The Day Before the Tournament

 Well, we didn't get the usual Friday turnout today.  No doubt because of the Florida Half-Century Senior Softball State Championship Tournament this coming weekend.  Most of the tournament games will be played at the Diamondplex or the Auburndale complex if you want to go get some cheap entertainment. 

Dick keeps his eye on the ball

Field B

The National League played on Field B today with Team Waddell besting Team Mills 18 to 12. The first inning saw Team Mills break early with four runs when Moots, Fulton, Merritt, Chrest, MacPartlan Remington, and Sessnik all singled. Team Waddell was unable to get a single runner across the plate. In the second, Ron Augustine doubled to help the visiting team score three additional runs. Team Waddell matched that output with three in the bottom of the second. 

Team Mills went to sleep for the next four innings and only managed one run during that span. In the meantime, Team Waddell pushed across five in the third with Reggie Barnes providing the power with a triple highlighting their five runs in the fifth off two errors and six singles.

The sixth was a defensive battle and resulted in neither team scoring. Seven singles by Team Mills resulted in three runs in the top of the seventh Team  Waddell matched them run for run when Frank Miller hit a triple and scored. 

The Team Mills bats went cold again in the eighth and ninth and they scored zero runs in both innings. Team Waddell scored twice in the eighth and as a result of home field advantage didn't have to bat again....claiming victorywith the final score 18 to 12. 

Along the way, Dick Sessnik took a liner to the head and had to be removed from the game. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Key performers Included:

• Rich Moots     3 for 4
• John Fulton     4 for 5
• John Merritt     3 for 4
• Lee Baker        3 for 4

• Frank Miller     3 for 4 with a triple
• Mike Stepp      3 for 4
• Ron Deem        2 for 2
• Reggie Barnes    3 for 4 with a triple
• Ken Wilson       3 for 4
• Don LaMay        3 for 4

Field C

The American League fielded three teams today with 12 on two teams and 11 on the third.  

Richie's ready

The Hit Squad pitched by Larry Wells got things going scoring three runs on 4 straight hits by Coffman, Borowicz, Reagan and Hamilton and a sac-fly by Keller.  Alas, after that burst the next two batters went down. The Sitters, with Jerry Witter on the mound, followed the Hit Team's mode with 4 consecutive singles by Wise, Marino, Butler, and Jacobs followed by an Edwards sac-fly and singles from King and Mahon to plate 4 runs. Larry Powell pitched for the Fielding team and they managed to score a pair after Al Andrews led off with a single, Denny Schaffer doubled followed by Jacobson and Wolfe singles.

In the second inning the Hit Team plated a pair while the other two teams went scoreless. The Hitters repeated the performance in the third plating two on a Tom Hamilton homer and a Don Keller double.  After three the score stood at 7-4-2.

In the fourth, defense again dominated play with the Hit and Sit squads going down in order while the Field Team racked up a pair. The fifth was again a repeat of the fourth with Hit and Sit going pretty much in order while the Field team plated two off of three straight hits by Bowley, Mohan and Downs.

Bob Zelazny led off the 6th with one of those tape measure grounders that went to the fence for a homer followed by Lopez and Woodward setting the table for a Nick Matta double scoring two more runs.The Sit Team scored one off Butler's lead-off single and a smash by Roger Edwards through the defense. The Fielders plated one when Denny Schaffer walked to lead-off and was doubled home by Les Jacobson. After 6 we were at 9-5-7.

Batting practice?

 The seventh got off to a hitters start with a single by Ed Kline getting around the bases on a triple by Coffman followed by Reagan reaching on an error, a Tom Hamilton double and singles by Keller and Zelazny scoring 5 in their third of the last inning.

And that's where the game ended.  Neither Hit or Sit scored in the final frame and so the final ended up 14-5-7.

Leading Hitters included:

Hit

• Coffman 3 for 4 triple
• Hamilton 3 for 4 2 doubles and a home run
• Lopez 3 for 4 double
• Kline 2 for 3

Sit  

• Wise 3 for 3 
• Butler 2 for 3

Field

•  Andrews 2 for 3
• Shaffer 2 for 2 walk, double, home run 
• Jacobson 2 for 3 double
• Wolfe 2 for 2 walk, double 

 

Time to remember

We need to take a little time to think about a couple of our friends and teammates that are going through some rough water right now.  Don Witmer informs me that Herb Oesterreid won't be playing with us anytime soon as he is involved in caring for his wife Marion who is seriously ill.

On the same note Wayne Mundy's wife Elinor is not doing well although she has made it out of the hospital and into a rehab facility.  Of course, Wayne is spending every minute he can with her.

Please keep our teammates in your thoughts and prayers.  We'll all be there ourselves one of these not too distant days.  Be grateful for every day you get to spend with your loved ones, they're over too soon.

Three Fields Seven Teams

Field D

Two evenly matched teams squared off on field D.Team Davis broke on top by outscoring Team Radlein 4 to1 in the first. It looked like Team Radlein was going to put up some big numbers but Bernie Mohan knocked down a hard liner by Don Keller that saved a bunch of runs. Team Davis put up four runs as ten batters faced George. 

In the second, Ken Ota opened with a single and scored the only run in the top of the next inning. Richie Marino started off with a triple for Team Davis as the next four batters got on base and scored. The third inning saw two runs cross the plate for Team Radlein as Les Jacobson got a double and Ed Gazarak got a triple. The fourth inning saw only one run scored and that was by Team Radlein as Jim Hamil scored the only run.

In the fifth, Team Radlein benefited from a home run by Don Keller as they scored twice and were shut down by a great double play pulled off by Tom Hamilton. Team Davis went three and out.

The sixth saw Tom Hamilton turn another double play with the bases loaded to shut Team Radlein down. Bob Z hit a three run homer and  scored a total of five runs in their half of the inning.The seventh was deja-vu as Brent Alumbaugh led off and Don Keller hit another home run. Team Davis scored three runs from the bottom of the lineup.

The eighth saw Team Radlein go five and out while Tommy Hamilton hit a triple to help Team Davis score twice.With the top of the line up coming up in the ninth it looked like it was going down to the wire. However Team Radlein went three and out and the game was over. Team Davis 19 and Team Radlein 10.

Key Players for Visitors

• Brent Alumbaugh    4 for 5 with a double
• Don Keller              4 for 5 with two home runs
• Art Zakrowski          3 for 4
• George Radlein        3 for 4

Key Players for Home

• Tom Hamilton        5 for 5 with a double and triple
• Kirk Coffman         4 for 5 with a double

Field B

 Field B also had a pair of evenly matched squads.  The Away Team was pitched by Jerry Witter and the Home Team by Larry Wells.  Fred Dampier and Al Andrews got things going in the top half of the first as both scored but that's where it ended.  The Home Team then responded with a five run inning on 5 consecutive hits and a sac fly highlighted by a Tim Gallagher double.

The Visitors then went down in order while the Homers posted the only run of the inning.

In the third, the Away boys again scored two runs off singles by Jerry Witter and Fred Dampier.  Their half of the inning stopped short when Jimmy Lafoon cut down Don Witmer at home with a terrific relay throw.  The Home boys scored three to win the inning.

After three innings the score was Visitors 4; Home 9.

The fourth and fifth were scoreless for both teams but then in the sixth Team Witter got three across thanks to a Frank Jacobs double. Team Wells got skunked for the third inning in a row. 

In the seventh, the Visitors only got two runners on and failed to score while the Homers took advantage of a few errors to plate one.

Shaffer and Reagan both scored in the eighth for the visitors while the home squad plated 5 runs on hits by Rivera, Gallagher, Lopez, Matta, Schapeler, and Held.

In the anti-climatic ninth, team Witter went down in order to end the game at Visitors 9, Home 15.

Key Players 
Visitors:

• Dampier 6 for 6
• Borowicz 3 for 4

Home: 

• Schapeler 4 for 5
• Gallagher 4 for 4 and a double
• Lopez 3 for 3 and a walk  

 Field C

The National League had another perfect day for playing.  Reviewing their stats, the teams were unevenly matched in players ( Hit had 10, Sit had 11, and Field had 10). I can only assume that this was the cause of the uneven scores
( Hit had 3 runs, Sit had 25, and Field had 8 runs). 

Even so, it was a great day for the batters.  

The key batters were:

 Field team

•   Taylor   with 3 for 4
•   L Baker  with 4 for 4
•   Wilson   with 3 for 4

 Sit Team

•   Ravo     with 5 for 5
•   Wolfe    with 5 for 5
•   Waddell  with 5 for 5 and 1 homerun
•   G. Baker with 3 for 4 (would have been 4 for 5 if you      had swung and not walked Gene)

Jes warmin' da bench

2013 Board of Directors

Guys, here's your 2013 Board of Directors and phone contact info

2013 Board of Directors

• Bob Zelazny - Commissioner (325-8098)
• Richie Moots - Treasurer (287-1594)
• Reg Barnes -  Secretary (324-7234)
• Russ King - also serves as Commissioner for Lakeland SS Club (853-8459)
• Al Andrews - (875-3763)
• Ron Butler -  Webmaster (307-5569)
• Joel Freedman - Board Adviser and Hall of Fame Coordinator (498-8549)

Black Friday

We had enough players escape early shopping with their wives to field four teams today. First, we sent Richie down to WalMart because they had a deal on softballs. Unfortunately he never made it back. 

Field E

With players from both the National League and American League comprising the two teams on Field E, it promised to be very interesting; And for the most part it turned out to be exactly that.

The game started slow for Team Mills with two runs supported by Bob Z triple. When Team Wells got to the plate a pattern started to emerge. They sent nine batters to the plate in six of their innings, eight in another. Obviously runs were being produced in big chunks. They scored four in the first and were only denied a fifth by a great shoestring catch by Vasurl Bess.

Team Mills went three and out in the second while Team Wells scored five with Bobby Reagan providing a home run. Team Mills got two runners in during the third but fell farther behind when Team Wells pounded out eight singles and scored five. Team Mills came clawing back with two in the fourth while shutting down Team Wells as Reggie Barnes tied the record by making all three put outs.

The power was turned on in the fifth with Team Mills scoring five in the top of the inning. They sent ten batters to the plate and Dan Hawbaker provided the power with a triple. Team Wells again with their nine batters and five runs. This time aided by doubles by Hite and Mohan.

The sixth was very confusing as Team Mills scored ten runs to take the lead with Dan H providing a double during the run.The confusion came because Team Mills was only behind by eight and thereby limited to the eight runs needed to tie. Obviously upset, Team Wells started hitting the ball and scoring runs totalling thirteen in the ensuing innings. They scored so many that they were denied hitting in the bottom of the ninth.

Team Mills didn't fold as they scored four in the eighth and two in the ninth. To little too late.

Final score was Team Wells 32 and Team Mills 27.

Key Performances:

• Reggie Barnes    5 for 7
• Bob Zelazny        7 for 7 with a triple
• Eddie Kline          5 for 7
• Dave Hartley        5 for 7 with a double and triple
• Dan Hawbaker     triple and double

• Bobby Reagan    6 for 7 with a triple and homer
• Bernie Mohan      6 for 7
• Bobby Hite          5 for 7
• Art Zakrowski      6 for 7
• Ted Taylor           6 for 6
• Ron Augustine     6 for 6 with a double

 Field C

The game on Field C started out fast for the visiting team as they racked up 5 runs and almost batted through the lineup. The home team must have been in shock from this awesome display of batting prowess because it was the fourth inning before they were able to score any runs. At the end of the fourth inning it was 12-2, visitors leading. 

The home team finally got started in the bottom of the fifth inning and scored 8 runs but not before the visiting team scoured five runs in the top of the inning. A pitching change was made in the top of the sixth inning by the home team and the relief pitcher stopped the scoring frenzy of the visiting team. 

The final score was 20-16 for the visiting team.

Great plays were made in the outfield by the speedy Jose Rivera on the visiting team and by Freddie Dampier on the home team. Tom Hamilton anchored second base for the visiting team and made some great plays that took the home team out of several innings of the game. Pitching for the visitors was Jerry Witter and a combination of Larry Powell and Nick Matta pitched for the home team.

Leading Hitters for the Visiting Team were:

• Jimmy Laffoon - 5 for 5 with SAC
• Jerry Witter - 5 for 5
• Tom Wise - 4 for 5
• Joe D'Herin - 4 for 6

Leading Hitters for the Home Team were:

• Larry Powell - 5 for 5
• Nick Matta - 4 for 5
• Les Jacobsen - 4 for 6

On a sad note, Chris Constantine slid into second base early in the game and broke a bone in his ankle. His wife, Pauline, said he will be out for five or six weeks. Lets wish Chris a speedy recovery.   

Tuesdays Lost game

Tuesday's lost game was played on Field B with Team Radlein getting bested by Team Davis 16 to 13.  Team Radlein scored three in their half of the first and then Team Davis responded with five in the bottom of the inning. It looked like it was going to be a day of big numbers. It wasn't to be, as only three runs crossed the plate in the next three innings, all by Team Davis. 

Team Radlein scored three in the fifth with Les Jacobson providing the big hit; a double. Jack Benson started  a four run rally for Team Davis. Obviously tired of chasing their opponents, Team Radlein sent ten to the plate in the sixth and scored five runs with George's triple the key hit. Team Davis managed but one run. 

Joe DHerin's triple and Donnie Scarbourough's double were the big hits in the seventh and eighth innings. Team Radlein scored twice and Team Davis three times. 

The last inning saw Team Radlein put runners in scoring position but failed to get any home. 

Final score 16-13 with Team Davis not hitting in the ninth.

Key performers:

• Dean Schapler       4 for 5
• Les Jacobson         4 for 5 with a double
• Joe DHerin             5 for 5 with a double and triple
• Jose Rivera            4 for 5
• Juan Toro               4 for 5
• Don Scarbourough 4 for 5 with a double and a triple

2012 Election Results

WINTER HAVEN SENIOR SOFTBALL
2012 BALLOT RESULTS
COMMISSIONER			Bob Zalazny		22
			Don Witmer		13
			Richard Moots		9
			Joel Freedman		5
			Ron Thompson		4
Board Members:			Richard Moots		59
			Ron Butler		38
			Al Andrews		34
			Larry Powell		33
			Ron Thompson		29
			Joel Freedman		25

In addition, the commissioner has appointed a non-voting board member to serve in an advisory capacity.  That appointee is Joel Freedman for the 2013 term.

Looking forward to Thanksgiving

Field E 

Dave had the force with him today

Two equally matched teams took to the field on Field E with absolutely different results. Team Wells took an early five to one lead in the first inning with Bob Z getting a disputed homer when Chuck made a valiant attempt to snag the ball hit into the wind and sun. That was the end  for Team Wells however as Team Witter got five in the second as Shaffer and Duff each hit triples.  Each team scored one in the third and then five in the fourth. A double by Dave Hartley and a triple by Ed Gazarak  were the big blows.  Team Witter extended their lead in the fifth as they scored five runs with a homer by Chuck Duff and a triple by Dennis Borowicz, while Team Wells went four and out. Errors contributed to the three additional runs in the sixth for Team Witter while Team Wells failed to score again. 

Donnie did his usual 6 for 7

The seventh found Team Wells rallying and scoring six to Team Witters three, closing the gap. The eighth saw a reply from earlier innings with Team Witter scoring five in the top of the inning with three doubles, while Team Wells managed one lone run. All was not lost as Team Witter only scored one in the ninth. Unfortunately the bats went silent for Team Wells which resulted in the final score of 28 to 19.

Super Achievers were: 

• Joe DHerin     5 for 6
• Reg Finnegan    4 for 5
• Ed Gazarak        4 for five with a triple
• John Byrd            4 for 5
• Donnie Witmer        6 for 7
• Chuck Duff            one homer and a triple
• Bill Wolfe            4 for 5
• Ron Butler         5 for 6
• Dave Hartley        4 for 6 with a double and triple
• Dennis Borowicz    4 for 6 with a triple

Field C

Better luck next time Ray

The National League players competed on field C and had a very spirited game even though the score was pretty much lopsided. Team Waddell winning 19 to 6 over Team Mills. It took four innings before anyone from Team Mills crossed the plate and then they did it in a big way by scoring four runs powered by Dick Mahons double. Meanwhile Team Waddell scored four in the second and one each in the third and fourth innings.

Duff had a big day

The fifth saw Team Mills go three and out while Team Waddell pushed across four with Duff Hill providing a home run.The sixth inning provided the last two runs for Team Mills. The bats went silent and were fast asleep for the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings. Team Waddell could be accused of piling-on as they continued to push runs across in each of the last three innings. As the home team, they did not have to bat in the ninth. Two doubles by Don Hawbaker highlighted the last innings for Team Waddell.

Super achievers were:

• John Merritt             4 for 6
• Frankie Acevedo     4 for 4
• Duff Hill                   5  for 5 with a double and homer
• Don Hawbaker        4 for 5 with two doubles

.

Bucs Football? Let's GO!

Let's get together and see some explosive football.  I have gone to a few of the Bucs games recently and had a great time.  What was missing from these games though, was a chance to share in the fun with my friends.  I checked in with the Bucs ticket office about getting group tickets and group rates for games. We can receive a group rate if we can get 10 (guys/gals) to group together.  We can get a $10 food/drink coupon, if we get a group of 50 people.  This includes blocks of seats together. I am reaching out to the Lakeland Senior Softball League and the Winter Haven Senior Softball league to see if there is interest in going to the game.  You can also invite friends and family to join in on the fun. We will have a great time!

If you are interested in going to a game please see me, sign up, or email me. (mattaproductions@hotmail.com)

Here are the games and dates available:

Sunday, 12/9, 1 PM game, Bucs Vs Eagles. Tickets cost $35.00 for upper level (lower rows) and $75.00 for End Zone, (very nice seats).
(They are expecting a sell out for this game, so we need to act quickly).

Sunday, 12/23, 1 PM game, Bucs Vs Rams.  Tickets cost $35.00 for upper level (lower rows) and $75.00 for End Zone, (very nice seats).
(There is a concert after this game).  This would be a fun way to enter into the Christmas season.

We can purchase tickets in both areas for those who are interested in preferred seating.

If there is enough interest we will organize a tailgate.  We will meet early on game day, (9:30 AM), to commute to the game.

Regards,

Nick Matta

Three Great Cool & Windy Games

Field C

Six teams took to the field today and played some very impressive softball. The National Leaguers on Field C fought it out scoring a total of 51 runs. Team Waddell besting Team Mills 29 to 22. 

Both Teams managed five runs in the first inning and added a single run in the second. Key hits were a homer by Waddell and a triple by Augustine. 

Team Waddell scored five in the third highlighted by doubles off the bats of Chrest and Waddell. Team Mills was shut out. Team Mills doubled Team Waddell's total in the fifth despite a home run by Chrest. 

Team Mills took the lead with four in the sixth with a double by Chrest and triple by Wilson. Team Waddell brought ten batters to the plate in the seventh and added four runs. Team Mills crossed the plate three times. 

In the eighth Team Mills padded their lead when the first five batters crossed the plate. Team Waddell fell farther behind when they were five and out. 

Larry's all smiles

With a big lead going into the ninth Team Waddell managed seven runs on a triple by Chrest and another homer by Waddell. Team Mills then went three and out and ended up with the loss.

Final Score Team Waddell 29 - Team Mills 22

Arvil holds up the canopy

Outstanding efforts were turned in by:

• Larry Chrest    5 for 6 with 2 doubles and two homers
• Arvil Waddell    5 for 5 with two homers
• Ken Wilson      4 for 6 with a triple
• Richard Moots    6 for 6
• Elmer Black        4 for 5
• Mike Stepp        5 for 5
• Bobby Allen        5 for 5 with a homer and a double
• Jimmie McPartlan    4 for 5
• Don Hawbaker    4 for 5

Field B

A real nail biter was played on Field B when Team Davis rallied for ten runs in the top of the ninth to erase a six run lead held by Team Matta. Until then the game was never close as Team Matta built a five to one lead in the first inning with a triple by Toro, a Homer by Borowicz, and a double by Schapler. 

The lead increased in the second when Team Davis went three and out while Team Matta pushed across four. Singles by both teams resulted in three and four runs scored respectively. 

Team Davis utilized the catch up rule to score six runs in their half of the fourth with Freddie Dampier providing a four bagger. A two run homer by Juan Toro allowed Team Matta to retake the lead. Hard to believe but multiple singles by both teams resulted in five run innings for both teams.

Nick catches a break

Team Davis scratched out three runs in the top of the seventh. Juan Toro supplied the homer that brought three runs in during the bottom of the ending to erase the deficit and retake the lead.The bats from Team Davis must have been resting up for the ninth as they went four and out. 

Larry Powell and Ray Roy provided the scoring for Team Matta in the eighth and left them with a comfortable lead. 

Not to go down without a fight, Team Davis sent eleven batters to the plate in the top of the ninth and scored ten runs to take the lead . Key hits were  Freddie Dampier's double and homer, and John Byrds homer. Team Matta not to be outdone came back with three runs aided by Russ King's triple. 

Final score Team Matta 33, Team Davis 32.


Outstanding efforts by:

• Jose Rivera    4 for 5
• Juan Toro        5 for 6 with two homers and a triple
• Dean Schapler     5 for 6
• Larry Powell    5 for 6
• Nick Matta        5 for 6
• Freddie Dampier    4 for 4  with two homers and a double
• Freddie Gonzalez    5 for 7
• Art Zarkowski          5 for 7
• John Bryd            6 for 7 with one home run.

  Field D

Larry pitched the Home Team

The line-ups on Field D provided another one of those sparkling defensive struggles with hardly an error on either side and some seriously crushed balls in the mix.

In the first the visitors went down after 5 batters with no score leaving two stranded.  The Home team responded with three quick runs and then three quick outs.  The play of the inning was turned in by, (who else) Jimmy Lafoon, who threw out Don Held at third as Don tried to stretch a three run double down the left field line (an opposite field line drive) into a three bagger.

In the second, the visitors (pitched by Jerry Witter) got one on the board as Bob Reagan's triple scored Sam Lopez but there it ended.  The Home team (pitched by Larry Wells) went down in order.

Roger Edwards scored for the Visitors in the third.  That one run inning was matched by the Home team who scored one of their own. Don Held again tried the opposite field trick shot but was foiled by Ron Butler who ran down the slicing liner.

After 3 the score was 2-3

The Visitors went down scoreless again in the fourth but the Home team managed to capitalize on Bob Zelazny's lead-off triple to plate one.

Roger Edwards and Ron Butler led off the fifth with a pair of singles and managed to score on a Jimmy Lafoon single and a Sam Lopez sac-fly to tie the game at 4.  The Home squad went down without a fight.  It seems they kept hitting grounders up the middle but into the glove of Bob Reagan who not only snagged the hot shots but turned them into double plays.

Way to go Bob!

In the sixth the Visitors only got one runner on base and failed to score. In the Home half Bob Zelazny's lead-off double ended up scoring but that was all for them.

The score was 4-5 after 6.

Then the visitors showed their stuff scoring 5 runs in the 7th highlighted by triple triples as Edwards, Jacobson and Lopez all crushed shots that went to the fence.  Singles by Butler, Lafoon and Hartley completed the visitors half without making an out.  The Home team, meanwhile, did the exact opposite and only managed to get 4 runners on base the rest of the way ... they went scoreless in the 7th, 8th and 9th.

The Game ended with the final score at 9-5. Victory to Jerry Witter and an extraordinarily well played game for all.

Batting Highlights Included:

Visitors:

• Roger Edwards 3 for 5 triple
• Ron Butler 3 for 5
• Les Jacobson 4 for 5 triple

Home:

• Richie Marino 3 for 4

RCB