The core of the Sunbirds team played several years together as amateurs with the Santa Clara Laurels, perennial Northern California representatives to the A.S.A. National Tournament. When the International Women’s Professional Softball (IWPS) league was formed in 1976, they became one of the strongest pro teams. The Sunbirds are led by centerfielder Diane Kalliam and pitcher Charlotte Graham. The team played all four years the league was in existence. In 1979, the team changed ownership and its name to the San Jose Rainbow. This is their story.