Long Time No Play

Today's  game, played on a hot, humid field featured three teams, each with eleven players. 

In the first inning team Matta scored twice on hits by Steve Hill and  Larry Chrest.  The sit team scored three times on    walks by Ota, Witmer and a hit by Mundy, a double by Grabb and Sac flies by Duff and Jacobs.  The bottom of the inning field team, managed by Jeff Simon, kept things close by scoring twice on hits by Rivera, Deano and Alumbaugh.  Kirk Coffman contributed with a sac fly.   

In the second frame team Matta scored once and teams Mundy and Simon failed to score.  

In the third inning team Mundy scored three runs  with Frank Jacobs and Larry  Grabb ringing up doubles.  In the bottom of the third team Simon regained the lead scoring five runs featuring Brett Alumbaugh stroking a triple and pitcher Larry Powell adding a double.  

In the fourth inning the only scoring was one run by team Matta on base hits from Ron Butler and Tom Wise.After four innings the game was still close, team Matta-4, Team Mundy-6, Team Simon-7.  

The fifth frame saw team Matta score three times on hits by the top of their lineup-Hill, Chrest, Diaz, and Laffoon.  Not to be outdone, team  Mundy scored five big runs in the middle of the fifth including all five of their batting order reaching base and knocked in by a frank Jacobs homer to give team Mundy a big lead.  Team Simon failed to score in the bottom of the inning and all three teams got goose eggs in the sixth inning. 

In the top of the seventh, team Matta scored one on a  doubles by Larry Chrest and Jim Laffoon.  Team Mundy failed to score in the middle of the seventh. Team Simon needed one run to tie for the silver and four runs to tie for the gold and five to win the contest.  Team Simon got hot at the right time to score five runs for the victory on a lead off walk  by Roy Nichols, hits by Jose, Kirk, Brett, Ron, and a game winner by Jeff.  

The winning pitcher was Larry Powell.  

For team Matta  Larry Chrest had four hits inc. a double.  Team Mundy had Frank Jacobs record a double and home run.  
Team Simon had three hits each by Jose Rivera, Kirk Coffman, Dean Schapler and Jeff Simon.  

This was a close game the whole way and the outcome wasn't decided until the final inning.

RAINED OUT AGAIN!

Sorry guys but Bobby Z reports that the fields are even worse than they were Tuesday so we're Rained Out yet again.  Better luck next week.

Escobar to Zobrist to Loney

It doesn't get any better than this guys.

Escobar to Zobrist to Loney

2013 BOD Ballot

It's that time of year again when we need to elect new directors for our club.  This year we need to elect 2 new directors to replace directors whose terms are expiring.  A link to the ballot is provided below.  The five nominees listed, all expressed an interest in serving as directors for the next two years.  Please vote for just two of the five.  If you wish, you can also write in nominations but you should still vote for only two total as there are only two openings. 

You can vote in two ways.  The online ballot can be printed out and either mailed in or dropped off at the sign-in table anytime between now and the end of September.  OR you can pick-up a ballot at the field and either mail it in or drop it in the ballot box at the field.  We are not mailing out ballots this year. 

If you choose to mail it in, please mail it in to

Richie Moots
24 Kendra Ct
Winter Haven, FL  33880

Thanks for participating

Bob Zelazny, Commissioner

Link to Ballot ...

Michigan Update from Don LaMay

Bob, 

 

Just a note to bring you up to date up here in Michigan.  My softball program here is going great.  We get about 15 to 20 guys out

to take batting and fielding practice once a week.  Most of them are well up in their 70's or 80's, our oldest is 88.  Some of the players from WH Ball gave me their old WH shirts, so we now look like a team.  These are all players who do not want to play competitive ball any longer but still like to play.  I will send you some pictures at a later date.

On a personal note, I would like to manage in the National League.  Not sure if I will be able to play as I am going thru some prostate procedure and radiation from now to October.  Sure hope to play. 

Other great news, after 10+ years of being single (first wife of 50+ years passed away in 03) I will be getting married on August 11th.

 

Hope to be spending more time in Florida after the season than in the past.

Tell everyone I said Hello

As Ever

Don LaMay

Fwd: Administrative Update

 

 

---

From: Zelaznycoast@aol.com
To: whwseniorsoftball.ballfour@blogger.com
Sent: 7/23/2013 10:52:14 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Administrative Update

 

Wanted to take a few minutes and bring you up to date on a couple issues in which the membership has expressed an interest. The first is access to the league roster. The good news is that it is now available to all WHSS players through the web site. In order to have access you must be a registered player and have a gmail account registered with the web site. A gmail account is free and very easy to establish. If you have questions on access, please call Ron Butler.

 

The second issue is the election of new BOD members for next year. We have a very strong field of five candidates for the two vacant positions. The ballots are being finalized and will be posted on the web within the next week. Please download the ballot and either send the completed form to Richard Moots at 24 Kendra Ct., Winter Haven Fl, 33881, or bring it to the ballpark and turn it in when you sign in to play. The election will be open until 30 September.

 

The next issue is the need for managers for the upcoming season. I want to thank the seven folks that have volunteered to serve as managers in the American League and put out the call for National League managers for the upcoming season. We will need at least five folks to step up and volunteer. These positions are crucial to the success of the league.

 

Lastly, a number of folks still have not picked up their long sleeved red shirts from last year. If you are in that category, please see Bob Zelazny when you sign in to play.

RAIN OUT TODAY!

Bobby Z reports that all of the fields at the Diamond Plex are flooded and not playable today so once again we're rained out.

The Board of Directors meeting scheduled for today will go on as planned starting at 8:30.

See you Friday, unless you're a board member. 

Inspired by the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby last night is which Yeonis Cespedes showed everyone how to hit home runs, 18 All Star Players from the Winter Haven Senior Softball League showed up to play ball this Tuesday morning in Winter Haven. There was plenty of sunshine and a cool breeze to really make this game enjoyable. The only thing missing was the fans. And, they missed a hitting performance like you saw last night at the Home Run Derby. Check these stats out. The visiting team selected by Russ King managed 41 hits while scoring 28 runs. The home team selected by Wayne Mundy managed 35 hits while scoring 23 runs. With just nine players on each team, everyone batted at least six times.

 

The game started with 10 fielders. Each team provided a first baseman for the other team. Steve Hill showed up in the fifth inning and played middle infield for both teams. Angel Merced is back from Puerto Rico and umpired for the most of the game.

 

While no one batted 1000, Kirk Coffman, Brent Alumbaugh, Wayne Mundy and Jose Rivera were 6 for 7. Frank Jacobs, Russ King, Miguel Rodrigez and Larry Wells were 5 for 7. Ron Thompson was 4 for 6 with a Sac. In the park home runs were hit by Jose Rivera and Tom Wise (2).

 

Also, remember there are no games this Friday, July 19th due to a fast pitch girls tournament that will utilize all of the fields.

 

 

 

 

Games Cancelled This Week

No Games Today or Friday

There's a tournament on the Diamondplex  so we're shut out until next Tuesday.

See you then.

Elmer Black

We just received word from Bill Ayer that Elmer Black's wife Brenda has terminal cancer and while the prognosis is not good she continues to fight and seek treatment.  As many of you know our teammate and friend Elmer, I thought I should pass this along.  Please keep Elmer and Brenda in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate these troubled waters.

The Rules of OUR Game

In a couple of recent games  base running situations came up that probably could stand some discussion and awareness.

The first situation was this:  With a runner on first, the batter hits a hard one hop line drive that's fielded by the short fielder who steps on second base for one out, then throws to first to complete the double-play. The runner from first advances toward second but stops two or three strides from first base when he sees the force out at second.  The throw back to first is dropped by the first baseman who claims that his ability to see the throw from second was obscured by the runner standing in the base path.  The umpire ruled interference and called the batter/runner out at first base.  This would have been the call had the first baseman fielded the throw cleanly.  Is this the correct call?

Here's the quote from the Winter Haven Senior Softball Rules (key paragraph in red):

XI            RUNNING BASES

1        A runner advancing extra bases on a hit must touch each base when proceeding to the next base.  A proper appeal play may consider the runner out if he fails to touch a base.

 

2        Sliding or diving into a base is allowed, except at first base or the second home plate.

 

3        Diving back to a base is permitted (including first base).

 

4        If a runner overruns a base, he is in jeopardy of being tagged out before he returns to the base.  The base runner must be tagged for an out to be recorded if he is not forced to the base.  When a runner is advancing to second or third base and the base is blocked by a defensive player fielding the ball, the runner must veer out of the base path or slide to avoid contact.  If the runner does not veer out of the way or slide to avoid contact, the runner will automatically be declared out. 

 

Additionally, if the runner’s action(s) impedes the opportunity for a double play, whether or not the attempt was made, the runner advancing to first (1st) base or second (2nd) base shall be declared out. 

The Ump made the correct call.


In another situation involving the same rule, the shortstop flipped the ball to a defender at second base forcing out the runner from first.  The fielder did not attempt a throw to first for a double-play.  The runner from first, running hard for second base did not slide or veer out of the base-path and lightly bumped the defender at second base.  The umpire did not make a ruling and let the play stand. 

In this case, by the same paragraph in red above, the umpire should have ruled that the runner advancing to first was OUT! Even though no throw or attempted throw for the DP was made, both runners should be out.  The runner advancing to second is out because he was forced out at second base in the usual fashion and the runner advancing to first base is out on the interference of the runner advancing to second that failed to VEER or SLIDE. 

The umpire did not call it correctly.

 

Panama Canal Dedicated on this day in 1920

 

Today, on ServiceMaster Field, three evenly matched teams played a very close game that wasn't decided till the final out was made.

Our Fans

The hitting team, managed by Steve Hill, consisted of Hill, Gonzales, Witmer, Jacobs, Schapler, Merino, Matta, Sessnick, Hearn, Moots, and Sullivan. They got the game off to a good start by scoring three runs.

Steve takes a break

It was then Jeff Simon's teams turn at the plate and they did not disappoint. The team of Rivera, Lafffoon, Edwards, Butler, Mundy, Zelazny, Crest,Wells, Simon, Bess,, Mohan, and Lee Baker answered with three runs of their own.

Jimmy takes a ball

The fielding Team, managed by Kirk Coffman, and comprised of Coffman, Scarborough, Alumbaugh, Finnegan, Powell, Diaz, Thompson, Merritt, Wise, Byrd, Gene Baker, and Hill managed but one run despite the awesome lineup.

Kurt whacks one deep

With no one scoring in the second inning, the bats came alive for one team in the third.  Steve's hit team scored five big runs to establish themselves as the team to beat. It could have been worse but for the five run rule as the first five runners crossed the plate. Jeff's team managed but one run and Kirks team scored a mere one run. 

The fourth inning saw Team Hill score three more runs and Team Simon put up one for themselves. It was the offensive explosion  of Team Coffman that was impressive as they scored eight runs to get within one of the leaders. Doubles by Alumbaugh, Coffman, and Diaz were the catalyst.

With the game close, Team Hill failed to score more than one run Doubles by Butler and Zelazny helped Team Simon score two. Finnegan's triple started Team Coffman off and scored the first of their three runs. As  a result, we went into the sixth inning with Teams Hill and Coffman tied. The sixth was productive for Team Hill as they scored the only runs of the inning. Their three runs were aided by Dean Schaplers triple.

Eddie watches one go foul

So going into the last inning Team Hill enjoyed a three run lead. In some cases insurmountable, but not in Winter Haven.

The seventh started with Team Hill scoring again as Claude Hearn hit a two run home run. The sleeping giant, known as Team Simon woke in the seventh with seven of the first eight batters crossing the plate and vaulting into second place. Now in last place Team Coffman brought it with Finnegan getting his second triple of the game and scoring the first of three runs. Unable to overtake Team Hill, Team Coffman settled for a second place finish.

Regis pounds a triple

Final score Team Hill 17, Team Simon 14, and Team Coffman 15.

Key performances:

Steve Hill     4 for 5

Frank Jacobs    4 for 4

Dean Scapler    3 for 4 with a triple

Claude Hearn    3 for 4 with a homer

Richard Sessnick    winning pitcher

Jimmy Laffoon    4 for 4

Roger Edwards    4 for 4

Ron Butler     4 for 4

Bob Zelazny    3 for 4 with two doubles

Jeff Simon     3 for 4

Vassearl Bess    3 for 4

Reg Finnegan    3 for 4 with two triples

Eddie Diaz    3 for 4

Ron Thompson    3 for 4

Tom Wise    4 for 4

John Byrd    4 for 4

Elias Howe's Birthday

Elias Howe was born on July 9th, 1819 and is famously known as the inventor of the sewing machine.  In Bridgeport, Connecticut at Seaside Park, not far from Bristol (the place that Richie calls home), there is a statue of Elias.  Now, True Story ... Richie used to take his girlfriends down to Seaside Park in his convertible, to show them Howe...true story.

We divided up today's 37 players into 3 teams and played 5 outfielders on defense but apparently yours truly did a poor job of dividing up the players even though it looked good on paper.

Team Jacobs fielded Gonzalez (M), Torres, Lafoon, Butler, Jacobs, Giordano, Chamblee, Marino, Leggett, Ota, Sessink, and Baker

VS

Team Rivera with Mundy, Dampier, Alumbaugh, Finnegan, Rivera, Diaz, Wise, Thompson, Barnes, Abney, Moots, and Sullivan

VS

Team Witmer playing Gonzalez(F), Scarbrough, Coffman, King, Witmer, Chrest, Oesterreich, Wells, Hearn, Powell, Bess, Merritt, and Kane.

The tale of the game is in the zero innings. The Hit Squad (Team Jacobs) only scored in the 3rd and 7th innings putting up 5 zeros while they were nearly matched in zero production by the Sit Squad (Team Rivera) posting 4 zero run innings while the Field Team (Team Witmer) only put up zeros twice.

Since there's no point in recapping all the zeros,  I'll just report on the final inning since everyone managed to score in the 7th.

At the end of 6 innings we stood at 4 to 11 to 13.  The Sit Team came to bat and nearly doubled their 3rd inning total by scoring three times to take a solid last place.  

Then the Hitters not only couldn't hit, they couldn't hold the Sitters onslaught. The Sitters sent all 12 players to the plate scoring 8 runs in the final frame to take the lead over the Field squad 19-13. 

The Fielders showed that they came to play almost getting through their order and plating 7 runs to finally take the victory on a fielders choice infield grounder.  The defense even managed to prolong the game by throwing out the winning run at home to record the first out of the inning.  But too little too late.

Final Score 7 to 19 to 20

Key Hitters 

Hit Team

• Lafoon 2 for 3
• Butler 2 for 3
• Jacobs 2 for 3

Sit Team

• Mundy 3 for 4
• Alumbaugh 3 for 4
• Wise 3 for 4
• Thompson 3 for 4
• Abney 3 for 4
• Sullivan 2 for 3

Field Team

• King 3 for 4
• Witmer 4 for 4
• Wells 4 for 4
• Hearn 4 for 4

Winning Pitcher --- Larry Powell

Runner's 1st Base vs Fielder's 1st Base

Within the last few weeks sometime, there was a disputed call at first base and apparently some confusion over the use of the orange base in foul territory.  I thought it might be educational for everyone to review the actual rule.  

The secondary first base which is in foul territory belongs to the runner only.  The defense can only make an out using the white bag that is in fair territory. However, the base runner can be safe by using the white bag if he does so in order to avoid a collision.  This collision avoidance exception is, of course, up to the judgement of the umpire.

Here is the rule excerpt.

8.4 AFTER GETTING A HIT
8.4 (1) BATTER/RUNNER REACHING FIRST BASE
Each batter must reach first base without the aid of a courtesy runner. 
A Double Bag shall be used at first base, the double portion of the bag
being in foul territory abutting first base.  If there is a play on
a batter/runner going to first base, the batter/runner must touch the
portion of the Double Bag extending into foul territory. He will be
called out if he fails to do so, except, in the umpire’s judgment, the
batter-runner is avoiding a collision.  This is NOT an appeal play. 
Important: The defending player has only the white base, in fair
territory, to make the putout; his touch of only the bag in foul ter-
ritory will not result in an out.

FWIW

I was in the Auburndale WalMart yesterday to buy one of those $.99 mouthguards (turns out they're $0.92) and I noticed that they have bat bags including a two bat back-pack type bag for around $25 ...

5 July

With only one field playable, we were fortunate in that only  28 players took a chance on the weather and came out today. That allowed us to field three teams. Because of the roster limitation we fielded ten players on defense which allowed for our percision hitters to place the ball through the gaps with apparent ease.

The hitting team, Managed by Larry Powell, consisted of Reggie Barnes, Bobby Reagan, Frank Jacobs, Bob Zelazny, Eddie Diaz, Ron Butler, Tommy Wise, and Richard Moots. By scoring three runs the  the top of the inning, they took the field with a lot of confidence. It was then Kirk Coffman's team ( Freddie Dampier, Steve Hill, Roger Edwards, Richie Marino, Jeff Simon, Bobby Ayers, Dick Sessnick, and Johnny Merritt) to go on offense. Freddie Dampier led off with a double and scored their only run. Chris Constantine's team  Freddie Gonzalez, Dean Schapler, Donnie Scarborough, Ron Thompson, Josh Wells, Bernie Mohan, Johnnie Byrd, Gene Baker, and Vassier Bess) was watching all this and were eager to show their stuff as they came to the plate in the bottom of the first. They scored four runs off six singles to take the early lead. The second inning saw only three run scored by all the teams. It proved to be the least productive inning of the game.

 

In the third, Team Powell scored two runs off doubles by Jacobs and Zelazny. Team Coffman answered with two runs of their own. Team Constantine padded their lead by scoring three with Bernie Mohans double providing the spark. The fourth inning saw the game tighten up considerably. Team Powell scored four with Jacobs getting his second double of the game. Team Coffman batted eight  as they scored the maximum five runs as they tied both Team Powell and Team Constantine at nine apiece. The inning wasn't over as Chris Constantine lead off and scored to give his team a one run lead. The fifth inning saw Team Powell go three and out, followed by Team Coffman scoring the max (five) when Roger Edwards hit on to the fence for a triple.Not wanting to relinquish the lead Chris C's team responded with five of there own on no extra base hits.The next inning saw Jacobs get his third double as Team Powell scored two runs. These were answered by two runs by Team Coffman and five runs by Team Coffman. Freddie G's homer and Johnnie B's double providing the fire power.

 

As we went into the last inning the game was still close with everyone having a good chance at winning. Team Powell scored five when Frank J. and Larry P. hit triples and Bob Z. got a double. The first five batters scored and it looked promising until a double play snuffed out the rally. Team Coffman came to the plate chasing four runs. They ended up sending 17 batters to the plate as they ran up eleven runs to take their first lead of the game. Freddie Dampier had the only extra base hit, a home run. So going into the bottom of the inning, Chris C's team was chasing an opponent, down sevenur. Four was the common number as that was the total number of batters that cam to the plate. Ron Thompson lead off with a single and then they went three and out. Final Score Team Powell 16, Team Coffman 27, and Team Constantine 20. Winning pitchers were Dick Sessnick and Bobby Ayers who shared the load for Team Coffman.

 

Outstanding performancers:

 

 Bobby Reagan    4 for 5

Frank Jacobs    5 for 5 with two doubles and a triple

Bob Zelazny        4 for 5 with two doubles

 

Freddie Dampier    4 for 5 with a homer

Steve Hill            5 for 6

Kirk Coffman        6 for 6

Jeff Simon            5 for 5

 

Donnie Scarborough    4 for 4

Ron Thompson            4 for 5

Larry Wells                   4 for 5

Gene Baker                3 for 4

Vassier Bess                3 for 4

Joe Hissey

Joe Hissey's Memorial Page is now posted under the 'Memorials' link ...

Memorials

No Games This Morning

Happy Canada Day(+1) for all of our Canadian playing buds. The Commish reports that the fields are underwater and not playable this morning so today's games are cancelled.

See you Friday ... weather permitting.