Last Games Before the Draft

It's so hard to concentrate enough to write about softball on such a tragic day.  I keep thinking about the parents, grandparents and brothers and sisters in so much agony now. Please pray for the little ones that have suffered so much. It is such an incredible tragedy for such a joyous season. 



In spite of the cool weather and the upcoming holidays, 57 players came out to display their talents in front of this year’s managers. You'll have to read the write ups to see who improved their positions and those who didn't.
  

Field B

The National League met on Field B. Two fine pitchers, Ray Mills and Arvil Waddell, met again with different supporting casts from last week’s games. Unfortunately for Team Mills the outcome was the same with Team Waddell taking a 22-8 victory. 

The margin of victory was unexpected seeing that Team Mills first three batters scored when Ron Thompson hit a home run. The slim lead was immediately erased as Team Waddell scored five runs. There was not nearly the excitement as Team Waddell scored the only run for both sides in the second. 

Team Waddell then sent nine batters to the plate and scored five runs of their own. Reg Barnes and Ray Mills scored in the top of the fourth but were doubled up by Team Waddell as they scored 4 runs off Frank Millers triple.

The fifth inning saw the pitchers win out as each team was held scoreless. Each team scored one in the sixth but left two and three runners in scoring position. 

Marshall beats one out

The seventh saw Team Waddell pull further away as they outscored Team Wells five zip. 

Ron Thompson got his second homer of the day in the eighth as Team Mills only scored the one run. Team Waddell answered with one of their own. With Bess being the only batter to cross the plate in the ninth, Team Waddell did not have to bat. Final Score 22-8.

 Outstanding Performers Team Mills

•   Ron Thompson    4 for 4 with a double and two homers 
•   Marshall Bloom    2 for 3

Outstanding Performers Team Waddell

•  Freddie Duchan    4 for 5
•  Frank Miller          4 for 5 with a triple
•  Arvil Waddell         4 for 5 and winning pitcher
•  Jerry Remington     4 for 5 with a double
•  Vassuri Bess         4 for 5
•  Chuck Yarletts        4 for 5
•  Jim McPartlan        3 for 4
•  Don   LaMay          3 for 4

Field D

The American League contested a three team hit parade on Field D.  A new player Brian Jackson pitched for the Hit Squad, Pat Lopiccolo hurled for the Sit Team and Larry Wells lobbed them in for the Field Boys.

The Hitters got off to a great start racking up 4 runs on triples by Roger Edwards and Bob Zelazny with a Brent Alumbaugh double and a Don Keller single. Then the Sit Squad scored zero as they went down in order no thanks to Ron Butler turning the DP to George Radlein at first on a grounder up the middle.  The Field Team took advantage of a Fred Dampier lead-off double and some aggressive base running by Freddy Gonzalez to score two.  

Continuing their hitting ways, the Hitters scored 5 runs in the second inning but he story of the inning was the Sitters plating 6 runs on a long string of hits spiced with a couple of ‘strategic’ walks. The Fielders took a goose egg. 

That's a pair

In the third inning, the Hitters quieted down scoring only one off a Bob Zelazny double. The Sitters doubled that production with a pair while the Fielders doubled that with 4 runs.

After 3 innings, the score was 10-8-6.

Ron Butler led off the 4^th for the Hitters with a triple and eventually scored but that was it.  The Sit Squad racked up 2 while the Field Team plated one. 

The fifth inning started like the first and second with the Hitters thinking they did well scoring the maximum 5 runs on doubles by Don Keller and Larry Powell. But the story of the inning was the Field Hands plating 9 runs thanks to a Russ King grand slam homer through the gap in right.  That evened things up a bit. After 5 the score stood at 16-12-16.  Good game so far.

AND the camera still works!

The Hitters just seemed to keep on hitting scoring 5 in the sixth on doubles by Butler and Zelazny while the Sitters again failed to score. The fielders then plated 3 on a string of singles. 

Then as if to give the other teams a chance, the Hitters posted their first zippo of the game leaving the door open.  But the other teams also posted naughts to finish the game at 21-12-19.  Great way to lead into the draft guys. 

Outstanding Batters

Hitters:

• Edwards 4 for 4 triple
• Alumbaugh 3 for 4 double
• Keller 4 for 4 double
• Zelazny 4 for 4 triple, 2 doubles
• Kline 3 for 4
• Gallagher 3 for 4

Sitters:

• Byrd 2 for 3 walk
• Jacobs 4 for 4 double
• Andrews 2 for 3 walk
• Zakrowski 2 for 3

Fielders:

• Dampier 3 for 4 double
• Gonzalez 4 for 4
• Hamilton 3 for 4 double
• Held 3 for 4
• Wells 3 for 4