Nobody's Fool Day

The American League was represented by three teams today, led by our three great managers, Don Keller, Les Jacobson, and Tommy Hamilton. The game started out with great promise. Team Keller scored twice but stranded two runners.  Team Hamilton quickly established a pattern that would repeat itself just about every inning. That pattern was to make two quick outs and then score multiple runs. They scored five runs on seven successive  hits after the two outs.Team Jacobson ran up four runs while having three runners on base when the last run crossed the plate. Team Keller went three and out and saw the other two teams score at will. Team Hamilton scored another five runs, three after the second out was recorded. Team Jacobson caught up with six runs off seven hits.
 

Don's looking for a little help here

The bats on Team Keller cam alive in the third as they scored five runs with Josh Wells' double and Don Keller's triple the big hits. Team Hamilton appeared to be shut down but then scored five runs. Team Jacobson was  four and out after Terry Smith turned a smart double play. The fourth again looked like Team Keller was going to continue their drive to the lead when the first two batters scored. Then with two runners on base went down four and out and stranded three runners. Team Hamilton padded their lead by pushing across three runs. Team Jacobson managed only one run off Frank Jacobs second double of the day.

The fifth was a repeat for Team Keller with the first two batters scoring off successive doubles by Bill Wolfe and Don Keller. Then three and out. Team Hamilton looked to be held in check as the first two batters were unable to reach base. But it was not to be...the next seven batters reached based and went to the bench having maxed out with five runs. Team Jacobson managed three runs with Terry Smiths home run the big hit of the inning. The sixth saw Team Keller shut out, Team Hamilton scoring three times, while Team Jacobson

batted around and scored seven times to make the game close. 

The last inning was exciting for the second and third teams as you will see. Team Keller only managed to score once and were sent to the field to try and shut down Team Hamilton. That is exactly what they did for the first and only time holding them scoreless. The only thing left was for them to do the same against Team Jacobson to preserve their victory. Things got interesting quickly as Les planted one over the center field fence to start their rally. The next two batters reached base and scored off Larry Powell's triple. He later scored on a sacrifice fly to knot the game. 

With the next two batters unable to keep the rally going, the game ended with Team Hamilton and Team Jacobson tied with 26 runs apiece and Team Keller 12. 

Winning pitchers were Wells and Lopicola.
 

Big Les hits for more

Outstanding play for Team Keller

      Keller    3 for 4 with a two triples and a double

Outstanding play for Team Hamilton

    Scarborough     4 for 5

    Hamilton     4 for 5 with two doubles

     Shaffer       4 for 5

       Bercaw    4 for 5

       Holder    4 for 5

      Lopicola    4 for 4

Outstanding play for Team Jacobson

    Jacobs    4 for 5 with two doubles and a triple

     Gazarek    5 for 5 with a double and triple

     Jacobson    4  for 5 with a homer

       King     4 for 5

     Schappler    4 for 5

     Powell     4 for 4 with a triple

       Smith    3 for 4 with a homer

 

Field C

DEFENSE.  Was the word of the day on a near perfect Winter Haven morning.  The visiting team got off to a hot start with doubles by Chrest and Mundy, triple by Hite and RBI single from Klien for a 3 run inning. In the home half with runners on 2^nd and 3^rd and one out, Reggie Barnes flashed the leather that was the hallmark of the day, snarling a hard hit grounder stepping on first and throwing home to complete the DP and blank the home boys.   

In the visitor 2^nd inning the home team returned the favor with 1 of the 3 double plays they turned during the game.  It was Thompson to Miller to Marinacci to end the inning. 

The visitors had their biggest inning in the 3^rd with RBI triples from both Klien and Barnes that contributed to 5 runs, when Baker, Sessnick and Gibson each single to top off the inning. 

 

Dick's all smiles

The home team finally got rolling in the 4^th with three straight singles from Bess, Frank Miller and Thompson before the big hit, a Grand Slam, from Bill Miller that got the home team back in the game. 

 

Frank had a good day at the plate

The game entered the bottom of the ninth with the score tied at 9 and the home team refusing to go home with a tie.  With 2 outs, men on 2^nd and 3^rd the hitter was walked intentionally to load the bases and create a force at any base.  Enter Hector Marinacci who laced a single over the bag at first to plate the winning run for the home team.

The game was so hotly contested that one poor soul forgot his keys. They  were secured and Bob Z has them. Give him a call to get them back.

Leading Hitters

Visitors

Lee Baker 3 for 3

Wayne Mundy 3 for 4, 2 2B

Larry Chrest 2 for 4, 2 2B

Home

Frank Miller 3 for 5

Bill Miller 2 for 4, HR, BB

Hector Marinacci Game winning RBI

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