Scoring Big

Gene Lines One Up

Only 28 players made it to the ballpark today. It was decided to field three 10 man teams (10-9-9) and float two players as needed. Many of our regulars were missing, so a lot of the players weren't playing at their normal positions. Substitute Runner Rules were suspended. If it sounds like there were a few holes on defense, lets just say when the game finally ended at noon, 80 runs had scored.

Team Wells (hit) got things rolling, leading off the game with four runs, and we were off to the races. Team Thompson (sit) got five in their at bat.  The fifth run was scored after a great throw by center fielder, Fred Dampier, and grab by catcher Gene Baker that just missed getting Ron Thompson at the plate. Team Matta (field) managed three in the bottom of the 1st. The totals after he first inning, 4-5-3 .

This pattern continued and after two the score stood at 9-9-7. Russ King had a chance to put his team ahead but only managed a bases loaded triple rather than the grand slam homer that everyone except Russ thought he had hit. 

In the bottom of the third, Team Matta needed and got seven runs to catch up . Thanks in part to John Merritt's two hits in the inning as they batted around. At the end of three the score was 14-9-14.

After a quiet 4th, things heated up. Team Wells scored five, keyed by Don Scarborough smacking the 4th of his six hits. Team Thompson got seven to catch up, led by Freddie Gonzalez getting a triple and a double. Team Matta took the lead after posting 5, with Jose Rivera getting his 5th straight hit. After five we stood at 19-19-21.

The 6th started with a bang,Team Wells four, Team Thompson seven, Team Matta three. At the end of six we had scores of 23-20-24 .

By the 7th everyone was getting hot and tired. Two players had to leave and the defense was getting a little porous. Team Wells got two, Team Thompson sent 15 men to the plate and scored eleven runs to take a commanding 25-31-24 lead. Team Matta did not score in the bottom of the 7th, and finally the game was over . 

Final score 25-31-24

Stars 
Defense Clair Auchey, Chris Constantine, Fred Dampier, Jose Rivera, Don Scarborough

Offense Don Scarborough 6-6, Fred Dampier 5-5-w, Jose Rivera 6-7, Juan Toro 5-6, Ron Thompson 5-6, Rich Moots 5-6

Clair Auchey played his last game with us today at Winter Haven . Clair is moving to the Villages, where he will be among old friends and playing a lot of golf as well as softball . After the game Clair addressed the group, saying that he will miss playing softball with us but will miss the comradeship more. Clair had his usual good day, going 5 for 7 and playing a very good right center-field. We will miss you Clair ! Good luck.

Claire

New  player Larry Young joined us today. Welcome Larry!  

Larry is 68 and just retired Friday from Juice Bowl in Lakeland . He lives in Winter Haven and is originally from Davenport, Iowa . After not playing ball for twenty years, Larry showed signs of rust but had two hits and made a nice catch in right field. When Larry gets a few  more games under his belt he will be a fine player.