Home run trot: Chico Peppers Field officially dedicated

CHICO — Separated by 10 years in age and miles of highway, Leslie Allen and Terri Moore once formed a dynamic duo on the softball diamond.With other standout players on the field as well as in the dugout at Hooker Oak Park, these Chico Peppers teammates proved pitcher-catcher batterymates who helped power a dynastic, pioneering program. They have the awards to prove it, notably gold and silver medals from World Masters Games to go along with national championships hardware.

They’re not alone. In the team’s heyday, spanning the 1970s and ’80s, a lengthy list of Peppers sustained greatness. None speak long about those days without mentioning Joan Wallace, their revered coach, who elevated players to unprecedented heights after moving from Connecticut for a job at Chico State and transforming this team that had formed a half-decade earlier.



A historical marker sign identifies newly dedicated Chico Peppers Field at Hooker Oak Park in Chico, California on Friday, April 25, 2025. (Evan Tuchinsky/Enterprise-Record)Holli Drobny, administrative director for the Chico Area Recreation and Park District, stands along the home plate fence overlooking newly dedicated Chico Peppers Field at Hooker Oak Park in Chico, California on Friday, April 25, 2025. (Evan Tuchinsky/Enterprise-Record)Teammates Terri Moore, left, and Leslie Allen share a light moment by home plate at newly dedicated Chico Peppers Field at Hooker Oak Park in Chico, California on Friday, April 25, 2025.

(Evan Tuchinsky/Enterprise-Record)Show Caption1 of 3A historical marker sign identifies newly dedicated Chico Peppers Field at Hooker Oak Park in Chico, California on Friday, April 25, 2025. (Evan Tuchinsky/Enterprise-Record)ExpandTheir fans became legion. The Peppers drew massive crowds from all over the north state to regular games and the popular, competitive Chico Invitational.

Allen and Moore recalled the environment as they looked out at the field Friday afternoon.“We got to play the sport we loved in a town that we loved and a town that was really supportive,” Allen said, seated in the dugout they used and wearing a jacket embroidered with the name of her mother, Jeanne. She came down for the weekend from Redding; Moore came over from Willows, where she grew up and still lives.

Twenty-four hours later, despite rainy weather, they drew another crowd — three-dozen players and around 10 times that many supporters — for the official dedication of Chico Peppers Field at the place where they grew their legend.The Chico Area Recreation and Park District (CARD) decided earlier in the year to recognize the Peppers with this renaming. Saturday afternoon, at the dedication ceremony, local and state representatives presented proclamations and — after remarks from them, CARD’s Holli Drobny, emcee Gayle Hutchison, Allen and founding Pepper Dale Edson — teammates shared more laudatory words.

“May every player who steps on this field feel the legacy beneath their feet and in their hearts,” Drobny said.Chico Peppers player Chris Elze, center, speaks with NorCal Peppers Reese Brunemeyer, left, and Isabella Cummings before the Chico Peppers Field dedication ceremony at Hooker Oak Park in Chico, California on Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Evan Tuchinsky/Enterprise-Record)Carli Drobny, 12, plays catch as attendees arrive for the Chico Peppers Field dedication ceremony at Hooker Oak Park in Chico, California on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

(Evan Tuchinsky/Enterprise-Record)Leslie Allen, far left, addresses her teammates, background, and other attendees of the Chico Peppers Field dedication ceremony at Hooker Oak Park in Chico, California on Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Evan Tuchinsky/Enterprise-Record)Show Caption1 of 3Chico Peppers player Chris Elze, center, speaks with NorCal Peppers Reese Brunemeyer, left, and Isabella Cummings before the Chico Peppers Field dedication ceremony at Hooker Oak Park in Chico, California on Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Evan Tuchinsky/Enterprise-Record)ExpandLindsey Nadeau, board member of Chico Softball Little League, celebrated the “groundbreaking efforts of the Chico Peppers,” for whom the NorCal Peppers travel team is named.

Those teens attended as well.“Softball’s momentum is growing faster than ever,” Nadeau said. “The glass ceiling for softball has been broken, and it all starts here on fields like this one.

”Dale Edson, one of the founding players, capped her reminiscences by saying, “On behalf of the Peppers, even the old ones, we thank you so very much for the support you provided and the community provided.”Teammates then huddled near the right field line and — with a shout of “Peppers, take the field!” — spread across the infield and outfield to stand in their old positions. They then repeated their signature cheer: ““Hip, hip .

.. hooray! Hip, hip .

.. hooray! Hooray .

.. hip, hip!”Rich rootsDrobny, administrative director for CARD, said the dedicating the field — a first for the district with a group instead of an individual — was “a really easy decision” for the agency and its board.

Growing up, she didn’t see the Peppers play, she just knew the Peppers as the Little League softball team everyone wanted to play for.She unknowingly followed the trail they blazed; now, too, do Drobny’s daughters, ages 9 and 12, who play youth softball.The full history of the Peppers requires a dissertation to tell.

In summary, the team began play in 1962, some three decades after fastpitch softball came to Chico. That preceded Title IX and the myriad opportunities for girls and women in athletics.Teammates huddle up and shout, “Peppers, take the field!” before doing just that during the Chico Peppers Field dedication ceremony at Hooker Oak Park in Chico, California on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

(Evan Tuchinsky/Enterprise-Record)Sally Pearson, foreground, gestures to her teammates as she reminisces during the Chico Peppers Field dedication ceremony at Hooker Oak Park in Chico, California on Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Evan Tuchinsky/Enterprise-Record)Show Caption1 of 2Teammates huddle up and shout, “Peppers, take the field!” before doing just that during the Chico Peppers Field dedication ceremony at Hooker Oak Park in Chico, California on Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Evan Tuchinsky/Enterprise-Record)ExpandWallace, formerly with the international powerhouse Raybestos Brakettes, became coach in 1967; between then and 1983, with a resurgence in the 1990s, the Peppers racked up wins, titles and accolades.

“I’m just really proud,” Moore said Friday, “because I followed some really great players who taught me how to behave, be sportsmanlike — sportswomanlike — and how to play the game the right way, to love it, respect it.”Wallace’s influence persisted: “Now, we find ourselves doing what she did,” Moore continued, “coaching the way she did, respecting things the way that she did.”Related ArticlesAquatic complex breaking groundCARD considers taking on more of Chico’s parksClaudine’s Garden to honor Rosie the Riveter at Chico Veterans Memorial ParkA quarter-century removed from their last hurrah, the Peppers remain close.

They gather regularly for reunions and life events, which unfortunately also include memorials. Peppers travel together, play golf together and, most of all, celebrate together.The latter was evident Saturday afternoon.

Edson and Allen gave different estimates of the all-time number of players — more than 60? more than 100? — but either way, a good portion gathered. After a few additional remembrances, the Peppers made their way to home plate for a group photo.A comment from Allen synthesized the day: “I’m blown away.

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