Last week, the Division I and II baseball state tournaments moved to spring training stadiums across the Valley.

Tommy Martinez stands all of 5-foot-6, maybe 5-6 ½ in his cleats, hits ninth in the Mountain Pointe lineup and is just a sophomore.

Ahwatukee is a pretty tight community especially when sports involved.

Twice a week I gather nine little ballplayers together for some target practice.

While the cloud of dust eventually settled the smile was almost always present.

Even though Stan Luketich manicures the Desert Vista baseball field so much he probably has a name for every grain of dirt that covers the infield and has coached just about every inning since the program’s inception in 1997, the thing he might be most proud of is something he has no involvement in.

The area softball teams are going to have a different feel to them in 2013.

The area baseball teams are looking for the extended stay program this year.

It's a Saturday afternoon, and a multitude of fans – 25,000 total throughout a day defined by a peek-a-boo sun – meander underneath Chase Field's retractable roof for the annual D-Backs annual FanFest. The day is a prelude to the upcoming season – an opportunity for the Diamondback faithful to snag a few autographs, take a few cuts against a wiffleball-lobbing Wade Miley and, most importantly, bask in the glow of the lovely optimism that comes before the realities of a 162-game season commence.

It’s Saturday afternoon, and a multitude of fans — 25,000 total throughout a day defined by a peek-a-boo sun — meander underneath Chase Field’s retractable roof for the annual D-Backs FanFest.

After five strikes, 6-year-old JayC bunted the ball and stood still on home plate. The crowd cheered and yelled for him to run, and after some gentle one-on-one coaxing — off he went. Three outfielders waited for him at first base, but with an enthusiastic high five, JayC was deemed safe.

After five strikes, 6-year-old JayC bunted the ball and stood still on home plate. The crowd cheered and yelled for him to run, and after some gentle one-on-one coaxing -- off he went. Three outfielders waited for him at first base, but with an enthusiastic high five, JayC was deemed safe.

The fifth annual Tukee Fest Rockin’ in the Park will take over Ahwatukee Park on Saturday with music and games for the whole family.

Joey Curletta, professional baseball player.

Joey Curletta, professional baseball player.

The diagram is titled, “The shot that cleared the clock.”

The diagram is titled, “The shot that cleared the clock.”

Conventional wisdom and Siera Phillips don’t agree.