Formation of the California Breeze Organization

1984: The first Breeze team was formed and they played Majors in a Sacramento Girls Softball League a member of the Nor Cal Girls Softball League. Don Mashburn was the coach and his manager was Carol Turner. Her daughter, Stacy came up with the name for this team. There was a band in the area called the Steel Breeze and Stacy modified the name to Sacramento Breeze. This team was very successful and the following year Don took them to ASA.

1985: In the summer of 1984/85 Don coached a developmental team for the Lady Magic Organization and in September of 1985 he along with his manager Cheryl Hayashida formed the first Sacramento Breeze (15U) team to play ASA softball. They were assisted by Bob and Jackie Williams.

1986: Marc and Clara Allison formed a second team and it was called Fire & Lighting (12U), and they played under the Breeze Organization.

1987: John Hilton had an 18U team called Smoke & Thunder, and they combined with the Breeze Organization. This was the first year a Breeze team qualified for ASA Nationals. Marc Allison’s team traveled to 12U ASA Nationals in Shawnee, Kansas.

1987: The California Breeze Softball Organization continued to grow with teams in every age group. California Breeze made their first appearance at the ASA Nationals in 1987.  Every year since then at least one of their teams have qualified and sometimes as many as six have made appearances at the ASA Nationals.

1999: Norm Sherman’s 18U CA. Breeze, won the Breeze Organization their first ASA National Championship. We also sent 6 teams to ASA Nationals this year.

2007: The California Breeze Softball Organizations 18U team finished 2nd at ASA Nationals and we also sent 3 other teams to ASA Nationals

2008: The 2nd generation of Breeze players Courtney Riley (Dawn Mashburn), Makeena Noya (Shannon Ramirez), Kayleen Minnatee (Denise Jackson) Aaliyah Shimosaka (Sumiko Shimosaka) put on a Breeze uniform to play for our 10U team.

2009: We took the next step in developing our players by opening our 11,000 sq. ft. turfed indoor training facility. BATS opened in Feburary of 2009 with 5 batting cages and a infield area.

2009: The Breeze Organization started developing players with two teams in the 12U and 14U divisions. This took the organization to 7 teams. We also sent 4 teams to ASA Nationals with our 10U team finishing 7th and our 14U team finishing 10th.

2010: The Breeze Organization celebrated its 25th Anniversary and is sending Six(6) Teams to ASA Nationals at a cost of $81,000.00

2011: We again this year will be sending Five(5) Teams to either ASA or Premier Nationals at a cost of $85,000.00

The California Breeze is dedicated to helping their young ladies attain scholarships for their education by playing softball at the college level.  The Breeze prepares these young ladies for the college level not only by developing their skills on the field, but holding clinics with visiting college coaches.  These coaches speak to the girls about college life and give them the information they need in preparation for going to a four year college or university.

The Breeze not only continues to develop their players every year, but the same holds true with their coaches. Consistency with the coaching staffs at all age levels is a goal the Breeze strives for. Instructional clinics are held in the winter months under the tutelage of long time Breeze coaches and softball gurus Don Mashburn, Bob Ramirez and Jeff Alexander. Thank you to the Carol & StaceyTurner, Bob & Jackye William, Marc & Claire Allison, and John Hilton for being instrumental in the formation of the California Breeze Softball Organization.  Thanks to the parents and players, your hard work and dedication has put the California Breeze Organization at the pinnacle of Northern California Softball.  It’s looked upon as a model and example for others to follow.

Special thanks go to Ronee Mashburn. Your support has allowed Don to coach and guide this organization to what it is today. The California Breeze has come a long way in twenty six years!