As the Point Loma High School baseball Alumni Game approaches, second-year head coach David Wells has plans to keep the 18th annual game, set for Sunday, Feb. 28, light and loads of fun while raising funds for his program during the season’s kickoff event. Wells, who guided the Pointers to the semifinals of last season’s CIF Div. II playoffs with an 18-14 overall record (7-5 for third place in Western League), is excited about adding some thrilling elements to what has traditionally been a casual affair. For example, someone will likely take home a baseball signed by the three New York Yankees players who have pitched perfect games. Wells, of course, is one of them, along with PLHS alum Don Larsen and David Cone. Wells estimates the ball’s value at $2,000. Wells, who won 239 major league games during a two-decade career, has picked up a few other baseball memorabilia items along the way that fans would die for, some of which will be offered in a raffle and silent auction to be held during the alumni game. A widescreen television, donated by assistant varsity coach David Camara, will be among the raffle prizes. Gates for the game, to be played at David Wells Field on the grounds of Dana Middle School, are set to open at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 28 for fans to enter the facility and see improvements including a beautiful new scoreboard that has been added beyond the right field fence. A donation of $5 per person is being asked at the gate, with all proceeds from the day going directly back into the PLHS baseball program. Also on sale will be the popular Pointer dog face hats ($30) and a variety of other team hats for $25. Wells also doesn’t want anyone to leave the event with unfilled space in their stomachs. Burgers will be sizzling on the grill for hungry fans, who will have a choice of donated Hodad’s beef or venison, which Wells will provide and promises will become a Pointer fan favorite. Also planned are $2 tacos and sliders. At 10 a.m., Wells and his coaching staff will begin a home run derby open to all current and former players and, if space allows, a limited number of fans. Each will pay $10 for 10 swings, with the declared winner taking home that $2,000 baseball. Camara is also looking forward to having current varsity members interact with the alumni to hear the lessons and insight the veteran players provide, especially those from the CIF champion team of 1973, like Jim Harvey, father of current junior varsity head coach Kyle Harvey. “We’ve had quite a few guys go on to play Division I college and pro ball,” said Camara, a member of the 1982 championship team with Wells. “They can share their experiences and give them some ideas about what it takes to play at a high level. We want to have everyone feel part of this baseball community, one big baseball family.” In fact, it was the during the 25th reunion of that 1973 team in 1998 when someone mentioned they could probably beat the current varsity, and the alumni game was born. Now, 43 years later and in their 60s, many of these players come to reminisce but can no longer compete against the teenagers on the 2016 varsity. There is, however, no shortage of players from more recent years. Annually, the oldest alums gather to tell stories and share memories before beginning a stretching routine and a throwing warmup period that may or may not be effective. They will likely nurse sore muscles for days following the game. If all goes as planned, Wells anticipates a start to the game as early as noon, although it is set for 1 p.m. A more recent addition to the game is its title, “Battle for the Bull,” a reference to Mark (The Bull) Connors, whom Harvey called “the best pitcher in Point Loma history until Mr. Wells came along.” Connors, who gave up only one earned run in 60 innings during the 1972 season, passed away 1.5 years ago. A large ceramic bull now is given to the alumni game winners, and while it currently resides in the varsity locker room, Harvey promises the alums will retake it. Wells is emphatic about the rising fortunes of Pointer baseball. “We have the right people in place, and now we need to get the community out to support us,” he said. “Those North County schools and others can’t outdo us. We’ve got the facility; we’ve got the ocean and get to hear the airplanes from the base. “We need to push and get the notice out there that people need to support Point Loma High School baseball,” Wells concluded.