Ruth, Shelley Chambers, Erica Wacker, Weezie Snook, Leann Wacker, Mark's Family (Brianna, Brooke, Liz, & Brittany) Christy Daniels Front: Toni Heisler Not pictured: Janelle Ito, Christy Hollis, Kristi Hall, and Kristen Phillips
The Phillips Family with the prize drawing winners
L-R: Toni, Christy Hollis, Erica & Leann Wacker, Kristi Hall Weezie and the Wacker's taking a lunch break
Toni demonstrating footwork to turn a double play Erica working with shortstops on throw to start the double play
Janelle Ito working with the 1st Basemen Kristen Phillips instructing the 3rd Basemen
Ruth and Weezie showing T-Ballers how to throw Leann at the sliding station - Here comes Brooke!
Lunch Break - Get those Hot Dogs!
Toni giving some hitting instruction Erica instructing at the bunting station
