Senoritas Sought

In a few weeks, on April 25th, the Mercury Senoritas softball team of 1938 will be inducted into the Colton City Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, all of the members of the team have not been located, so the search is on for three remaining members of the team Luz and Linda Arredondo and Lucy "Chita" Garcia, to ensure their attendance at the induction. Carmen Lusan, Estela Pimentel, Mary Rivas, Mary Soto, Mary Rosales, Connie Sotelo, and Ramona Aranda are all members who have already been found and notified about the honor. "Right now, I feel that it is important to find the families of those who played on the Mercury Senoritas. I want them there and to be part of the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies," said Mel Salazar, son of Carmen Lusan, who played for the Senoritas. Mel has taken the initiative himself to begin the search for the missing team members. Although they did not receive much publicity during their activity, this will not be the first time they have been part of a conversation in the Inland Empire, or more specifically, the city of Colton. They have been mentioned in two books: "Mexican American Baseball in the Inland Empire" in 2010 and "Reflections and Recollections of Colton California" in 1998. They were also recently honored by the Latino Baseball History Project. The Senoritas were coached by Gabe Castorena, who also went on to coach the Men's Mercury team, at the Veterans Field in South Colton. They would often travel to Riverside and different locations across San Bernardino to play other teams in the area. The Senoritas disbanded in 1941, and Salazar shares that the induction will immortalize their legacy and that it is only fitting to have all the members of the team present at the time of induction ceremony. Mel Salazar asks for anyone with information to contact him at 909-889-9285.