CAGenWeb Monterey County Genealogy

[Mary S Taylor]

Monterey Peninsula Herald, CA May 20, 2003
Tragedy mars playoff preparation
Pacific Grove assistant coach dies Saturday of heart attack
By John Devine
No one was in the mood to practice Monday. Instead, a somber Pacific Grove softball team huddled for a team meeting. The sudden death of hitting coach John Roth, who died Saturday of an apparent heart attack, has cast a dark cloud over the Breakers. “It’s like walking into a brick wall and not knowing it’s there,” Pacific Grove coach Jack Henden said. “We’re all walking around in shock. I don’t know how to handle this.” Henden held a meeting Monday for the team to vote on whether they should participate in the CCS playoffs, where the Breakers are slated to face Monte Vista Christian Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Salinas Sprots Complex. Players voted to move on, although with heavy hearts. “I let the kids make the decision,” Henden said “I think they realize this is what John would have wanted. In John’s life softball was important.” Roth’s daughter, Lauren, is the starting second baseman on the team. Roth heped put the Breakers in the playoffs on Friday when she laid down a squeeze to score Lauren Schmitz to give them a 5-4 win in 11 innings over Santa Catalina. Her father died unexpectedly the following day. “To me, it’s all secondary right now,: Henden said. Having captured a share of the Mission Trail Athletic League title, the Breakers will be making their ninth straight postseason appearance. While the eighth-seeded Breakers (15-10) and No. 9 Monte Vista (12- did not meet this year, the two teams have a common opponent in Monterey – with similar results. Pacific Grove was beaten 10-8 by Monterey while the Mustangs dropped three games to their MBL rival by a combined score of 27-1, including a 10-0 loss in the first meeting. “I don’t think any of that matters at this point,” Henden said. “A couple of times, around in the order and you’ll figure things out.” Pacific Grove is tentatively slated to hold a practice today. (PGHS) FAC
Copyright (c) 2012 The Monterey County Herald

JOHN E ROTH 20 Apr 1955 17 May 2003 (V) (FO) (none specified) 553-06-7967 California