Tiva Pelter - Mama Baseball 1938- 2002

Tiva was born in Kfar Saba in 1938; was an officer in the Nahal; graduate of Wingate; active in the framework of Hapoel Kfar Saba and Zahal in track and field (was a high jumper and medalist, in the javelin event, in the Hapoel games and at the 5th (1957) Maccabiah Games) and in volleyball (as a member of the National Army (Nivheret Tzahal) team and as the first coach of an adult male volleyball team in Kfar Saba). She graduated ('62) from Sargents College, Boston University with Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and from UCLA ('64) with a Master of Science in Physical Education. Before returning to Israel ('70) she taught physical education at the University of California at Berkeley.

Upon return to Israel with her husband, in addition to raising four children and running a flower cultivation and export business, she was active in the establishment of the Israel Youth Softball League ('78); managing a youth volleyball team in Kfar Saba; instrumental in creating and coaching various youth baseball teams in Moshav Zofit and other locations in the Sharon area in the framework of the IAB; was the IAB Sharon District Regional Director as well as Administrator of the IAB's Training Program for many years; was the IAB representative on the Israel Olympic Committee; was the manager and/or assistant coach of little league and junior teams sent to Europe to participate in European Little League tournaments during the early '90s; was chairwoman of the sports committee in Moshav Zofit; played tennis, badminton and was on the Kfar Saba adult woman's volleyball team until her untimely and tragic death following an brain aneurism while pitching in a IAB minor league game in Zofit in 2002. Tiva was the mother of four children all of whom were active in sports, including running, softball, baseball and volleyball and were members of national teams of various sports.

Tiva, referred to as "HaCohenit HaGadol" and "buldozerit" of Israel baseball, was a woman of limitless energy and enthusiasm, an excellent and understanding coach, the epitome of good sportsmanship and an inspiration to numerous youngsters on and off the baseball field as well as in other sports. Her memory shall be forever cherished.