NOTES AND QUOTES for a Friday in the Napa Valley:

The Napa Valley Girls Fastpitch Association, an ASA-sanctioned recreational spring and summer softball league involving players ages 13 to 19, begins its 60th year in town with Opening Day ceremonies Saturday starting at 10 a.m. at Napa Kiwanis Park. The historic field is located at 703 Coombs St. in Napa.

Each of the five major division teams — Kiwanis Club of Napa, Fosters Freeze, Jonesy’s, Coleman Insurance and Napa Valley Engraving — will play a 16-game schedule.

The six senior division teams — Conwell Insurance, Fazerrati’s, Branagan Insurance, Bicycle Works, MIV Insurance and Silverado Veterinary — will each play 15 games.

“We’re excited just to get started,” said Dale Rosemeyer, the NVGFA president who doubles as the manager for Bicycle Works. “It’s a year worth of preparation and at this point in time, everybody, including managers, coaches and players, are raring to just get on the dirt and have a good time at this point.

“It’s a weekend that everybody’s anticipating. We’ve got the field in good shape.”

Opening Day games have Kiwanis against Fosters (noon) and Jonesy’s against Coleman (2 p.m.) in the major division, followed by Conwell vs. Silverado Vet (4 p.m.), Fazerrati’s vs. MIV (6 p.m.), and Branagan vs. Bicycle Works (8 p.m.) in senior division action.

The regular season is followed by the playoffs and championship games in July.

Youths from Napa, American Canyon, St. Helena and Calistoga play in the popular league.

“It’s good structure for them to be involved in this league,” said Rosemeyer, who is in his 15th year with the NVGFA. “It teaches them a lot of things that are going to carry over into life — learning how to do the teamwork, relying on other folks, and being responsible yourself.

“I think it’s a great environment for them to grow up in. They’re having a good time.”

Lynn Nichols, president of the Kiwanis Club of Napa, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch during Opening Day festivities.

Jessica Brady will sing the national anthem.

The league has long-range plans to rebuild its snack bar and make improvements to the center-field scoreboard.

“We’re looking forward to some new renovations to occur in the next couple of years,” said Rosemeyer.

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The Solano Community College-Fairfield women’s basketball team honored Allie Davison, a 2008 Napa High School graduate, with the Falcon Award. It’s for academic excellence.

Solano and Contra Costa-San Pablo tied for the Bay Valley Conference title.

Davison, who played basketball for coach Darci Lewis at Napa High for two years, was also given the President’s Award for the highest GPA on the Solano team.

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There are only 12 weeks remaining to earn an automatic spot on either the U.S. or International Teams for the 2009 Presidents Cup to be played Oct. 8-11 at Harding Park Golf Course in San Francisco.

The top 10 U.S. players on the points list will qualify for the team while the top 10 International players will qualify based upon their standing on the Official World Golf Ranking. The automatic qualifiers will be decided on Aug. 16, following the PGA Championship.

U.S. Team captain Fred Couples and International Team captain Greg Norman will each make two captain’s choices on Sept. 8 to round out the sides for the eighth Presidents Cup.

Overall, the U.S. holds a 5-1-1 lead in The Presidents Cup.

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Orange Coast College-Costa Mesa and Mt. San Antonio College-Walnut won California Community College Athletic Association baseball and softball titles.

Orange Coast beat San Joaquin Delta-Stockton 10-7 in the baseball finals.

Mt. San Antonio captured the softball title, beating Sierra-Rocklin in the finals, 7-1.

E-mail Executive Sports Editor Marty James at mjames@napanews.com or call 256-2223.