By Don Ketchum

Sister Lynn Winsor is happy riding her Zappy.

It helps her in her role as vice principal for activities and athletic director at Xavier College Preparatory in north-central Phoenix.

Xavier has more or less doubled in size in recent weeks with the athletics project and cafeteria-chapel building that will be completed soon.

Winsor whirls around campus on the stand-up device with wheels (similar to the Segway).

There are three elements to the $18 million project that was produced through fund-raisers and other donations.

There is Petznick Field, home of the softball, soccer and lacrosse teams, the McGroder Athletic Building, home of coaches offices, training facilities, concession stand and restrooms; and the Founders Hall, which features 13 classrooms, a cafeteria, and lab and media center.

The softball portion of the field was unveiled on Tuesday night (March 6) and the Founders Hall is due to be completed in a few months.

There is an announcer’s booth, where Winsor’s assistant, Sister Nancy Perlick, sets up shop. She does her usual solid job (she also does the PA at basketball games) with a good sound system. And she threw out the first pitch at the first softball game.

There were a few glitches, with the portable fencing being knocked over a few times by the strong wind and the scoreboard blinking on and off. But those will be corrected.

The infield is a reddish brown color, and the entire field is maintained and filled in with bits of rubber – Winsor calls them “crumbles.’’

She had an interesting story about that.

“I was sitting in my office and one of the facilities people came in and said, “Sister Lynn, I think we have a problem with mice.’ He pointed at the black specks on the floor. But they were crumbles from my shoes.’’

There is seating for about 500 for lacrosse and soccer, 300 for softball. There are canvas tarp-like overhangs to shield the softball fans from direct sun.

The lights for each sport are programmed at different strengths. And if they don’t automatically shut off for whatever reason, Winsor can punch a few numbers into her phone and voila! – lights out.

Space for the project was cleared gradually over time as the school purchased a group of older homes in the area.

Winsor said the school will save money on gas and wear and tear on its vehicles, which were used for away games and “home’’ games at the Rose Mofford Sports Complex – about an 18-mile round trip.

The softball players enjoy playing on the surface, with its true bounces and fast running surface.

“It was a great experience and it is nice to get the support from our fans. Everybody enjoyed it,’’ said junior center fielder Megan Ward, who hit the first home run in the field’s history.

“We have entered the big leagues now,’’ Winsor said. “I can’t tell you how happy I am for our kids.’’

And happy to be riding her Zappy.