Event Coverage
Team 650 Winner of Day On the Diamond
Event raised over $15,000 for Charity
Over 150 SILVAR members and guests watched Team 650 breeze through the field with hits and runs and ultimately retain their winner's title at Wednesday's "Day on the Diamond," SILVAR's co-ed REALTOR® softball game. The winners, REALTORS® from area code 650 – members from the Menlo Park/Atherton, Palo Alto and Los Altos/Mountain View districts - were jubilant. It was a great day for a ball game and everyone – spectators, cheerleaders and players had fun. More important, the event raised over $15,000 for the Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation.
Team 650 and Team 408, SILVAR REALTOR® members from the Cupertino/Sunnyvale and Los Gatos/Saratoga districts, have been engaged in friendly softball competition. Team 408 took the title in 2011 in Portola Valley, and last year Team 650 became the winner at the game held in Los Gatos. This year, REALTORS® from SILVAR's districts to the north were bent on keeping the title and held regular practices weeks before game day. Their practices paid off. Team 650 led throughout the game, amid cheers from their districts' affiliates.
There were good moments for Team 408, thanks to the quick reflexes and running by outfielder Marc Gallardo, who caught the ball several times to strike out a Team 650 player. But it wasn't enough. Despite their Team 408's efforts, the 650 members succeeded in keeping their trophy, with a score of 23-2.
This year's event was hosted by the Menlo Park/Atherton District. Members gathered at Portola Valley Town Center for the game and enjoyed a delicious barbecue meal provided by Bianchini's Catering. Kai Banks, son of Coldwell Banker Woodside agent Mia Banks, performed an excellent rendition of the national anthem on the trumpet. SILVAR President Carolyn Miller then threw the first pitch, signaling the start of the game. Carl Mitchell of the Peninsula Sports Officials Association served as umpire.
The fifth inning stretch brought an extra bit of excitement for everyone as winners of the drawing were announced. Jan Whitman won the grand prize - a five-night off-peak stay (or three-night off-peak) stay at a North Star townhome generously donated by the Jim Byrnes family (value of $2,500), plus access to two lift tickets (value $180).
SILVAR would like to thank all who participated in the event, and of course, the sponsors who made this event possible, including Putnam Lexus, Tournament Sponsors; Grand Slam Sponsor: OPES Advisors, Palo Alto; BBQ Sponsor: Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Los Gatos; Beverage Sponsor: EverBank, Palo Alto; and Scoreboard Sponsor: MLSListings Inc.
Thanks and kudos to Team 650 members: Team captains Tim Anderson and Paul Skrabo, and players Mia Banks, Buffy Bianchini, Dave Blockhus, Marc Bryman, Joe Carcione, Tammy Cole, Doug Gonzalez, Scott Harms, Jack Earl, Sophie Kirk, Gary Kurtz, Brad Miller, Jim Milton and Jenny Pollock.
Team 408 captain Bill Moody expressed his thanks, too, for the efforts and determination of his team, which included Keith Walker, Frank Grengo, Suzanne Yost, Nathan Nahouraii, Jin Chen, Marc Gallardo, Keith Walker, Felice Hollingsworth, Ilana Nahouraii, Gladys Morais and Cassie Maas.
A very special thanks to Charitable Foundation Trustee Lehua Greenman, chair of the Day on the Diamond Committee. Greenman, who is a member of the Menlo Park/Atherton District, was of course, thrilled with the outcome. She thanked the 650 team, the entire Menlo Park/Atherton District, the District Council, District Chair David Barca, Chris Isaacson, Bob Conway, Judi Kiel, commissioner/coach Jim Milton for all their help and SILVAR's affiliates for playing a huge part in the event's success.
"To me, the 'Day on the Diamond' represents 'teamwork.' SILVAR team members joining together to enjoy the camaraderie with each other. As an association of nearly 4,000 members, we help make SILVAR the number one team!" said Greenman.
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The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.