As we enter our third week of league play I thought I might give you an
update on the status of the league, some up coming events, and the status of
alternate venues for March.
First let me say that I like the level of competition from top to bottom in
both leagues. While the large rosters have created challenges for our
managers and frustration for those players that rotate in during the game,
the depth of each roster has improved the competition and addressed the two
major issues from last year.
The first being the dwindling down of available players as the season progresses and secondly the overwhelming sentiment from last year that folks hated the three team games. Speaking of dwindling rosters we have already seen some folks go down with season ending injures, others opting to not play the rest of the season, and others that have not arrived and will not before the season ends. We are asking if there are any pool players desire to be assigned to a team if spots come available. If so, please let a BOD member know.
The first being the dwindling down of available players as the season progresses and secondly the overwhelming sentiment from last year that folks hated the three team games. Speaking of dwindling rosters we have already seen some folks go down with season ending injures, others opting to not play the rest of the season, and others that have not arrived and will not before the season ends. We are asking if there are any pool players desire to be assigned to a team if spots come available. If so, please let a BOD member know.
Speaking of pool players it should be noted that to date we have not had
any pool players activated. However last Friday, we could have used seven pool
players to fill our rosters. Please don't write the season off. Come out to
play, stay and umpire, and socialize with you friends.
The BOD met this morning and discussed cold weather start times. The BOD
established a game time temperature of 40 degrees as the benchmark to delay the
start time. Make sure you check the web site on mornings when the weather is
questionable. Updates will be posted by 0730.
We have agreed on our schedule moving forward after discussions with the
managers. The schedule will remain as published with our season ending with the
League Championship Games and Season ending Family Barbeque on Friday the 28th
of February. During the month of March we will be playing summer format games at
the Southwest Complex in Lakeland on Tuesdays. There will be no games on
Fridays. We will return to the Diamond Plex on the 21st of March and continue
with summer format games for the remainder of the year.
The inter-league game between Lakeland and Winter Haven will be held on
Wednesday March 26th. In addition to the softball games, we will hold a skills
competition (home runs, base running, pitching, and throwing from the outfield)
and food. Anyone wishing to participate should sign up with Freddie
Gonzalez.
Lastly, If anyone has questions, concerns, or suggestions regarding the
league, please do not hesitate to contact a BOD member. We welcome your input as
we are here to make your ball playing experience the best it can
be.
Team Photos will be taken February 11th & 14th. Be sure to wear clean uniforms.
Team Photos will be taken February 11th & 14th. Be sure to wear clean uniforms.
Please keep our good friends and team mates Tim Gallagher and Frank Jacobs in your thoughts and prayers. Tim recently lost his wife and Frank's wife is having health issues. We're all getting to that age where we lose loved ones or end up caring for them. It can only help to support each other through difficult times.
Gessler Clinic Field
The Cubs and Marlins fought it out on Gessler Clinic Field with the Cubs sweeping both games.
Game 1
The first game started slow for the visiting Marlins as they managed just four runs through the first four innings. The Cubs struck often as they scored twelve runs during the same period. A home run by McLellan and a triple by Lopez provided the power for the Cubbies. The fifth saw the Marlins come to life as three of the first four batters scored. It looked like they were going to tie it up but failed to score again as they left runners at every base. The Cubs continued to run up the score by managing two in the their half of the inning. The Marlins failed to score in the last two frames and ended up on the short side of a 15 to 6 score.
Key Performances
Larry Chrest 3 for 3
Jim Altemose 3 for 3
Frank Miller 3 for 3
Bill Ayer 3 for 3
Dick Mahon 3 for 3
McLellan 3 for 3 with a home run and a double
Sam Lopez 3 for 3 with a triple
Dick Sessnik Winning Pitcher
Game 2
The second game was pretty much a repeat of the first. The visiting Cubs scored ten runs in the first four innings to build a substantial lead. This was done by putting together a number of singles. The exceptions were doubles by DePalma and Peterson. The Marlins ,in the mean time, were shut out in three of the first four innings. A brif rally in the third saw them score three times. The fifth inning saw the Cubs score four powered by doubles by Thompson and Mahon. The Marlins looked strong in their half of the inning as the first two runners scored followed by a couple hits. A double play however ended the innng. Neither team managed to score in the sixth so going into the final frame the score was Cubs 14 and the Marlins 5. With the Cubs leading off with the top of the line up, it looked like they were going to put together a solid performance. Especially after Dick Mahon hit a triple. Turn about was fair play as the Marlins turned a nifty double play to end the inning. Unfortunately for the Marlins they went scoreless in the bottom of the seventh. Final score Cubs18 and Marlins 5.
Key Performances
Ron Thompson 3 for 4 with a double
Dick Mahon 4 for 4 with a double and triple
McLellan 4 for 4
Bernie Mohan 3 for 3
Dick Sessnik Winning Pitcher
Frank Miller 3 for 3
Bill Ayer 3 for 3
Gerald Andrews 2 for 2
Gold's Gym Field
Tigers vs.
Rangers, Game 1
The Tigers
and the Rangers stood toe to toe and exchanged blows in the form of hits and
runs. In Latin it would be called “macto”, to slay, to fight, to magnify, to
bring glory and honor. In plain English it
was a struggle for victory, as both teams had the will to win and tried hard to
achieve that goal.
The Tigers
drew first blood, scoring a run in the top of the first, after back to back
doubles by Brian Busch and Charlie Giordano. Tiger’s pitcher, Steve Pinnick,
then blanked the Rangers in the bottom of the first. That was the quiet before
the storm.
After 1
inning, Tigers 1 – Rangers 0.
In the 2nd
inning the Tigers increased their lead when Hite, King and Poke combined forces
to knock in two runs. In the bottom of the inning it was time for the Rangers
to answer, they did so with passion, stringing 7 hits together. Pat Drouilard
led the charge with a leadoff triple. Zelazny and Laffoon then stroked back to
back doubles, Butler, Wells, Constantine and Ing all had singles to push 5 runs
home.
The Rangers
continued their onslaught in the 3rd and 4th innings, scoring 5 runs
in each frame. At the end of 4 innings the score stood Tigers 7 – Rangers 15.
The Tigers seemed like they had been tamed, nice kitty, have a saucer of milk, lie
down and go to sleep. AHHHH, that’s not what happened next. The big cats showed
their claws, they came out swinging in the 5th, their first 8
batters reached base. The assault started with back to back homeruns from Al
Andrews and Tom Hamilton. Then Busch took it easy on the Rangers and just tripled.
Benson, Hartley, Dampier, Hite and King all added singles. They tied the game
15-15 at the top of the 5th inning.
The Rangers
came up in the bottom of the 5th and took a slim lead, by scoring 2
runs. Steve Hill singled, Don Erb doubled Steve home and Pat Drouilard finished
the scoring by driving Erb home with a single to right.
After 5
innings the score was Tigers 15 – Rangers 17
As the
contestants approached the last two innings they reminded me of Rocky and Apollo
Creed in their epic movie fight, both beaten and bruised, but unwilling to give
up. The Tigers scored 2 runs in the 6th inning and added 1 run in
the 7th inning, when Fred Dampier hit a homerun, to take a one run lead.
Tigers 18 –
Rangers 17.
The Rangers
were shut out in their 6th inning. In the bottom of the 7th inning, it
was now up to the bottom of the Ranger’s order to get a rally started. Chris
Constantine was up for the challenge; he started things with a single. Don Ing
lined out hard to center for the first Rangers out. Nick Matta came up and
drilled a single to right, moving the tying run to third. Lance Patten, who has
been swinging a hot bat, then tied the game with a single to left. Time for the
top of the Rangers batting order to deliver the goods, Kirk Coffman singled to
load the bases. The next batter popped out. With two outs and the game on the
line Juan Toro stood at the plate. Juan is a man of faith and talent, he would
not be denied; Juan smashed a single to right to win the game. Both teams left
the field of battle with honor having played their hearts out.
You find
that you have peace of mind and can enjoy yourself, get more sleep, and rest
when you know that it was a one hundred percent effort that you gave–win or
lose.” Gordie Howe
Final Score:
Tigers 18 – Rangers 19.
Leading Hitters for the Tigers:
Al Andrews: 3/ 4 with a HR.
Tom Hamilton: 2 /4 with a HR.
Jack Benson: 3 / 4.
Fred Dampier: 3 /4 with a HR.
Bob Hite: 3 / 4.
Poke Rodriguez: 3 / 4.
Leading Hitters for the Rangers:
Kirk Coffman: 4 /4.
Don Erb: 2 / 3 with a double.
Pat Drouilard: 3 / 3 with a triple.
Bob Zelazny: 2 / 3 with a double.
Ron Butler: 3 / 3.
Chris Constantine: 2 / 3.
Don Ing: 2 / 3.
Nick Matta: 2/ 3.
Lance Patten: 2/ 3.
Game 2
Is it possible for a team
to be snake-bit? Well, right now the
Tigers have that feeling. After losing
to the Rangers by 1 run, the second game of the Tuesday double-header looked
like it was going to be a blow out for the Rangers. They started with 8 men coming to the plate,
getting 7 singles and 5 runs to take the early lead. The Tigers clawed back at
the visitors, with the big hit being a triple by Brian Busch, who had a great
day with the bat and glove, but could only manage 2 runs. Chris Constantine
started the Rangers out again with a solo home run, but that was the only
base-runner the Rangers would have that
inning. Russ King started the home half
of the frame with a triple, but it looked like he might be stranded there when
Jim Laffoon robbed the next two hitters, while holding the runner. Art Zakrowski did drive the run in with a
double but was thrown out taking 3rd when Jim L. threw a strike to
end any chance the Tigers had of cutting into the lead. The teams traded runs,
and friendly barbs, for the next 4 innings with the score being Rangers 11-6
after 6 full innings. Bob Zelazny, the
commish, got it started for the Rangers with a leadoff double followed by 3
singles as the Rangers threaten to run away with the game. But, with no out and a runner on 2nd
base the Tigers turned an unusual double-play, 4-3-5 (or Hamilton to Busch to
Hartley) to put the lid on the Rangers runs.
As the Tigers came to bat in the 7th, trailing by 8 the
situation looked bleak. It got even
darker when Constantine made a diving stop and threw the base runner out from
the seat of his pants. But, the Tigers didn’t quit, down to the last out and
just one runner abroad, they scraped their way back into the game getting 4
runs before it was all said and done.
Final Score Rangers 14 – Tigers 10.
Top Hitters:
Rangers:
Coffman 3 for 3
Drouilard 2 for 3, 2B
Jacobson 2 for 2, Sac
Erb 2 for 3
Constantine 2 for 3, HR
Ing 2 for 3
Patton 2 for 3
Tigers:
Andrews 2 for 4, 2B
Hamilton 2 for 4, 2B
Busch 4 for 4, 3B
Giordano 3 for 4
Benson 3 for 4
Dampier 2 for 2, BB
King 2 for 3, 3B
Pennick 2 for 3
Gatorland Field
The
softball Gods were smiling on Winter Haven today. Not so in Chicago,
where the temperature at game time was around -12 degrees. In Winter
Haven, it was a beautiful sunny day to play softball with
the temperature at game time around 65 degrees.
The double header on
Field E between the Angels and the Rays came down to the last inning in
both games. The Rays took the lead in the first game in the top of the
seventh inning only to have the Angels score two runs in the bottom of
the seventh inning for the victory. Final score Game 1, Angels 7 - Rays
6.
In the second game, the Angels were ahead in the top of the seventh
inning but the Rays could not put any runs together in the bottom of the
seventh inning to take the victory away from the Angels. Final score
Game 2, Angels 12 - Rays 10.
Leading hitters for the Angels in Game 1 were Scott Seguin 3/3,
Greg Denny 2/2 and Gerry DeRidder 2/3. Jose Rivera had an in the park
home run.
Leading hitters for the Angels in Game 2 were Scott Seguin and Greg
Denny 3/3, Freddie Gonzalez 2/3. Freddie Gonzalez had an in the park
home run.
Leading hitters for the Rays in Game 1 were Eddie Gazarek, Rick
Brock, Sam Cuscovitch and Jimmy Goodhue 2/3. Rick Brock had an in the
park home run.
Leading hitters for the Rays in Game 2 were Eddie Gazarek 3/3, Don Held, Sam Cuscovitch, Ray Levesque and Fern Burelli 2/3.
Pitching for the Angels was J.D. Davis. Pitching for the Rays were Pat Lopicolo and Brian Jackson.
A good job was done by all the pitchers as can be seen by the low scores in both games.
Special mention needs to be made for the third basemen on both
teams. Greg Denny and Don Held were like vacuum cleaners at third base.
Greg and Don scooped up many balls and threw the runners out . Good job
to both of them.
ServiceMaster Field
Braves vs Giants
What a nice day to play two games today.
In
the first game, Giants scored two runs on hits by Vassuri Bess, Don
Scarbrough and Ed Guspyt in the top of the first. The Braves scored four
runs in both the 1st and 2nd innings to take the lead. Braves hitters
were Miguel Gonzalez-triple,Arvil Waddell, Denny Shaffer, Gene Baker,
Harlen Lautenschlager-double, Jerry Witter, Sonny Burrell-triple, and
Charley Cottle (newplayer).
Giants came back in the third inning to score 5 runs to tie the
score-led by V. Bess, Elmer Black, Don S-home run , Ed G., Nic
Burns-double.
No more runs were scored until the 6th inning. Giants scored one run by Don.S.
Braves scored 5 runs on 4 singles and doubles by Harlen L. and Sonny B.
Giants didn't score in the top of the 7th inning. Jerry Witter was winning pitcher.
Final score was Braves 14 --Giants 9
Giants Leading hitters :
V. Bess 2-3
Don S, 3-3 one home run
Ed G. 2-3
Dave Ragonese 2-3
Braves Leading hitters:
Miguel G. 2-3 one triple
Arvil W. 3-3
Denny Shaffer 2-3
Gene Baker 2-3
Gene Baker 2-3
Dean Schapeler 3-3 one double
Harlen L. 3-3 two doubles
Jerry Witter 3-3
Game 2
Game Two went down to the last out in the 7th inning.
Braves started off scoring 3 in the first inning with hits by Arvil W., Denny S.,-triple, Penny Pelletier.
Giants came right back in the bottom and scored two runs on hits by V. Bess, , Don S., Jerry Remington.
Braves stayed ahead in the second inning by scoring 2 more runs. Hits by Dean S., Dave Podbielski, Sonny B.
Nobody scored in the third inning. Top of the fourth, Braves scored two runs on hits by Penny P., Denny S., Gene B. , Harlen L.
Giants scored one in the bottom of the fourth inning on hits by Ed G., Nic Burns, and David Ragonese.
Braved scored 3 in the top of the 6th inning on hits by Arvil W., Penny P.,and a three run home run by Denny Shaffer.
The Giants weren't done scoring. They scored 5 runs in the bottom of the 6th inning to take the lead.
After one out, the next 7 batters got hits. all singles. The
Braves were down by two going into the last inning. They were able to
score only one run on hits by Dean S. and Jerry Witter.
Winning pitcher was Dennis Holder
Final score Giants 12 --Braves 11.
Braves leading hitters:
Penny P.3-3
Denny S. 3-3 one triple and one home run
Dean S. 2-3
Jerry W. 3-3
Sonny B. 2-3
Giants leading hitters:
V. Bess 3-3
Don S. 2-3
Ed G. 2-3
Jerry R. 2-3
Fred Ducham 2-3
Dennis H. 3-3
Glenn Holland 2-2
Submitted by
Larry Powell
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