Tim Gallagher Update

Many of you know and play ball with Tim Gallagher either here in Winter Haven, Lakeland or Nalcrest and I wanted to let you know that Tim's wife Helen is having a very difficult time with her health and that most of Tim's time these days is devoted to her care.  Please keep Tim & Helen in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this difficult time.

No Games Today!

The fields are still under water and today Bobby Z reports that they are in worse shape than he's ever seen them!  Sorry guys maybe next week.
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Don't forget to Vote!

Just a couple of quick notes.

Don't forget to vote for the Board of Directors.  You can download the ballot HERE and either mail it in or drop it off at the ball park (when we're not rained out). 

AND speaking of rained out ... by my count we've been rained out 12 times since the first of the year and games have been canceled twice due to tournaments.  Just FYI.

Rained Out Yet Again!

Bobby Z reports that the fields are flooded again so we've cancelled today's games.  The puddles in the outfield are bigger and deeper than those on the dirt.  We'll try again Friday.  Thanks for your patience.

Ron

Update on Nick

I spoke with Nick this evening.  It sounds like he's been through the mill.  He has been in a lot of pain; so bad that at times it'll bring tears to his eyes in spite of the drugs.  He's getting physical therapy but that's been an uphill battle for him too. The therapist seems to want him to bend his knee more than the pain allows and the swelling tends to limit his movement. 

He took a little time off from the PT over the weekend though and the swelling came down a bit and today's PT session went a little better so I think he's starting to see some progress.  His goal is to be back on the ball field sometime this November.  We certainly hope so.  Please keep Nick in your thoughts and prayers guys.  I'm sure this has not been easy on Lisa or the girls either. 

Ron

Rained OUT Today!

The fields at the Diamondplex are flooded again. Yesterday's storms just dumped much rain for the fields to dry out so we're rained out yet again.  No beer Friday this week.

See you Tuesday ... weather permitting.

By the way, don't forget to vote for the Board of Directors, especially you out of town guys.  You can print out the ballot from the web page and mail it in to Richie Moots.  For the guys that are coming to the ball park (when we're not rained out), just ask for a ballot, fill it out and turn it in.

The ballot linky is here:

Graig Nettles Birthday

Yep  Ole corked bat himself was born on this day Aug 20, 1944 ... hey he's our age!

The Hit Squad made up of Dampier, Grabb, Toro, Jacobs, Lafoon, Mundy, Thompson, Mahon, Simon, Moots, Barnes and Gibson .... had one of those feast or famine type games where they either put up the old goose egg or scored 5 runs.  A triple by Jacobs in the first and another by Toro in the seventh were the highlights.

The Sit team also with 12 players consisted of Rivera, Gonzalez, Witmer, Butler, King, Chrest, Miller, Wells, Oesterreich, Merritt, Bowley, and Baker.  They too put up zeros about every other inning  highlighted by a Larry Wells double in the seventh and Jose Rivera turning a single into a triple when the defense mishandled the throw back to the infield.

The Field 12 started with Scarbrough, Coffman, Shaepler, Duff, Hearn, Marino, Wise, Mohan. Hill, Bess, Leggett, and Sullivan.  They never could get anything going or maybe it was just Rivera and Gonzalez on defense running down every fly ball hit to the outfield that held them back. Unfortunately Claude Hearn pulled something in the first and was unable to continue so the 12 man rosters went from 5 outfielders back to the standard 4  and two teams rotated a player or two.  I wish there was another highlight but when the leadoff batter is the only player to get up 4 times, well what can I say.

The final score ended up 18-14-3.

Big Hitters on the day

Dampier 3 for 4
Grabb 3 for 4
Toro 3 for 4 triple
Jacobs 3 for 4 triple
Mahon 3 for 4
Simon 4 for 4
Rivera 4 for 4
Gonzalez 3 for 3 sac fly
Butler 2 for 3 sac fly
King 3 for 4
Chrest 3 for 3 sac fly
Shaepler 2 for 3
Wise 2 for 3

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, click the link to the Lakeland SS web page and check out the video slide show put together by one of the wives.  There's quite a few WH players there.  

Friday 16 August

Today's game was played under ideal conditions: temperature in the eighties, cooling breezes, and nice cloud cover. We had thirty players so we divided into three teams of ten and played without the middle infielder. The Hit team was managed by Juan Toro and consisted of Dampier, Reagan, Toro, Edwards,Miller, Simon, Wells, Moots, Merritt, and Lee Baker. They started strong with their first five batters scoring with Bill Millers triple providing the power. Having maxed out in run production, Freddie Gonzales' Sit Team came up and the team of Zelazny, Witmer, Gonzalez,Hearn, Thompson, Mohan, Marino, Wise, Barnes, and Gibson answered by putting their first five batters across the plate to tie it up. With the first two teams knotted at five apiece, the Field Team managed by Wayne Munday came up filled with great expectations. Unfortunately the team of Herbie "O", Coffman, Mundy, Alumbaugh, Jacobs, Butler, Duff Hill, Byrd, Powell, and Sullivan managed to tally two runs. In the second inning, Team Gonzalez separated themselves from the field by scoring five runs in the middle of the inning while the Hit and Field teams were shut down. A triple by Bob Z,, and doubles by Hearn and Thompson helping the cause.

The third inning saw Team Toro regain its hitting form as Bobby Reagan and Juan Toro both had home runs and contributed to the four runs scored. Team Gonzalez managed a mere one run as Tommy Wise led off and scored.Team Mundy unfortunately failed to score. The fourth inning was a near replay of the second inning as Team Gonzalez scored four runs off solid hitting from the bottom of the lineup while Team Toro and Mundy were held scoreless. The fifth inning saw everyone score at least one run...however two were scored by Teams Gonzelez and Mundy.

The sixth inning was a real slug fest. Bobby Reagan got his second home run of the day and was the big hit in the four run rally. Team Gonzelez responded with four runs to maintain their lead over their opponents.  Team Mundy managed to score twice off solid hitting by the bottom of the line up. The seventh started with Team Toro chasing six runs and with the first two batters reaching base looked like they were going to make a charge at Team Gonzalez. Despite a double by Roger Edwards, they managed but two runs to fall short of taking the lead. They had a good shot at it too as Team Gonzalez was held scoreless for the first time. They now had to await the outcome of Team Mundy's to see if they could salvage the silver medal. Talk about excitement as Team Mundy's first six batters reached base and scored with Brent Alumbaughs homer being the biggest hit. The next three batters reached base and the momentum had shifted and it looked like not only would they overtake Team Toro for the silver but could score enough to pass Team Gonzalez for the Gold. By sheer will and Donnie Witmers glove it wasn't meant to be as no more runs crossed the plate. Final score12. Team Gonzalez 21, Team Toro 16, and Team Mundy

While there was great hitting today, the game turned on defense. Donnie played a great shortstop for Team Gonzalez, Richie Moots was superb at first for Team Toro as was Bobby Reagan in left field. His play snuffed out three rallies to include a running over the head catch with two outs and the bases loaded.

Key Hitting performances today include:

Freddie Dampier    4 for 5

Bobby Reagan        3 for 5 with two homers

Juan Toro                4 for 5 with one homer

Roger Edwards        4 for 5

Bill Miller                4 for 5 with a triple

Josh Wells                3 for 4

Bob Zelazny        4 for 6 with a triple

Claude Hearn        4 for 5

Ron Thompson        5 for 5 with a double and was the winning pitcher

Bernie Mohan        4 for 5

Richie Marino         4 for 5

Reggie Barnes        4 for 5

Herbie "O"            4 for 5

Wayne Mundy     4 for 5

John Byrd             5 for 5

Eddie Sullivan        3 for 4

Fwd: Tuesday the 13 th

 

 

The weather cooperated again today so thirty four ball players took to the field to compete for bragging rights. We decided to pit the brother-in-laws against each other ( Richie  Marino and Richie Moots) and then we threw in a ringer (Bernie Mohan) for his managerial debut. Moots' hitting team consisted of Zelazny, Scarbrough, Coffman, Laffoon, Butler, Wells, Herbie O, Leggett, Moots, Barnes, and Lee Baker. Marino managed the sitting team which consisted of Dampier, Mundy, Toro, Jacobs, Marino, Giardano, Reagan, Powell, Duff Hill, Simon, Gibson, and Nichols. Mohan's fielding team had Gonzalez, Wise, Alumbaugh, Schapler, Chrest, Bill Miller, Elvis, Merritt, Mohan, Thompson, and Eddie Sullivan.

 

The game started slow with Team Moots only scoring one run in the first two innings. Team Marino scored  two in the first off Freddie Dampier's triple, but were shut down in the second. Team Mohan managed to score two in the first and three in the second to establish themselves as the early favorite. The bottom of the line up started rallies in each of the next two innings as Team Moots scored the maximum five runs in each frame. The big hit being a bases loaded homer by Bob Z over the head of the left fielder who was playing the orange line after seeing bob hit the last couple days. Team Marino was shut out in the third but scored their first three batters in the fourth. It could have been worse as the bases were loaded with no outs at on point. Did I say they stranded three. Bernie's boys managed two in the third and then had the first five batters in the fourth cross the plate to maintain a slight edge going into the fifth inning.

 

Team Moots tied it up in the fifth as they managed to get one run.Team Marino matched their largest run production of the day as they scored three runs off solid hitting by the front of the line up. Team Mohan was shut out for the only time today and failed to retake the lead. The sixth looked promising for Team Moots as the top of the line up was coming to the plate. Unfortunately Don Scarbrough scored the only run. It was enough though to take their first lead since the top of the first. Team Marino was unable to keep pace and failed to score.With the bottom of the line up  hitting first for Team Mohan they scored four runs to take the lead as ten batters came to the plate.

 

Chasing three runs, Team Moots had a big hill to climb if they wanted to get back in it. Unfortunately it was not to be as a great double play snuffed out the rally. Team Marino had an even steeper hill as  they were chasing eight runs. Enough said by mentioning that there were three outs before a run crossed the plate. With Team Mohan ahead by three runs over Team Moots and eight over Team Marino, they did not have to bat in their third of the inning. Final score Team Mohan 16, Team Moots 13, and Team Marino 8.

 

Outstanding performances:

 

Zelazny            3 for 4 with a double and homer

Scarbrough        3 for 4 with a triple

Laffoon                4 for 4

Leggett                3 for 4

Barnes                 3 for 4

 

Dampier            3 for 4 with a triple

Jacobs                3 for 4

Marino                 4 for 4

Giardano             3 for 4

 

Gonzalez            3 for 4

Alumbaugh         4 for 4 with a double

Schapler            3 for 4

Chrest                 3 for 4

Miller                    4 for 4

Thompson            Winning pitcher

 

FW: League report, games on 8/9/13

Report below. 

 

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From: mattaproductions@hotmail.com
To: whseniorsoftball@gmail.com; rcbutler@hotmail.com
Subject: League report, games on 8/9/13
Date: Fri, 9 Aug 2013 15:12:48 -0400

 

Hitting team: Coffman, Gonzalez, Alumbaugh, King, Chamlee, Wells, Thompson, Simon, Regan, Sullivan, Merritt. Manager: Coffman

 

Sitting team: Rivera, Mundy, Laffoon, Zelazny, Grabb, Byrd, D. Hill, Powell, Mohan, G. Baker. Manager: Powell

 

Fielding team: Dampier, Constantine, Jacobs, Toro, Finnegen, Bess, Diaz, Matta, Barnes, L. Baker. Manager: Matta

 

After suffering through some soggy fields, that caused back to back rainouts, the sun was on our side today and we were able to play ball. For the Winter Haven senior softball players, playing a good game of softball is like having a ticket to Disney World. It's hard to beat a good day at the park.

 

The Hitting team got things started with a trip to Space Mountain. Leadoff hitter and team captain, Coffman, hit a rising line drive to left field, which soared into space, over the left fielder's glove. Kirk wound up with a HR. The Hitting team added two more runs that inning, to take an early lead.

The Sitting team and the Fielding team started the game out like they had eaten Snow White's poison apple.  Like the famed dwarf in that fable, the team bats were somewhat "sleepy" and both teams only scored 1 run each, in their perspective 1^st frames.

 

After one inning of play, the score stood: Hitting team 3- Sitting team 1- Fielding team 1.

 

The Hitting team went from Space Mountain, to the Buzz Lightyear ride, as they zapped their way to a 4 run inning, in the 2^nd.  The Sitting team and the Fielding team were waiting for a fairy god mother to do some magic with their bats. Both teams put up pumpkins in the 2^nd, not scoring a run.

 

The 3^rd inning saw the Hitting team continue on a torrid pace, they scored 5 runs and looked like they were going to take Cinderella home after the ball (game). Simon, Regan, Coffman, Gonzalez Alumbaugh and King all hosted the party at the plate.

 

After 3 innings of play, the score was Hitting team 12- Sitting team 3 and Fielding team 2.

 

In the 4^th inning, the fairy godmother did visit the Sitting team. She turned their pumpkins into a stage coach. The Sitting team rode that coach around the bases, scoring 6 runs.  Big hits that inning came from Powell, Mohan, G. Baker, Rivera, Mundy, Laffoon and Zalazny.

 

After 4 innings the score was Hitting team 13- Sitting team 9- Mickey Mouse 2.

 

The Sitting team continued their way through the Magic Kingdom getting 5 runs in the 5^th inning. They tied the game in the 6^th inning, by scoring two more runs. The other two teams were able to push a few scores across the plate, but the batting magic belonged to the Sitting Team.

 

After 6 innings, the score was Hitting team 16- Sitting team 16 and Fielding team 5.

 

The 7^th inning would decide the game. The Hitting team must have spent all their Disney dollars in the first few innings, as they were shut out in the 6^th and again, in the 7^th.  The Fielding team got captured by Captain Hook and sent to Neverland, where they never seemed to come up with the big play, or a big hit. They did manage to make some noise by scoring 4 runs, in the 7^th.

 

The day belonged to the Sitting team. They rode the monorail to victory.  They scored 4 runs in the 7^th inning to seal the deal. Byrd, Baker, Rivera, Mundy and Laffoon drove the train to a win that inning, by getting timely hits.

 

Final Score: Hitting team 16- Sitting team 20- Fielding team 9.

 

WP: Powell

 

Leading hitters for the day:

 

Hitting team:

Coffman, 5/5 with a HR.

King, 4/5.

Chamlee, 4/5.

Thompson, 3/5.

 

Sitting team:

Rivera, 4/6.

Mundy, 5/6.

Laffoon, 5/6.

Zelazny, 4/6.

Grabb, 3/5.

 

Fielding team;

Constantine, 4/4.

 

Other notes: Chris Constantine made several strong plays at shortstop. Freddy Gonzalez made a shoestring catch in left center field. Gene Baker had two key hits, to help the sitting team gain a win.

This is how you strike out on one pitch

A minor league ball player was called out on strikes and the pitcher only threw one pitch!

Here's the video

Sorry Guys NO GAMES TODAY (TUESDAY)

Rained Out Again!

Bob reports that the fields are flooded this morning so we don't have a playable field.  We'll try again Friday but don't hold your breath.  The way things have been going with the Diamondplex fields, we may have to take up water polo.

Cancer strikes again

This time it's our good friend and teammate Tim Gallagher's wife, Helen is suffering with a nasty form of the illness and will be starting treatments at Moffitt Cancer Center soon.  Please keep Tim and Helen and their family in your thoughts and prayers as they help each other through this difficult time.

No Games Today

Rained out yet again!   Yesterday afternoon's rains have left the fields flooded again so  NO GAMES TODAY.  So disappointed ... this is the third Beer Friday in a row.

See you Tuesday.

Ron