Tom Smedes founded Softball West Magazine in 1983 while working in the art department at Crane Press, a printer of tabloid publications. He has worked as an art director, graphic artist and photographer. Tom has been a softball player for over 23 years. In 1985 he was named Second Team All Northern Nevada Shortstop. Last year he was named MVP of the Gardnerville Pre-season Tournament. His team, Smoke Softball Club, has played competitive softball all over the western United States and Mexico. Tom and his team also run one of the west's largest softball tournaments, the Smoke Softball Tournament, which consistently draws over 100 teams. Tom has coached softball and baseball at various levels and is the head instructor for the City of Sparks' Pony Tail Program.