When Coach George decided he needed more room to stand
behind the pitchers while coaching, it was time to trim the bushes near the
bullpen area. And while trimming the bushes and ivy back at Saturday's work
party, we discovered a commemorative plaque that had been covered up by the
vegetation.
The plaque reads "In Memory of Audrey Helm Mullins Los
Gatos Class of 1949."
Who is Audrey Helm Mullins, you ask?
Helm Field and Helm Gym at Los Gatos High School are named
after Douglas White Helm, a legendary football, basketball and tennis coach and
former principal at Los Gatos High. His daughter was Audrey Helm, who dated and
later married her classmate Roy Mullins.
The Mullins had three sons who all attended Los Gatos High
School. One of Audrey's grandchildren (daughter of son Dan) played and was a
star pitcher for the Los Gatos softball team, graduating in 2004. Melissa
pitched for LG Varsity for four years (2000-2004), but Audrey passed away
before Melissa's senior year.
Audrey had attended every game Melissa played in from
2000-2003, becoming a fixture in the stands. Coaches Marlo Cortese and Trish
Morse wanted to honor Audrey's dedication to the softball program by setting a
memorial plaque in her honor at the softball field.
Although inadvertent, we are very happy to have uncovered
the plaque and once again make it readily visible to all fans who come to a game.
