The players’ achievement was recognized with a guard of honour by players and officials prior to the start of their games – Combe in A1 and Simms in A2 grade.

Both have also played a significant number of junior games.

Simms started playing softball for Airdale in the late 1960s and Combe in the 1972/1973 season.

Sharyn Combe (nee Dienhoff) started playing softball as an eight-year-old for Airdale.

She played in Airdale’s D and C grades for five seasons before moving to Checkmates in 1977/1978 where she played B grade that season.

Combe graduated to A1 the following season and has remained in the top grade since, with exception of one season in A2 grade after her daughter Hayley was born in 1992

She has been an A1 “named player” for many years, which means that she cannot play in a lower grade.

She notched up her 500th senior game for Checkmates in 2006/2007 and marked her 600th on Saturday, February 3.

In her early years as a softballer , Combe played mainly as a catcher but more recently has usually played at short stop or second base.

As well as playing for a number of years, Combe has coached many Checkmates’ teams – many junior girls’ teams, A3 grade and A1 grade.

She has coaching both under 17 girls and A2 grade this season.

Personal highlights include playing in every Checkmates A1 premiership team since 1983/1984 – including 2007/2008 when he daughter Simone was also in the team.

She has won many Checkmates’ club awards and several Port Pirie Softball Association best player and runner-up trophies, and been named in the association’s team of the year numerous times.

Both Sharyn and Simone were named in the 2007 association team of the year.

Combe has represented the association in combined teams many times and was chosen in the 2001 Combined Country Team of Year and won the most valuable player of carnival.

She has played in the Port Pirie Masters Games since its inception, as well as in the Pirie team at the Riverland Masters Games in recent years.

Combe is also a level one umpire, has coached association girls’ teams, is the Checkmates club president and a life member of the club.

Ngaire Simms (nee Warner) started playing softball for Airdale.

Read Simms’ story on Thursday.