Terrific Triplet

Field C hosted a three team game today, contested by 3 teams of 10 plus Tom Hamilton playing middle infield for all three teams.  

It was a closely fought duel all the way until JD's squad put the game away in the 6th and 7th innings. The power hitting highlights included long bombs by Dave Doerbaum, Scot Seguin and Don Held while Don Keller put on a show going 4 for 5 with 3 doubles and a triple.  Excellent fielding performances were turned in by Tom Hamilton, Les Jacobson, Pat Drouillard, Jose Rivera, Fred Dampier and Bob Vanderberg.

Like I said it was a closely fought match and at the end of 5 innings JD's team had 9 runs to Ron Butler's squad's 10 runs and Joe D'herin's team's 7.  

Then JD's boys racked up 5 run innings in the 5th, 6th, and 7th innings to take over the game at 19 runs.  Butler's squad batted around in the 7th, but only plated 5. That gave them 15 and the silver medal. Joe's fellows racked one in the 6th and a zero in the final frame to finish with 8.  Say it ain't so, Joe?   19-15-8 was the final.

Winning Pitcher: Doerbaum

Top Guns:
Doerbaum 4 for 4 HR BB 2B
Giordano 4 for 5
Toro 3 for 5 2B
Coffman 2 for 3 BB 3B
Capozzi 3 for 3 BB

Rivera  4 for 5 BB 3B
Keller 4 for 5 3-2B 3B
Pepin 4 for 4 2B
Jacobson 4 for 4 3-2B

Gazarek 4 for 4
Seguin 3 for 4 HR
Held 3 for 4 HR 2B
Gonzalez 3 for 4 2B

Submitted by Ron Butler

National League 

Only had players for two teams today. Ted Taylor was manager of the visiting team and Larry Powell was manager of the home team. It was a very competitive game that wasn't decided until the ninth inning. No one scored in the first inning for either team. In the second inning, the visitors scored one run on hits by Pozzi and Ducham. The home team scored 4 runs with Bill McLellan leading the way with a home run, hits by Frank Miller,Penny, Sam Lopez , Lee Baker, and Larry Powell.

The third inning saw both teams scoring with the visitors Berrill getting a Double to knock in two runs and scored himself. The home team responded by scoring  4 runs Jeff Simon and Don Scarbrough had triples. The sixth inning was exciting with both teams scoring 5 runs. The score after six innings was 14-13 with the Home Team leading by one run. Larry Powell came in to relieve Ron Thompson  the last three innings and shutdown the visitors. Final Score was Visitors 13 and Home Team 15. 

Outstanding defensive plays were made by Don Scarbrough and Frank Miller.

Leading hitters for the visitors:

Marino 3-4

Stan Michalski 3-3

Marinacci 2-4 one double,one triple

Taylor 3-4

Berrill 2-3

Leading hitters for the home team:

Jeff Simon 3-4

Don Scarbrough 3-3 one double, one triple

Bill McLellan 3-4 one home run, one triple

Frank Miller 4-4 one triple

Lee Baker 4-4

Submitted by Larry Powell

Your Hall of Fame Induction 2015

As you may recall the 2015 Hall of Fame Induction Dinner was held this past March 18th at the American Legion Hall in Winter Haven.

The Hall of Fame recognizes the outstanding contribution of Polk County's Senior Softball Players to the leagues they represent.  This year's inductees were Larry Powell and Don Witmer.  Both Larry and Don have made significant contributions through their efforts as team managers, board members and Commissioners over the long haul with the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club.  It's a real pleasure to honor these two exceptional team mates for such long and valued service.

Congratulations, Don & Larry!  You certainly deserve it.

An Even Dozen

Field D Friday March 27th

Home team players Rivera,D'Herin,Jacobs,Seguin,Jacobson,Essenmacher,Reagen,Gonzalez,Herb O,Vandenberg,Pinnick,Wells,Burtner,and Farinas

Visiting  team players

Dampier,Toro,Keller,Drouliard,Denny,Coffman,Matta,Smith,Butler,Pepin,Giordano,Capozzi,Boswell,and Borelli

These two evenly matched teams battled to a 12 to 12 tie game. Visiting team rallied for 3 runs in the 9th inning to tie the game and the home team had the winning run on 3rd in the bottom of the inning and could not push it across. Well played game by both teams!

Leading hitters

Dampier  3-4

Toro  3-4

Keller 3-4

Pepin 2-3

Drouliard 2-4

Matta 2-4

Jacobs 2-3

Seguin 2-3

D'Herin 3-4

Essenmamacher 3-3

Reagen 3-4

Herb O 3-4

Bob Zelazny's Father

I'm sorry to have to report that Bob Zelazny's Dad passed away March 20.  Please keep Bob and his family in your thoughts and prayers. The following is his obituary from the Tacoma News Tribune. 

JOSEPH ZELAZNY Jr.

Obituary Guest Book "Joe was one of the finest, most honorable men I ever met. ..." - sandra regalia View Sign Joseph John Zelazny Jr Was born on September 10, 1921 in Wilmington, DE and passed away on March 20, 2015 in Tacoma, WA with his wife of 71 years and his three children by his side. He is survived by his wife Lorrayne Mellum Zelazny; three children, Joseph John Zelazny III (Donna), Col. Robert Zelazny (Ret) (Brenda), and Kathy Zelazny Thomas (Ron); four grandchildren, LTC Joseph J. Zelazny IV, Jodie Zelazny, Tamra Brannon and Jessica Beardsley and five great grandchildren, Charlie and Noelle Zelazny, Amaya and Michael Brannon and Benjamin and soon-to- be baby Joseph Beardsley. The love and wisdom he shared with his family had a profound impact on each of their lives. He enlisted in the Army in 1942 and served 21 years, retiring in 1963 as a Lt. Colonel. He was captured during the Battle of the Bulge and served as a POW in Germany and Poland. This experience helped to define him throughout his life, especially during the last thirty years as he worked tirelessly for Veterans rights and for recognition for their service and sacrifice to the country. After retiring from the service, Joe worked at Tacoma Boat for a number of years and then went into the construction business, building custom homes throughout Pierce County. When he finally retired, he devoted himself entirely to issues surrounding Veterans. The establishment of a Veterans Memorial at the Coachella Valley Cemetery (California) and one in Tacoma, Washington at the New Tacoma War Memorial Park were two of his proudest achievements. In 2009, he received the Meritorious Service Award from the National Association of Prisoners of War. In his spare time, Joe and Lorrayne enjoyed traveling, playing cards and other games with family and friends both here and in Indio, California where he and Lorrayne were snowbirds for almost forty years. He loved fishing and completing wood-working projects in his spare time. Nothing gave him greater pleasure however, than helping a Veteran get his rightful recognition and benefits. Joe was a long time member of Elks Lodge174 serving as a Trustee for four years, then Chairman of the Board of Directors. Additionally, he was a lifetime member of the VFW and the American Legion. Joe and Lorrayne were long time members at Emmanuel Lutheran (Tacoma), Immanuel Lutheran (Yelm), and St. Marks Lutheran (Tacoma) Churches. A memorial service will be held at Point Defiance Village at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2015. The interment will take place at 3:00 p.m. at the Tahoma National Veterans Cemetery in Kent on the same day. The family asks in lieu of flowers, remembrances be sent to St. Marks Lutheran Church or the Tacoma Rescue Mission.

Games are on if it does not rain anymore. Two fields playable.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID

National League game Field D   3/24/15

The Winter Haven Senior Softball league is home again.  Three teams were made up to play at the Diamond-Plex field D.  Hit team managed by Don LaMay batted in this order:  Taylor, Shaffer, Michalski, Hector M., Stepp, Leggett, Moots, Mohan, McPartlan, Morey and Smith.  Sit team managed by Elmer Black was lined up like this:  Remington, Marino, Black, Burns, Zakrowski, Hawbaker, Wilcox, Dudley, Altemose, Ayer and Gibson.  Field team managed by Reg Barnes batted in this order:  Miller, Ducham, McLellan, Lautenschlager, Penny, Fulton, Lopiccolo, Merritt, Boswell, Barnes, and L. Baker.

Hit Team went out 1-2-3 in the first inning and the Sit team did the same.  The Field team came to bat and took charge of the game.  Miller reached on an error, Ducham singled up the middle and McLellan homered to deep right.  Singles by Lautenschlager, Penny, Lopiccolo and Boswell produced the max 5 runs for the inning.

Hit team put up another 0 in the second while the Sit and Field teams each tallied another 5 runs.  The third inning was more of the same for the Hit team.  Sit had 3 and the Field team took a rest and only scored 1.  After 3 the score was Hit 0, Sit 8 and Field 11.  Hit team came to hit in the 4^th inning.  A double off the bat of Shaffer and singles by Michalski, Stepp, Leggett, Mohan and McPartlan put the team on the board with 4 runs.  Dudley, Altemose, Ayer and Remington tallied 2 runs for the Sit team.  Field team pushed across another 3 run to widen their lead.

Fifth inning everyone took a breather with the Sit team scoring the only run of the inning on singles by Black, and Hawbaker.  Hit team got back in the game rallying for 4 more in the sixth on singles from Stepp, Leggett, Mohan, and Morey.  Sit team scored 2 to tighten up the game while the Field Team was held scoreless.  After 6 the score was Hit 8, Sit 13, and Field 14. 

Hit team had singles from Shaffer and Michalski and a three run homer off the bat of Stepp to finish off their day.  Sit team Zakrwoski led off the a base rap, then Dudley singled and Altemose’s hit drove in their final run of the game to tie the game.  Barnes led off the last of the 7^th with a base hit, Baker also singled a fielders choice forced out Barnes at 3^rd then a walk to McLellan loaded the bases.  Lautenschlager drove one in the hole and Baker scored the winning run.   Final  Hit Team 11, Sit Team 14 and Field Team 15.

Leading hitters:  Shaffer 3 for 4, Stepp 3 for 4 HR, Leggett 4 for 4, Mohan 3 for 3. Remington 4 for 4, Marino HR, Burns 3 for 4, Altemose 4 for 4, Ayer 3 for 4, Ducham, 3 for 4, McLellan 3 for 3 HR and 2 W, Lautenschlager 4 for 5.

Write up by Don LaMay

WHSS IS BACK AT THE DIAMONDPLEX
Starting tomorrow, Winter Haven Senior Softball will be back at the Diamondplex. Be there no later than 9:00 AM. Games will begin at 9:30 AM.

May Your Bat Be Ever Busy
We had a donnybrook of a game in the American league. There were runs a plenty, but the winning margin was a wee, small number. The two teams took out their shillelaghs (Irish walking sticks) and beat the ball all over the clover. When it was all over, one team found the pot o’ gold, whilst the other team was left behind on the road to Dublin. The WHSS, Happy Saint Patrick’s Day, game took place in Auburndale for the first time. I’ll start the team introductions with an Irish toast: Here's to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one. A pretty girl and an honest one. A cold pint and another one!

Visitors, Team Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale: Coffman, Wiltshire, Duff, Doerbaum, Davis, Brock, Smith, Burns, Vandenburg, Schapeler, Wells and Kallister. Coached by Squire Smith!
Home, Team Guinness: Dampier, Pepin, Drouilard, Held, Seguin, Stier, Reagan, Matta, Shaffer, Denny, Ayers and Zelazny. Coached by the Earl of Zelazny!
Team Kilkenny were the first one’s to strike up the bagpipes. They played a tune that netted them a pair of runs in the first. Chuck Duff hit a deep fly ball over the right fielders head to hit a home run, with a runner on base, to account for the two runs. The Guinness team was not going to just sit back and drink a pint, even though some may have thought about doing just that, hoisting a mug. There was a game to be won. They were mindful of the old, Irish saying: “You’ll never plow a field by turning it over in your mind.” The Home team put their hand to the plow and scored three runs, to take a one run lead. Seguin hit a sacrifice fly to knock in Dampier.  Stier then hit a single that scored Drouilard and Held. This next Irish proverb would come back to haunt the Visiting team, “Lose an hour in the morning, and you’ll be looking for it all day.” (A more accurate softball translation, “lose by a run in the early innings and it may come back to hurt you”). After one inning the score was Kilkenny: 2 - Guinness: 3.

Team Kilkenny looked for shamrocks in the 2^nd inning, but could not find any. They were shut out in the inning. Meanwhile, Team Guinness danced a jig, they scored 5 runs. Shaffer, Ayers, Zelazny, Dampier, Pepin, Drouilard and Held made the other team pay the piper while Team Guinness danced. After two innings: Kilkenny: 2- Guinness: 8.
Kilkenny had a whale of a time in the 3^rd inning. They scored 6 runs. Kallister, Coffman, Wiltshire, Duff and Doerbaum all scored, Brock and Smith also had hits in the inning. Team Guinness answered right back, with five runs of their own in the 3^rd. Seguin, Stier and Matta all hit doubles to get things going. Shaffer, Denny, Ayers and Zelazny finished the inning by adding singles. After 3 innings: Kilkenny: 8- Guinness: 13. It looked like team Guinness had the Irish blessing upon them:  “May there always be work for your hands to do, May your purse always hold a coin or two. May the sun always shine warm on your windowpane, May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the hand of a friend always be near you, And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.”
Team Kilkenny found some four leaf clovers in the 4^th inning and crossed the plate a few times. The truth is they made their own luck, when they scored five runs off of home runs by Duff and Doerbaum, to tie the game. After 4 innings: Kilkenny: 13- Guinness: 13. The score stayed close and the lead exchanged hands, throughout the rest of the game.  After 8 innings the score was Kilkenny: 20- Guinness: 23.The Visitors needed four runs to take the lead. Doerbaum started the 9^th inning off by hitting a shot over the rainbow, for a homerun. Brock, Smith and Burns added hits and all scored, to give Kilkenny the lead, 24-23. Vandenburg had knocked in the go ahead run with a single, before the last two batters were retired to end the inning.
In the bottom of the ninth, Team Guinness was in want of a run to tie the game, and two runs, to win the game. That brings to mind an Irish blessing, “may you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.” Team Guinness wants were satisfied quickly, with three straight hits. Held started the inning with a double, Seguin singled in Held with the tying run. Then Stier had the game winning hit, a double, to knock in Seguin. The pot of gold belonged to the Home team. Final score: Kilkenny: 24- Guinness: 25. By only taking a one run lead into the bottom of the ninth, you might say Team Kilkenny was guilty of ironing a four leaf clover, they pressed their luck.

These players kissed the blarney stone for Team Kilkenny:
Coffman: 2/ 4 and a walk.
Wiltshire: 4/5 with two doubles.
Duff: 3/ 5 with two HRs.
Doerbaum: 5/5 with two HRs.
Davis: 3/ 5.
Brock: 4/4 with a walk and two doubles.
Smith: 3/5.
Vandenburg: 3/5.
Schapler: 3/5.
These players hit the jackpot for Team Guinness:
Dampier: 2/ 4 and a walk.
Pepin: 3/5.
Held: 4/4, with three doubles and a walk.
Seguin: 4/4 with a double and a SF.
Stier: 3/5 with a double.
Shaffer: 4/4 with a HR.
Denny: 3/4.
Ayers: 3 / 4 with a triple.
Zelazny: 3 / 4.
Defensive Play Of The Game: Jeff Stier, SS, for an over the shoulder catch in shallow center field.
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

GEORGE RADLEIN FUNERAL

A celebration of life services will be held Friday March 20 at Shepherds Community United Methodist Church 6885 Chelsea Oaks Dr Lakeland.

Friends and family will gather at 10am with the service to follow at 11am.

More details and a link to his obituary are on the Lakeland Senior Softball page.

Ron

The Annual Lakeland –Winter Haven game that almost wasn’t, was. A hearty thank you goes out from the players to Russ King, Don Witmer and board members from both sides, who worked to make the game a reality.

Winter Haven, AL Team, Visitors: Wiltshire, Drouilard, Stiers, Seguin, Toro, Denny, Pepin, Farinas, D’Herin, Jacobs and Vanderhyde.

Lakeland, Home Team: Ottman, Stankiewicz, Cobb, Timbes, Wise, Matta, Davis, Arbic, Poke, Cacioppo and Grim.

This was a game of keeping up with the Joneses, even though no one named Jones played for either team. It was a game where neighbors from two different cities faced off to see who could win the day. Many of the guys playing on opposing teams in this game are teammates on other teams, so it’s a very friendly competition.

The Winter Haven team started things off by scoring a single run in the first inning. The Lakeland team doubled their output. After one inning the score was Winter Haven: 1-Lakeland: 2.

Winter Haven team had deuces wild over the next three innings; they put up two runs in the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th innings. These pairings accounted for the runs: Pepin and D’Herin, Stiers and Seguin, D’Herin and Jacobs. Four of those runs came off homeruns by Seguin and Jacobs, with runners on base. The Lakeland team could only answer back with three runs over those same innings. Ottman, Stankiewicz and Poke crossed the plate. The big hit for Lakeland came from John Caccioppo, who had a triple to knock in Poke. After four innings the game was close, Winter Haven: 7- Lakeland: 5.

Both teams got busy in the 5^th inning, scoring four runs each. Wiltshire, Stiers, Seguin and Toro all scored for the Visitors. Toro had a HR in the inning. Ottman, Stankiewicz, Cobb and Timbes counted in the tally for the Lakeland team. After 5 innings the score was Winter Haven: 11- Lakeland: 9.

Over the second half of the game Winter Haven opened up a substantial lead. They scored nine runs over the next three innings. Lakeland only managed to score two runs until the 8th. Lakeland tried to make it a game in the eighth inning when they scored four times to draw within reach. After eight innings the score was Winter Haven: 20- Lakeland: 15.

Over the previous eight innings of play, the Winter Haven team made several outstanding defensive plays to help preserve their lead. A dropped ball, instead of a running catch in the gap, would have changed the score considerably. Give credit to Mike Wiltshire, Scot Seguin and Juan Toro for their outstanding defensive efforts.

If the Winter Haven team stayed scoreless in the ninth inning, they would have to hope that their five run lead would last. No worries, the Visitors took care of business and knocked six runs across the dish. Farinas, D’Herin, Jacobs, Vanderhyde, Wiltshire and Drouilard all scored. The Winter Haven team all but sewed up the game with that outburst. All that was left was for the Visitors to play defense and keep Lakeland from going on a terror. Lakeland did string together a mini rally in the bottom of the 9^th. The first 6 batters all had hits, four batters scored. The next three batters were then retired in order, to finish the competition. Final Score: Winter Haven: 26- Lakeland: 19.

 

Winter Haven Leading Hitters:

Wiltshire: 4/5, 3 triples and a SF.

Stiers: 3/6, with a HR and a double.

Seguin: 5/6 with a double and a HR.

Toro: 3/6 with a HR.

Pepin: 3/5.

Farinas: 3/5.

D’Herin: 4/5.

Jacobs: 4/4, with a HR and a walk. 

Vanderhyde: 3/4 and a walk.

Leading Hitters For Lakeland:

Ottman: 5/5  and a walk.

Stankiewicz:  2/4 and two walks.

Cobb: 3 / 4 and two walks.

Timbes: 3/5 and a walk.

Wise: 4/ 5 with a walk and a double.

Cacioppo: 3/5 with a triple.

Remembering George

It's with a heavy heart that I have to pass along the news that George Radlein passed away yesterday.  George was a team captain, commissioner, and a damn fine pitcher for both Lakeland and Winter Haven.

No one loved a good laugh more than George. He will be missed. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this difficult time.

Ron

 Today's game in Auburndale was a 3 team contest.  The hit team was managed by Powell came in third and scored 9 runs.  The sit team, managed by LaMay, was unstoppable and scored an incredible 34 runs.  The field team was managed by Simon came in second and scored 19 runs.  As with all 3 team games only 7 innings were played.  A special thank you goes to Don Witmer for umpiring the entire game.  Leading hitters for the sit team:  Capozzi 2-3, Altemose 2-3, Long 2-3 HR, McLellan 3-3 2B HR.  Leading hitters for the sit team: Thompson 3-5 BB, Taylor 3-5 BB, Schaffer 4-4 2 2B, HR, Hector 4-4 BB, Mohan 3-3 2BB, Kline 3-4  BB, Penny 4-5 2B, Boswell 4-5 HR, Leggett 3-4 2B BB, Yarletts 4-5.  Leading hitters for the field team: D. Hill 3-4, Simon 2-3 BB, Lopez 3-4, Marino 3-4, Burns 2-4, Zakrowski 2-4, Parpart 3-4, G. Seguin 2-4, Moots 3-4, F. Miller 3-4 Strait 2-3.  WP was Leggett.


Write up by Jeff Simon

Wishing Upon A Star And Swinging A Hot Bat!

Today’s write up is tied together with Disney rides and movie phrases. See if you can recognize them.

Team Toy Story, Visitors: Pepin, Essenmacher, Stier, Toro, Vandenberg, Farinas, Zelazny, Denny, Levesque, Kallister and Wells.

Team Nemo, Home: Coffman, Drouilard, Doerbaum, Davis, Wiltshire, Seguin, Hill, Giordano, Dampier, Smith, Schapler and Matta.

The Toy story squad started out the game with a catch phrase from Sheriff Woody, “This town ain’t big enough for the two of us”. They hit like they wanted to run the Nemo team out of the ocean. The Visitors started out taking a 4 run lead. Pep, Essenmacher, Stier, Vandenberg, Zelazny and Denny all reached base safely, either by hit, or error, to account for the 4 runs scored. Team Nemo, was not going to be lost at sea for long. The errors they committed, in the first inning, may have made Nemo’s manager, Nick Matta, grumpy, but the team had an answer for him. They followed the advice of Dory.

Dory: “Hey there, Mr. Grumpy Gills. When life gets you down do you wanna know what you've gotta do?” Marlin: “No I don't wanna know.” Dory: [singing] “Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim.”

Team Nemo swam their way to scoring 3 runs in the first inning. Coffman started things off with a single, Doerbaum then went all Space Mountain on us with a homerun ball, to score two runs. Wiltshire added another homerun to finish the scoring in the first. After one inning: Toy Story: 4-Nemo: 3.

Team Nemo added a run in the 2^nd to tie the game. In the 3^rd inning, it was “Hi, Ho Hi, Ho , It’s Off To Work We Go!” The Nemo gang got busy, they scored 5 runs. Coffman, Drouilard, Davis, Wiltshire, Seguin and Hill worked the mine that produced the gold. After 3 innings the score was Toy Story: 4- Nemo: 9.

As Buzz Lightyear would say, “Sheriff, this is no time to panic.” The Toy Story gang was not going to fall out the window and quit; instead they had a “mad tea party” and scored 5 runs in the 5^th. Those 5 runs, along with a solo run they had already added in the 4^th inning, lifted the Toy Story gang into the lead. The big hit in the 5^th inning was a Zelazny homerun. Like Buzz Lightyear, the Toy story team had taken flight, or maybe, “they were just falling with style.” The Nemo gang answered back quickly with 3 runs. They too, took flight, like they were on the Peter Pan ride. Matta started out the 5^th inning with a triple, hit all the way to “Neverland”, in deep right center. Coffman singled him in. Drouilard added a single, Doerbaum walked, while Wiltshire and Seguin finished off the scoring that inning when they added singles. After 5 innings of play the score was Toy Story: 9- Nemo: 12.

It was time for the Toy Story team to go to “infinity and beyond”. They added 4 more runs, in the 6^th inning, to recapture the lead. Denny, Levesque, Kallister, Pepin, Essenmacher, Stier and Toro wandered safely through “Tom Sawyer’s Island” and found treasure. Team Nemo had a “Small World” experience in the bottom of the 6th and could only answer back with one run. After 6 innings the score was Toy Story: 14- Nemo: 13.

In the 7^th inning someone “poisoned the waterhole”, for the Toy Story bunch.  Team Nemo’s pitcher, Dave Doerbaum, applied the poison. Dave started an impressive streak of strikeouts that inning, as he struck out the last two batters he faced, to end the inning.  The Toy Story team must have felt like they had “a snake in their boot”, as they could only score one run in the 7^th.  In the bottom of the 7^th inning Doerbaum crushed the ball. This time he hit Splash Mountain. Here is how it went down, with two runners on base, Dave hit a shot that landed in the lake over the right center fence.  I’ll quote Crush, (the sea turtle), from Finding Nemo, it seems appropriate here.  

Crush: “Saw the whole thing, dude. First you were all like “whoa", and we were like "whoa", and you were like "whoa..."  After 7 innings, the score was Toy Story: 15- Nemo: 18.

The Toy Story gang fell down the “Tower of Terror”, in the eighth and ninth innings. They were shut out in the last two innings. Doerbaum added 3 more strikeouts, giving him a total of five strikeouts, in three innings. Meanwhile, the Nemo school of fish, hit like they were sharks; they added 5 more runs in the 8^th  to help Team Nemo find their way home. Final Score: Toy Story: 15- Nemo: 23.

The Disney All-Star team:

Dave Doerbaum gets to wear the mouse ears, as the top performer in today’s game. To his credit: A strong fielding play at first. 5 K’s. WP. 3 / 4 batting with 2 HRs and a walk.

Toy Story Leading Hitters:

Stier: 3 / 4.

Toro: 2/4 and a walk.

Zelazny: 3 / 4 with a HR.

Deny: 4 / 4.

Kallister: 3 / 4 with a triple.

Nemo Leading Hitters:

Coffman: 4/ 5 with a triple.

Drouilard: 4/5 with a triple and a double.

Doerbaum: 3/ 4 with 2 HRs and a walk.

Wiltshire: 4 / 4 with a HR.

Seguin: 4/ 4 with a double.

Dampier: 3 / 4.

Note: Juan Toro made two diving catches in left center field.

When You Wish Upon A Star Lyrics

When you wish upon a star

 Makes no difference who you are

 Anything your heart desires

 Will come to you

If your heart is in your dream

 No request is too extreme

 When you wish upon a star

 As dreamers do

Faith is kind

 She brings to those she loves

 The sweet fulfillment of

 Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue

 Fate steps in and sees you through

 When you wish upon a star

Your dreams come true.

Write up by Nick Matta

WINTER HAVEN / LAKELAND COMPETITION IS ON TOMORROW


Winter Haven Senior Softball has put together three teams to compete in the annual competition with Lakeland Senior Softball. The games will be tomorrow morning in Lakeland at the Westside Softball Complex. Please be at the ball park no later than 9:00 AM. Games are to begin around 9:30 AM. Winter Haven Senior Softball players will wear their Blue shirts. There will be two American League teams and one National League team. Tommy Hamilton and Joe D'Herin will take care of the American League and Larry Powell will take care of the National League. When you get to the ballpark, find one the managers and he will direct you to your field. Best of Luck to our teams from Winter Haven.


Have Fun, Be Safe.


Don Witmer, Commissioner

Friday, March 6, 2015


Step Up To The Plate And Swing Away.  

I am staying with a baseball theme to finish out this week. See if you can answer the trivia questions and be a star.

Team Zelazny, Yankees, Visitors: Vandenberg, D’Herin, Keller, Doerbaum, Stier, Levesque, Farinas, Denny, Hite, Zelazny, Davis and Wells.

Team Matta, Tigers, Home: Reagan, Dampier, Brock, Wiltshire, Drouilard, Jacobson, Constantine, Seguin, Coffman, Matta, Oesterreich and Kallister.   

Trivia 1: Match up these teams with their home fields. (Rays, Tigers, Rangers, Twins and Astros), (Tropicana Field, Minute Maid Park, Comerica Park, Target Field and Globe Life Park).

 

I can sum up the game in a few sentences. The game started out close, then one team took a huge lead, then the game ended up close. On Tuesday, 3/3, it was all defense and pitching. Today’s game, Friday, 3/6, it was a hitters game. Over 38 runners reached a base safely in today’s game, per team; that averages out to over 4 runners per inning. When looking at the score, after 8 innings of play, you would not have guessed that both teams hit so well. I can assure you that both teams had their Wheaties for breakfast. A few guys even challenged to make the Wheaties box cover, for their play.

Trivia 2: Which (5) of these MLB players listed, have appeared on the Wheaties box? (Dave Winfield, Ted Williams, Pete Rose, Nolan Ryan, Ernie Banks, Tom Seaver and Ozzie Smith).

 

The Visitors started the scoring in the top of the first inning. The big hit was a Jeff Steir homerun, hit over the left fielders head. The Home team answered back with 5 runs of their own. Reagan, Dampier, Wiltshire, Drouilard and Constantine all scored. Seguin and Coffman also had hits that inning. The two outs recorded, by Brock and Jacobson, were useful sacrifice flies. Everyone who batted that inning did their job! After 1 inning the score stood, Yankees: 3-Tigers: 5.

Trivia 3: What are the 7 ways a batter can reach first base in baseball?

 

The Yankees were shut out in the 2^nd inning but the Tigers continued to hit well. The big hits came from Matta and Kallister who doubled and tripled. The Home team scored 4 runs in the 2^nd to take a 9-3 lead.

The Tigers stayed in the game, scoring 3 times in the top of the 3^rd. Doerbaum hit a bomb over the center field fence, with two runners on base, to score the 3 runs. The Home team answered back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Constantine had a triple that sparked the Tigers that inning. After 3 innings of play the score was Yankees: 6 - Tigers: 11.

 

Trivia 4: Who is the only pitcher to win 7 consecutive World Series starts? (Bob Gibson, Whitey Ford, Dave McNally, or Jim Palmer.) 

The Tigers took over the game and kept a healthy lead until the ninth inning. They outscored the Yankees, 8-1, from the 4^th inning, through the 7^th inning. Their efforts were keyed by Mike Wiltshire hitting two home runs and Rick Brock adding a homer of his own.

In the 8^th inning, Doerbaum hit his 2^nd HR over the fence and Denny had a triple, to help the Yankees score 3 runs. Now leading 19-10, the Tigers added 5 runs in the Home team’s half of the 8th inning; it looked like they might be running up the score. They were not, as it turned out, they were protecting their lead. After 8 innings of play the score was Yankees: 10 - Tigers: 24.

 

Trivia 5: Which of these sayings are attributed to Yogi Berra?

1. “Ninety percent of hitting is mental; the other half is physical."

2. "It ain't over till it's over."

3."If fans don't want to come out to the park, nobody's going to stop them."

4. “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

5. All of the above.

The Yankees came to bat in the ninth inning with a mountain to climb, in order to win the game. They must be part mountain goat, because they almost hiked to the peak of the ridge. The Visitors scored 9 runs, on 11 hits, to make it a game. Even though they gave it a valiant effort, the comeback fell short. It was the 5 runs that the Tigers had scored in the 8^th inning, which sealed the Yankees fate. As Yogi Berra might say, “I always thought our lead would last, unless they overtook us.” Final Score: Yankees: 19 - Tigers: 24.

 

Wheaties Box Cover: Mike Wiltshire for his 5/5, with two HRs and a triple hitting and gold glove fielding.

Honorable mention: Dave Doerbaum for his two homeruns over the fence and going 4/5.

Leading hitters for the Visitors:

Vandenberg: 3 / 4. With a HR and 2 walks.

D’Herin: 3/5.

Doerbaum: 4/5. 2 HRs.

Levesque: 3/4 and a walk.

Denny: 4 /5.  With a triple.

Hite: 3/ 5.  With a triple.

Zelazny: 3/ 5.

Davis: 4 / 5.

Leading hitters for the Home team:

Dampier: 4/ 5. With a double.

Wiltshire: 5/5. Two HR’s and a triple.

Drouilard: 4/ 5. With a triple and a double.

Jacobson: 2/3. With a walk, SF and a double.

Constantine: 3/5. With a triple.

Seguin: 4/ 5. With two doubles.

Coffman: 4/5.

Matta: 3/ 5. With a double.

Kallister: 3/5. With a triple.

Trivia Answers:

1.      Rays-Tropicana Field, Tigers- Comerica Park, Twins-Target Field, Rangers- Globe Life Park, Astros-Minute Maid Park.

2.      Winfield, Rose, Williams, Smith and Ryan all have appeared on the Wheaties box. Seaver and Banks have not appeared on the box cover. Although Banks was on a Corn Flakes box cover.

3.       A hit, error, walk, hit by pitch, dropped 3^rd strike, catcher's interference and a fielder's choice will all get a batter to 1^st base.

4.      Bob Gibson came up big, in the “big game”.  He has won the 7^th game of the World Series, twice. Gibson won seven consecutive World Series games. He has pitched eight straight complete games in the Series.

5.      All of the above. “I never said most of the things I said”, Yogi Berra. 

If you went 5/5 in answering the trivia questions, you made the Wheaties box, move over Mike.

If you were 4/5, you are an all-star.

If you answered 3/5, you made the big league roster.

If you were 2/5, you bat last in the line-up.

If you only answered 1 correct, you have to spend some time in the minor leagues.

If you did not get any answers correct, you better take up knitting.

Write up by Nick Matta

WINTER HAVEN / LAKELAND COMPETITION - WEDNESDAY MARCH 11TH


The Winter Haven / Lakeland competition games scheduled for Wednesday, March 11th in Lakeland are on again. It appears that Lakeland has at least 3 teams. If you have previously signed up for the games, you do not have to do anything at this time. If you have previously signed up for the games and are not able to play next Wednesday in Lakeland, please let me know by phone, e-mail or in person. I will remove you from the list. If you would like to play in the games and have not signed up yet, the signup sheet will be available in Auburndale on Friday. Tom Hamilton and Joe D'Herin will be coordinating/managing the competition.      

Take me out to the ball game. Take me out with the crowd. 

With the start of spring training, baseball is getting in gear. I thought it might be fun to throw a little trivia into the write up while summarizing today’s game between the D’Herin/Butler team and the Matta/Davis team. Answers are at the bottom of the page.

D’Herin/ Butler, Tates, Visitors: Pepin, Hamilton, Keller, Jacobson, Levesque, Denny, Essenmacher, D’Herin, Farinas, Vandenberg, Butler and Wells.

Matta/ Davis, Tigers, Home: Coffman, Drouilard, Brock, Wiltshire, Matta, Smith, M.Gonzalez, Seguin, Dampier, Hill, JD and Deano.

There was not an easy out in either team’s line-up, so this should have been a slug fest. It was a good game, but the defense and pitching ruled the day, not the hitters. Base hits were as hard to find as hen's teeth. First Trivia question: How many MLB teams have spring training in Florida?   

It may be spring training in Florida for the MLB players, but the Senior League has been going at it, full tilt, all winter. Although some of the bats today were on spring break. JD Davis shut down the Tates through the first 4 innings. The Tigers built a strong 8 run lead during that same time frame. Gonzalez, Seguin, Dampier, Hill, Davis, Deano, Coffman and Drouilard were responsible for most of the offensive production through the first 4 innings. After 4 innings the score was Tates: 0-Tigers: 8.

 

Trivia question number 2: Can you match up these cities with the spring training teams that play in them? (Lakeland, Bradenton, Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista, Tampa, Dunedin, Clearwater and Port Charlotte). (Rays, Braves, Phillies, Pirates, Yankees, Tigers, Astros and Blue Jays).

 

Things were not looking good for the Tates; remember these were the American League champions in Winter Haven this year. Not only that, they were undefeated, they had not lost a game since Ty Cobb was in little league, or, so it seemed. The Tates were not going to go down without a fight. The 5^th, 6^th and 8^th innings were owned by the Visitors. They scored 8 runs to make it a one run game. (The Home team had scored only 1 run, since the 4^th inning). The big inning for the D’Herin/Butler team came in the 8^th. They scored 3 runs off a Denny homerun. Greg hit a ball deep into the right field corner. Levesque also drove in a run that inning. Going into the bottom of the 8^th the score was Tates: 8-Tigers: 9.

 

Trivia question #3 (2 parts, must get both correct): Which MLB team made Winter Haven their spring home until 2008 and which city did they move to in Arizona?

The Tigers did not want this game to get away from them. In the bottom of the 8^th inning the Tigers showed their claws and flashed their teeth. They scored 3 runs, to extend their small lead. Gonzalez, Seguin, Dampier and Davis all had big hits to help their team score.

After 8 innings the score was Tates: 8-Tigers:12.

 

Trivia question #4 (2 parts, must get both correct): What is the nickname for the MLB spring training league, in Florida? Likewise, what is the name for the Arizona, spring training league?

The Tates needed 4 runs to tie the game in the 9^th. The bloom was off the rose. They were shut out in the 9^th and the Tigers won the game. Final Score Tates: 8-Tigers:12.

 

Game Honors:

JD Davis: WP

Credit Josh Wells for a well-pitched game.

Angel Farinas for turning two double plays.

Dean Schapler for a nice catch in right field.

Mike Wiltshire for a nice play at shortstop.

Terry Smith for turning a double play, 3rd to home.

Greg Denny for a HR.

Visitor’s Leading Hitters:

Keller: 3 / 4.

Denny: 3/ 4.

Butler: 2 /3 and a walk.

Home Team Leading Hitters:

Drouilard: 3 / 4.

Brock: 3 / 4.

Gonzalez: 3 / 4.

Seguin: 2 / 3 and a walk.

Dampier: 3 / 4 with a double.

S. Hill: 3 / 4.

Davis: 3 / 4.

Answers:

1.    Sixteen MLB teams make their spring training home in Florida.

2.    Lakeland-Tigers, Tampa-Yankees, Clearwater-Phillies, Kissimmee-Astros, Dunedin-Blue Jays, Bradenton-Pirates, Port Charlotte-Rays and Lake Buena Vista-Braves.

3.    The Cleveland Indians moved from Winter Haven in 2008 and now make Goodyear, AZ their spring home.

4.    The Florida league is known as the Grapefruit League, the AZ league is the Cactus League.

If you have all four answers correct you hit a HR.

Three correct: Triple.

Two correct: Double.

One correct: Single.

Zero correct: You wear the goat horns.