Bill Ralston

JoAnne & Bill Bill Ralston

JoAnne and Bill's first date was on the warm sand of southern California's Laguna Beach. They were even accompanied by the transistor radio sounds of a Vin Scully Dodger baseball broadcast. The game resulted in a no-hitter thrown by a future Hall-of-Fame pitcher. Several years later Bill was signed by Dodger scout, Tom Lasorda, to play minor league baseball for the Dodger organization. Many of Bill's baseball seasons were played in the Pacific Coast League. Following a stint in the army and deployment to Vietnam the couple decided to settle in Tacoma, WA and raise their family. Tacoma was also home to the successful playground equipment business that they built along with their dedicated employees. JoAnne and Bill's strong faith in God was severely tested during their 50 year-long marriage when cancer was discovered in JoAnne. This story of love, faith and baseball is fun, interesting and uplifting even in the midst of life's challenges.