684 and 2/3 Triple Plays

Gator Land Field

 (Hitting): Coffman, Witmer, Laffoon, Zelazny, Scarbrough, Borowicz, Marino, Wells, Sullivan, D. Hill, Leggett and G.Baker

Vs.

(Sitting): B. Miller, Bess, King, Jacobs, Matta, Butler, Brennaman, Reagan,  Moots, Simon, L. Baker, and Osterreid.

Vs.

(Fielding): McPharlan, Lopez, Mundy, Bowley, Wise, Schapler, Rivera, Hill, Alumbaugh, Mills, Radlein and Ota.

Summer has come to Winter Haven and the senior softball players are well aware of it. To quote Dennis Borowicz, ‘If you are not playing on the field, you were like a cow in the pasture, looking for a shade tree.” The 3 teams that played, on Tuesday, did their best to find the shade; most of the innings were played quickly. Players were on and off the field so fast, it looked more like a track meet, than a softball game. Runs were as scarce as hen’s teeth. Several players only batted twice, before the game was over. How fast was the game?  A Richie Marino story lasted longer than most innings. However, when Rich finished one story, he would just start another one, regardless of the inning.  Wayne Mundy once kissed his best girl, Eleanor, longer than those innings lasted. Of Course, that was back in the day when they were dating and listening to the Platters song, “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes”, on Eleanor’s back porch. (The year was 1959, for you music trivia buffs). The game ended quickly enough for Bobby Z to make his 11:30 tee time and shoot his usual 84. (Ahem, that’s with quit a few mulligans and 4 foot gimmes.)

Defense ruled the game, in Tuesday's action. Just ask players who were robbed by (Hitting Team player), Duff Hill.  Playing a stellar 2^nd base, Duff sent a few batters back to the dugout not knowing whether to cry, or wind their watch. (I know, I was one of the players shaking my head, after he caught my liner). in all, Duff caught 3 screaming line drives and handled a few hot grounders, in game action. Billy Miller brought the leather, for the Sitting Team.  Billy handled several ground balls at his short field position. He also caught a smoking line drive and almost turned that catch into a triple play. With the bases loaded, Dean Schapler hit a frozen rope, up the middle. Billy was there to grab the hot shot and step on 2^nd  base, for a quick DP. Bill then threw to 3^rd base and almost got Tommy Wise out, for the rare TP. Tommy was a little too fast though; he made it back to the bag in time to get a safe call.  

Here is a little triple play trivia for you to enjoy, according to the Society for American Baseball Research, there have been 684 triple plays in Major League Baseball, from 1876 to April 4, 2011.  In 1973, Baltimore Orioles third baseman, Brooks Robinson, started two 5–4–3 triple plays: one on July 7 against the Oakland Athletics' Gene Tenace, and one on Sept. 20 against the Tigers' Frank Howard. In both cases, Bobby Grich was the second baseman. Playing against the Boston Red Sox on July 17, 1990, the Minnesota Twins became the first (and to date, the only) team in baseball history to turn two triple plays, in the same game. Both triple plays were 5-4-3 plays (Gary Gaetti - Al Newman - Kent Hrbek). Jody Reed was the first out in the fourth inning play and the final out (batting) in the eighth inning play. Despite their defensive heroics, the Twins lost the game 1–0. (Wikipedia).

Back to WHSS action, we welcomed back two players from injury today. Ron Butler had collided with Chuck Duff, a few weeks back, while playing the outfield in Lakeland. Ron was feeling good enough to see some action.  Ron turned in a nice performance in the field and at the dish, he smacked two hits.  We all hope for Chuck’s return, soon.  Don Witmer also returned from knee surgery, to play on Tuesday. To quote Jeff Simon, “Donny picked up right where he left off”, making nice plays in the field. Good to have you guys back!

As for the score and the end result of the game, the Home team captured the win. They managed one big inning, scoring 5 runs, in the fifth inning, which helped them carry the day.  Brent Alumbaugh had the big hit that inning. Brent lined a shot into the left field corner, for an opposite field HR, to help his team.

Final Score:  Hitting team: 9 ---Sitting team: 7---Fielding team: 10.

Leading Hitters:

Hitting team:

Don Witmer, 3/3 with a double.

Sitting team :

Bill Miller, 3/ 4.

Russ King, 3 / 4 with a double.

Fielding team:

Jose Rivera, 3 /3 with a HR, this turned out to be the game winning hit.

Steve Hill, 3 / 3.

WP: Mills.