It is time for a bit of spring cleaning, so here are a few items from my notebook . . .

There were many things of interest at the state baseball tournament I attended last week at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, but one of the ones that stood out was the work of the public-address announcer, Warren Dennis.

He was very professional, running down to both dugouts before the game to make sure he had the lineups ready to go when the fans arrived. He made sure to pronounce every name as correctly as possible.

Heck, he even sang the National Anthem. If there were two games, there would be two anthems. It was done in a basic, respectful way, unlike the way some people do it when you think they’re trying out for American Idol or something.

The singing part was no surprise. He was the former choral director at Tempe McClintock.

He also is an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and has been doing announcing at southeast Valley baseball games for more than 20 years.

Thank you, Warren, great job. And thanks to the other workers and volunteers around the state who helped to make the tournaments a success.

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Some acts of sportsmanship go unnoticed, but not his one.

In Saturday’s (May 14) Class 4A Division II state championship game, Tucson Catalina scored seven runs in the top of the ninth inning to take an 8-1 lead against Phoenix Thunderbird.

Thunderbird was trying to battle back in the bottom of the ninth, and after the first out, Catalina starting pitcher Nicco Blank was relieved of his mound duties by coach Tony Gabusi. Blank remained in the game, and as he headed out to his new spot, right field, he was stopped by Thunderbird first-base coach Beau Williams, who shook his hand for a job well done.

You seldom see that happen, but Williams was impressed. It was a great act of sportsmanship.

Hats off to coach Williams.

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Was saddened to learn of the upcoming retirement of Glendale Cactus athletic director Brian Duguid.

Duguid was an asset to the high school athletics community as AD, and for most of his career as a basketball referee.

Duguid still has a lot to offer, so here’s hoping he can continue to utilize his skills. The state will be better for it.

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It looks as if we’re seeing a changing of the spring guard at Chandler Valley Christian.

The school’s outstanding girls’ track program saw a string of 15 straight championships come to an end at the hands of Tempe Prep.

But on the same day (Saturday), the baseball team won its first state crown, defeating Phoenix Scottsdale Christian.

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Out of all the state-tournament venues in any season, one of the best has to be the Rose Mofford Sports Complex in Phoenix, home of the state softball tournaments.

Fans can keep track of four games at the same time on the four main fields, and the outlying fields are a short walk away.