Happy Independence Day

Did you know that Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4th, 1826?  Jefferson died about 5 hours before Adams.  

And on another note; from my British Friends,  "Happy Treason Day" colonials. It's all in your point-of-view.

Anyway, the sun came out this morning and despite a soft spot in front of first base, we had enough players for a game.  There isn't a better way to celebrate the 4th of July than softball, hot dogs, apple pie and fireworks.  We got the softball part, the rest is up to you. 

And speaking of good news, Jimmy Lafoon's wife Deanne is scheduled to be released (after 10 days) from Lakeland Regional Hospital this afternoon to finish her cancer surgery recovery at home. 

Also Ron Thompson reported that he had three new sponsors and a renewal.  The American Legion Post 8 provided two new sponsorships, one for the NL and the other for the AL, Citrus Ridge Health Center in Davenport signed up, and  Merrill Lynch renewed their sponsorship.  Way to go Ron.  

Voting began today for the Board of Directors.  Be sure to get your ballot marked and submitted before the August 19th BoD meeting. The ballot link is to the right. 

By about 8:25 this morning we were thinking of holding batting practice for the 8 or so players that showed up but by 8:30 we had 22, enough for a 9 inning, two team game. I guess the bus was running late.

The Home Team skippered by Nick Matta had Coffman, Scarbrough, Lafoon, Deridder, S. Hill, Oesterreich, Pepin, Matta, D. Hill, Wells and Baker in their formidable line-up while the Visitors playing with Freddy Gonzalez's leadership fielded Rivera, Gonzalez, Butler, Edwards, Reagan, Lopez, Thompson, Simon, Gallagher, Moots and Merritt. 

Yes, you read that right, Tim Gallagher was in the line-up today.  Welcome back Tim, we missed you.

With these line-ups, the expectation was for a 25-26 game or some such with lots of 5 run innings and the outcome decided in the bottom of the ninth.  It was not to be.  The Visiting squad put together the only 5 run inning of the day and both teams racked up multiple 0 run innings working toward a 13-7 victory for the Visitors.  

The Visitors highlights included inside-the-park Home Runs by the fleet-footed Freddy Gonzales and the speedy Bob Reagan; triples by Ron Butler and Roger Edwards; and a pair of doubles also by Freddy Gonzales.

On the home team's side of the ledger, Herb Oesterreich had a double and that was it. In their defense, Nick Matta had a field day defending the middle of the diamond including a great reaction to a hard line drive, just below the belt, that otherwise would have left a dent.  Nick caught everything that came his way today but we suspect he was just showing off for his family that came to watch Dad play.

Key Hitters

Kirk Coffman 4 for 5
Herb Oesterreich 3 for 4 2b
Ron Pepin 2 for 3 sac
Nick Matta 3 for 4
Duff Hill 3 for 4
Fred Gonzales 3 for 4 2-2b, HR
Roger Edwards 3 for 4
Ron Butler 2 for 3 3b, sac
Bob Reagan 3 for 4, HR


Ron Thompson was the winning pitcher.

Submitted by Ron Butler