Manager

Opposing teams can consider themselves fairly warned-watchout for a team coached by Gary Cunningham. Cunningham-lead teams have the tendency to do the unexpected and with alarming frequency.

An innovative and colorful mentor, Cunningham is making the transition from a highly successfully high school baseball coaching career to Women’s Professional Softball. And those who know Gary feel he will be just as successful on the professional level as he has been at Del Mar High School the past couple of years.

Cunningham has the tough job of succeeding Laura Malesh, who retired at the end of last season after leading the Sunbirds to the first ever Women’s Professional Softball Association World Series. Cunningham is a former San Jose State University baseball star and was drafted by the San Diego Padres. He played a year in Triple A ball before leaving the professional ranks to play semipro baseball and fast and slow pitch softball. Prior to the 1977 season, Cunningham had spent the last six summers playing both fast and slow pitch softball.

“I fell he’ll do one helluva job for us,” said San Jose general manager John Bruno after hiring the likeable Cunningham. “Gary’s exuberant personality should be reflected in our team.” “This should be a real challenge,” said the 28-year-old Cunningham. “We’re going to try to cut down a little on the bunting and get more action into the game. We want to stimulate more offense.”

Cunningham’s team at Del Mar are famous for trick plays, many of which Cunningham has incorporated into the Sunbirds’ 1977 playbook.