Rick DeSano helped to light the torch.

Now he is passing it on.

The 48-year old Middlesex Township resident will soon be stepping down as president of the Mars Fast-Pitch Softball Association after eight years of service.

DeSano and Bob Onyshko founded the organization in 1997.

"I made the decision this past winter," DeSano said about his resignation. "I just felt it was time for some younger guys to come in and take over. That's what it takes to keep an organization going.

"Plus, I've got a granddaughter and two nephews who I would like to spend more time with," he added.

"It's been a great opportunity to work with Rick," said Chris Stroup, the association's treasurer. "I learned a lot from him, but the most important thing is to have fun with what you're doing."

A new president is expected to be chosen at a meeting this week.

"In 1996, there were a few girls who played in the Mars Area Girls Softball league in the spring and fall," said DeSano. "Afterwards, they were told that they would have to go to Evans City to continue playing in a fast-pitch league.

"Bob and I talked about starting a fast-pitch league here in Mars, and, on Jan. 2, 1997, we both paid $50 for a facilities-use permit in Middlesex Township."

The association began playing at the Middlesex Township Field, later moving some games to Adams Community Park.

Two teams, one for girls a 12 and under, the other for girls 15 and under, began competing that spring in the Greater Pittsburgh Softball League. Opponents included teams from Butler, Deer Lakes, Pine-Richland and Cranberry Township.

DeSano, who also has coached softball at Pine-Richland Middle School and for the Mars junior varsity, started mentoring the 12-and-under team that first season and made his way up the ladder, recently wrapping up his final season with the 18-and-under team.

"Our 18-and-under team just lost in the GPSL North semifinals to North Hills Tuesday night," said DeSano. "That's the farthest any Mars team has gone. It was a great season."

DeSano has coached two of his daughters, Becky (20) and Ashley (17), since the association began.

"That was fun," he said. "But it was also very tough. As a coach, you want to treat all of your players the same. And for that reason you can end up being harder on your daughters than the other players without knowing it."

A 10-and-under team also competes in the league, which has spring and fall seasons.

"The fall is an instructional league and features no playoffs," DeSano said. "Whereas the spring league has a more competitive atmosphere and includes playoffs."

DeSano will still be involved with the league during the coming winter.

"I've coached and been involved for so long that I can't just shut the door on this entirely," he said. "Over the winter, I'll continue to go to the GPSL meetings and help the new leadership get things set for next year.

"And as far as coaching goes, I plan to help with the pitchers over the winter as well, especially the younger ones," he added.

A lot of time and effort has gone into running the league, but it has all been worth it for DeSano.

"We wound up working with a bunch of great girls and great parents," he said. "And we did the best we could for them. We never turned a girl away. If they wanted to play, we found a spot for them."