CHATTER: SERVICE SET FOR FORMER CRESPI AD.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

A memorial service will be held next Wednesday for former Crespi of Encino athletic director and track and cross country coach Bill Leeds, who died Wednesday after a long battle with cancer.

The memorial service will be held at Our Lady of Grace (in front of Crespi High on Ventura Blvd. and White Oak) at 11 a.m., followed by a burial service at San Fernando/Mission cemetery.

Canyon High football coach Garry Welch who attended Crespi and coached under Leeds, has fond memories of his longtime friend.

``I can't think of anyone who was more instrumental in helping to put Crespi on the map,'' Welch said. ``He touched many, many people and had a profound effect on many athletes and coaches.''

Leeds began his career at Crespi in 1961.

Debbie Day is returning to Tucson, Ariz., and again it is softball pulling her to the desert.

Day, the former Burbank High and University of Arizona standout and current Cal Lutheran softball coach, was named coach of the Arizona Heat of the new Women's Professional Softball League.

Day is taking a leave of absence from her duties at CLU but will return when the WPSL's three-month season concludes in late August.

``The people at Cal Lutheran have been unbelievably supportive,'' said Day, who leaves Friday for Tucson to join the Heat in spring training. ``I think (CLU) sees it as a great opportunity for everyone involved.''

Day has quite a history in Tucson. Day, a pitcher and first baseman, was a member of Arizona's 1991 national championship team and the 1992 team that won the Pacific-10 Conference championship and finished second at the College World Series. She also was named All-American, All-World Series and All-Pac-10 both seasons.

``I am ecstatic about returning to Tucson, it's a city I love dearly,'' Day said. ``And the fact that it's going to be all softball all the time, I just can't wait to get started.''

Before joining the Wildcats, Day played two seasons at the Texas-Arlington (1988-89). In 1988, Day led the nation in strikeouts and set seven Southland Conference records, including wins, innings pitched, strikeouts and lowest ERA. As part of her deal with the Heat, the club is allowing Day to bring her daughter, Kylie, on trips.

Day will maintain her duties with CLU while she is in Arizona.

``I'm just an e-mail away,'' Day said.

The Heat will join the Chicago Bandits, New England Riptide, New York/New Jersey Juggernaut, Sacramento Sunbirds, Akron Racers and Texas Thunder in the WPSL. The league's inaugural season begins June 1.