Another well played game between Jacobson's Tigers and Zelazny's Allstars.  The Allstars jumped out to a  6-2 lead after 2.  Jacobson's Tigers roared back with 9 runs in the 3,4, and 5 innings and the Allstars could only muster 3 making the score 11-9 Tigers.  Jacobson's boys posted 9 more runs while allowing only 3 for the Allstars and giving the Tigers an 8 run lead entering the all you can score 9th.  Tigers went out 1,2,3 in the top half leading 20-12.  The Allstars responded with 7 runs and had the tieing and winning runs on base when Ray Aufiero roped a line drive that Donnie Witmer snagged for the final out.  Final score Tigers 20 and the Allstars 19, great game. 

Tigers

Hicks 5-5

Witmer 2-5

Shirer 4-5

Jacobson 3-4

Dampier 2-4

Book 4-5

Denny 4-5

D'Herin 3-5

Torok 3-5

Marino 3-5

Allstars

Rad 4-5

Guzman 4-5

Wiltshire 3-5

Pepin 3-5

Vanderhyde 3-5

Morton 2-3  2 Sacs

Coffman 4-5

From the good old days

Crusin’ For A Brusin’

I just came off a cruise, so I will use nautical lingo to describe the American League game on 3/28, at Winter Haven. Both team’s rosters were selected before the game and on paper the crew list looked even. In reality the seas were rough for one team, the other team had smooth sailing.

The Visitors were on the Brilliance Of The Sea. The Home Team set sail on Paradise Lost. “Team Brilliance” started off full speed ahead, scoring 5 runs in the first inning and 4 runs in the 2^nd. Wiltshire, Keller, Rad, T. Smith, Pepin, Davis, Vandenberg and Coffman helped their team catch wind in the sails in the first inning, by getting on base and driving in runs. In the 2^nd inning it was Crowell (double), Wiltshire, Rad, Shipley (triple) and Smith who piloted the ship to another big inning. The Paradise Lost team was dragging anchor through the early innings, they were shut out in the 1^st and 2^nd. After 2 innings: Brilliance Of The Sea: 9-Paradise Lost: 0.

Paradise Lost managed to stay afloat in the 3^rd and 4^th innings. Scoring a solo run in each inning and making a little headway. The Visitors cast them off in the 5^th, scoring another 5 runs. By the end of the 5^th the Home team was left in the wake of the Visitors. They did manage to score 2 more runs, but the score indicated that they were taking on water. Visitors: 14- Home: 4.

In the 6^th the Visitors rode another tidal wave to a big inning, scoring 5 more runs. Davis, Matta, Vandenberg, Coffman, Crowell, Vanderhyde and Keller answered the call to “all hands-on deck”. The Paradise Lost team did find their way out of the galley and onto the deck when they came back in the bottom of the 6^th, with 3 runs. Witmer’s HR helped get them on course. After 6 innings, one team was caught in a squall, the score was Brilliance Of The Sea: 19- Paradise Lost: 7.

The seas were relatively placid in the 7^th and 8^th innings. The Visitors scored 2 runs during those innings, the Home team added 1. As we approached Victory Island, it was clear that one team had to give way to the other. We finished the cruise in a flip flop fashion in the 8^th and ninth innings. The Home team batted both innings, while the Visitors were already safely tied up in the port and never batted in the 9th. The Paradise Lost team managed to log in a pair of runs in the 9^th  when Glenn LaPointe hit a homerun, as high as the mainsail, over the left center fence. Their ship had already been scuttled though. Final Score: Brilliance Of The Sea: 21-Paradise Lost: 10.

I wish everyone smooth sailing and calm seas in life.

Captain’s Table For The Visitors:

Wiltshire: 3/5.

Rad: 4/5.

Shipley: 3/5. (Triple).

Smith: 3/5.

Pepin: 3/5.

Davis: 4/5 (Double).

Vandenberg: 4/5.

Coffman: 4/4.

Crowell: 4/4 (2 Doubles).

Captain’s Table For The Home Team.

Jacobson: 4/4.

Essenmacher: 3/3 (Triple).

D’Herin: 2/3.

Tuesday March 21, 2017 National League game on Field D

First of all I would like to thank all the players in the WHSS League for the shirts that will be used in Michigan this summer with a new 75+ softball league.  We will send pictures of the teams during the summer.

Next I would like to add a voice of confidence to the Board of Directors at the WHSS for a job well done.  Also to all who write the articles for the Web Page, some of those articles are worthy of print in the local newspapers, we snowbirds will enjoy reading them all summer.  With Mr. Fabian on the board and better score keeping it will make good reading this summer. 

Now too the game.  Fabian and Black took charge of the visitors. With good leadership they put the team in this order: Black, Knox, Accetta, D. Hill, Kriger, Thompson, Moots, Altemose, Navarro, Bloom, L. Baker, and Fabian to bat.  Don’t know who made the home team line up as we batted in the order that was on the line up board from the leagues board members.  Then everyone took the field and we had our defense in order.  Black came to bat with a black bat and lined a single over shortstop.  Next three went down in order.  No runs. 

The Manage-less team came to bat with Hawbaker leading off followed by Lopez, Learn, Hite (The Bob) Bess, LaMay, Kline, Ducham, Castilleja, Merritt, and Mortan.  Singles by Lopez, Learn and Hite produced one run for the home team.  Very little scoring in the next four innings.  After 5 the score was Visitors 3 Home 6. 

In the sixth the visitors added another run but the home guys rallied to take a good lead by adding 5 of their own. In the 8^th inning the visitors added 4 more to their total and make a game of it while limiting the home guys to only 2 runs.  After eight the score was visitors 9 home team 14.

 The 9^th saw the bats come alive for the visitors who added 8 runs while holding the home to 2 runs.  Ahead now with only 3 outs to go was the visitors.  Bottom of the ninth Bess leads with a single, runner for LaMay reaches base, after one out Ducham lines one to right center, after another out, Merritt bats in a run and goes to second on a throw to the plate.  Now with runners on 2^nd and 3^rd and two outs Morton comes to the plate and put some salt on the ball and lines it to right field scoring the runner from third and Merritt going full speed also scored from second, the winning run.  Final score Visitors 17 Home Team 18.  Players of the game were Merritt and Morton. 

Submitted by Don LaMay

REMINDER     REMINDER    REMINDER     REMINDER
There will be no games in Winter Haven tomorrow, Friday March 24th. There is a SSUSA National Tournament at the Diamondplex. See you Tuesday.


Don Witmer, Commissioner

GOLF TOURNAMENT

April 12th is the date for the League Golf Tournament. Cost is $35 and it includes green fees, prizes, and food.The match will be played at Lake Ashton Golf Club. You can sign up as a foursome or by yourself and we will put you with a group. You need not be a member of the WH Senior Softball league to play. Being a good golfer (or even a golfer) is also not a requirement.  As in past years we will be playing a scramble form. Just come for the fun. Sign up sheet will be located at the sign in table through the end of the month

First pick up game 2017

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From	Joseph D'Herin jdherin@gmail.comhide details
To	Don Witmer seven3vw@aol.com
Cc
Bcc
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Having completed the league play on Tuesday, the boys from Hamiltons Tigers and JD's KFC, with additions, played a very entertaining game on Friday.  Hamiltons guys put up 12 runs the first 3 innings while JD's guys tallied 5 making the score 12-5 Tigers.  Plenty of hits and lots of good plays. Next 4 innings JD's team loosened up and put 10 big ones on the board but the Tigers matched KFC's 10 with 10 of their own.  We only played 7 innings because lunch was ready and the final score was 22-15 Tigers.  There were many hitting highlites led by inside the park homeruns from Torok, Guzzo, Keller, and Crowell.  Would like to congratulate Elmer Black's Nationals and Tom Hamilton's Tigers for winning their respective leagues, well done guys.  Have a great and safe summer.

Tigers

Torok 3-3

Ford  3-4

LePinnet 2-4

Jacobson 2-3

Steir 3-3

Guzman 3-3

Gazarek 2-3

DeRidder 2-3

Guzzo 1-3

Denny 2-3

Hamilton 2-3

Zelazny 3-3

Book 1-3

Vanderhyde 1-3

KFC

Rivera 1-4

Keller 2-3

Shipley 1-3

Seguin 2-3

Carpenter 1-3

Wiltshire 1-3

Busch 3-3

Pepin 2-3

Vanderberg 1-3

JD 2-3

Coffman 2-3

Crowell 2-3

Write up by Joe D'Herin

Well, here we go, another summer season between league play. Congrats to Tommy Hamilton and Elmer Black for winning their divisions. GREAT LEAGUE SEASON.  As Don Witmer said, it came down to the last game in both leagues. 

As we go into the OFF SEASON I am going to harp about the scorekeeping all spring, summer and fall until better books are kept. It's very hard to do a decent write up and recognize all that need to be if one can't realize how they got on base. I do enjoy doing these write ups, especially when the snowbirds are gone as I loved reading about the games when I was a snowbird. I AIN'T NO MORE. 

NOW, ON TO THE GAME.  Larry Strait (rookie mgr. this year and did very well and earned the respect of his teammates) vs Fabian's Flyers. 

It ended in a 12-12 tie. ( yes, I just kissed my sister yesterday). Larry's team jumped out to a 7-0 lead and Fabe's team didn't get going till the 5th inning and did end up tying it by the time the food arrived. 

Strait

S. Hill.          2b and HR

Strait.           2-3

Morton.        2-3

Remington.  2-3

Fabian

Andrews.      2-4

Knox.           3 BB and 3 runs

Dampier.       3-4

LaPointe.      2-4 w/2 HRs. On the 2nd one, his shoe lace came untied between 3rd and home, he 

                         Tripped on it, but still got up to score the tying run. 

                           Acetta.          2-2/w 2 BB

Bowley.         2/BB

J. McPartlan.  Infield single. 

See y'all Tuesday

Write up by Loren Fabian. 

REMINDER     REMINDER     REMINDER     REMINDER


Starting tomorrow, will begin making up the teams based on who shows up. Please sign in at the desk. We will have a league meeting prior to the games. We will announce the results of the election and give the two first place teams their awards. The End of Season party is tomorrow and will take place after the games. The party is a family event so please bring your family. The food is scheduled to arrive at 11:15 AM and the board of directors will be serving the food shortly thereafter.


Thanks.


Don Witmer, Commissioner  

Tuesday, March 14th,

The Demolition Team.

This last day of the regular season, 3/14, we played two, 5 inning, explosive games, between the Yankees, (Toro) and the A’s, (Matta). The A’s took on the persona of their sponsor, (River City Demolition). Since the last of January, we had only lost one game. We demolished the schedule in February and March, like Chuck Norris demolishes his foes.  This two-game write-up will contain a tribute to the ultimate demolition guy, Chuck Norris; producer, entrepreneur, Air-Force Vet and actor. 

We needed to do the impossible, kill 3 birds with one stone.  Only Chuck Norris can do that, in fact, Chuck Norris can kill three stones with one bird.  The A’s needed to win the last two games to possibly force a playoff with the Tigers. The championship would also depend on the outcome of Tigers- KFC game, being played on Field E. We needed the Tigers to lose.

Chuck Norris was born in March (3/10) in 1940. When he was born, the doctor did not slap him, instead Chuck Norris slapped the doctor.

The Demolition A’s slapped the ball around the field, in the first two innings of game 1, we took a 10-2 early lead.  Jeff Stier and Bobby Reagen punctuated the innings, they pulverized the ball and hit homeruns.

Chuck Norris is so tough, he washes his eyes out with sawdust.

The Yankees mush have had sawdust in their eyes for most of game 1. By the 5^th and last inning, they were down 16-5.  Meanwhile, A’s players; Shirer and Reagan, were doing their best Chuck Norris impersonation by exploding on the ball and hitting triples. Guzman and Goose both smashed doubles to aid in the scoring. While the big Frenchman, Glen LePinnot, was the wrecking ball. Glen annihilated the ball, hitting it over the left field fence.

To feel safe at night, Superman wears Chuck Norris Pajamas. 

The Yankees had no superman outfits, or Chuck Norris pajamas, to wear. The Yankees bats were cold in game 1 and never heated up, only Chuck Norris can make a fire by rubbing 2 ice cubes together. The Yanks went down quietly in the last inning and turned their attention to game 2.  Final Score: Yankees: 5-A’s: 16.

GAME 2

The Yankees were in it, to win it. Chuck Norris can make a Happy Meal cry. The Yankees wanted to take away our happy meal and make us cry. Toro’s squad took an early 5-3 lead over the A’s, in the first inning. The efforts by Rivera, Johnny O, Doerbaum, Vanderhyde, Toro and Crowell all factored into the 5-run outburst.

Once a cobra bit Chuck Norris' leg. After five days of excruciating pain, the cobra died.

Like Chuck Norris, the A’s had been bit by a cobra. We had to fight back. The Demolition A’s bull dozed right over the cobra, during the next two innings, scoring 5 runs in both the 2^nd and the 3^rd. Chuck Norris is the reason Waldo is hiding. While Waldo was hiding, the A’s found their bats. Book, Carpenter, Reagen, Matta, Goose, Shier and Guzman put the bats to work in the 2nd.  Jack was nimble, Jack was quick, but Jack still couldn't dodge Chuck Norris' roundhouse kick. In the 3^rd, Quinones, LePinnet, Wiltshire, Book, Carp, Reagen and Matta all had roundhouse kicks that made a difference.

The 3^rd inning was productive for the Yankees, as well. Chuck Norris is so smart, he knows Victoria's secret and Don Held still knows how to hit homeruns. Held smashed a 3-run dinger, over the right field fence, to keep the Yankees in the game. After 3 innings, the score was A’s: 13-Yankees: 8.

Chuck Norris sleeps with a pillow under his gun. The Yankees loaded their guns in the 4^th. They shut out the A’s and added 2 runs of their own, to make it a tight 13-10 game in favor of the A’s.

If it looks like chicken, tastes like chicken, and feels like chicken but Chuck Norris says its beef, then it's beef. The A’s put some beef into their bats in the last inning. Leading by 3 runs, we doubled our lead by scoring 3 more runs. Hits by Quinones, LePinnet, Book and Coffman stretched the lead to A’s: 16- Yankees: 10.

Death once had a near-Chuck-Norris experience. The Yankees were down 6 runs in the last inning, but they would not roll over and die. After making their first out of the inning the Yankees recorded 7 straight hits by, Constantine, Doerbaum, Held, Vanderhyde, Toro, Crowell and Zelazny. That rally produced 5 runs, while placing the tying and winning runners on base. The next batter flew out and moved the runners to 2^nd and 3^rd, the A’s were in a precarious position. Chuck Norris can unscramble an egg. That is exactly what the A’s were able to do. They unscrambled the egg, got out of the mess and won the game, by retiring the last batter on a ground out to first.  Final Score: A’s :16-Yankees: 15. (Note: Coffman had the game winning hit for the A’s, back in the top of the 5th).

When Chuck Norris swims in the ocean, the sharks are in a steel cage.

The A’s had a great year, 13-5-1, was our final record. We were a tough team to beat. We won 6 in a row to close out the season, many of those games were won in dramatic fashion. Thanks to all the guys on my team for giving me your best effort. You turned out to be the solid players that I thought you were, when I drafted you. You provided many good memories. It turns out that we just fell a little short in our quest. Yesterday, Chuck Norris got shot, today is the bullet’s funeral. I know the A's players will continue to be resilient, just like Chuck Norris. The Tigers won their last game, defeating KFC. It gave them a 14-5 record and the championship. Congratulations to coaches Tommy Hamilton, Joe D’Herin and all the great players on the Tigers team for a tremendous season! Even Chuck Norris would have a tough time beating you guys, but he would beat you, even without a bat; because nobody beats Chuck Norris.
Sharks have a week of TV shows dedicated to Chuck Norris.

This is the dedication for the Yankees leading hitters, (both games combined).

Constantine: 3/5.

Doerbaum: 5/5.

Held: 5/5, with a double and HR.

Vanderhyde: 4/5.

Toro: 4/5.

Here is the dedication for the A’s leading hitters, (both games combined).

Goose: 4/6, double.

Stier: 4/5, HR, SF, double.

Shirer: 6/6, triple, double.

Guzman: 3/5, double and SF.

Quinones: 5/5, SF, 2 doubles.

Book: 4/5, 2 doubles.

Carpenter: 3/4, SF.

Reagen: 4/5, HR and triple. (Very Chuck Norris like).

Matta: 4/4.

LePinnot: 4/4, HR.

Year Ending, OBP leaders, for the A’s.

The 700 Club:

Shirer: 59/74, .797, incredible!

Matta: 52/72,.722.

Goose: 52/74, .702.

The 600 Club:

Essenmacher: 39/57, .684.

Book: 49/72, .680.

Quinones: 44/70, .628.

Stier: 48/77, .623.

More Chuck Norris Softball

Chuck Norris will not play against your softball team, he does not consider 11-1 fair odds for you.

Bats were regulated to be no longer than 34 inches, otherwise Chuck Norris would come to the plate swinging a tree.

When Chuck Norris drinks Gatorade, he squeezes his own, from live gators.

When Chuck Norris throws the old horsehide, the entire horse is still attached.

Chuck Norris already beat the Tigers, not Hamilton’s team, but real Tigers in the jungles of India.

No one steals an extra base from Chuck Norris and lives to tell about it.

Chuck Norris can catch any fly ball hit to the outfield, even when he is playing catcher.

When Chuck Norris takes batting practice, the moon gets new craters.

Chuck Norris was once thrown out at 2^nd base. He slid so hard, he ended up in China and never reached the base.

Chuck Norris does not have to swing a bat to hit a homerun. After the pitcher releases the ball, Chuck Norris stares at it and the ball retreats over the outfield fence.

Write Up By Nick Matta

Tuesday, March 14th
This was the last game between the Yankees and the Giants.
These two teams put on an incredible performance.
There were 48 hits for the Yankees.  Also 37 hits for the Giants.
Yankee Hitters:  J. Simon.          6-7
                            D. Hartley.        6-7, hr.
                            P. Accetta.       6-7
                            F. Jacobs.         5-6, hr.
                            L. Grabb.           5-7, sf.
Giant Hitters:     B. McLellan.     6-6, bb.
                            B. Hite.               5-6, bb.
                            V. Bess.              5-6, bb.
                            L. Kriger.           4-6, bb.
The game ended in a tie, 33 to 33 after ten innings. Both teams scored nine runs in the tenth inning.
Submitted by M. Bloom, Giant's Manager

Tuesday, March 14th

Hamilton's Tigers took on JD's KFC Allstars (minus JD) in an important game for the Tigers.  A win over KFC would assure the Tigers of the American league championship for the third year in a row.  Not sure if a 3peat has happened in our league.  The game was well played with KFC jumping out to a 7-4 lead after 3 innings.  Seemed like Hamilton's Tigers well hit line drives were finding the KFC gloves.  The tide changed in the 4,5, and 6 innings when the Tigers pushed across 8 runs on some clutch hits by Ford,Hamilton,Jacobson,Gonzales,Gazarek,DeRidder, and Farinas.  KFC could only muster 1 run in these 3 innings.  With the score 12-8 Tigers ahead, KFC put up 4 runs in the top of the 8th to tie the score at 12.  KFC might have the Colonel Sanders, but he was no match for General Hamilton's Tigers who put 2 runs on the board in the bottom of the 8th to go ahead 14-12.  Key hits were delivered by Farinas,Hicks, and a 2 run double down the right field line by Doug Ford.  Miguel Gonzales got the KFC boys on 3 fly outs to end the game.  Final score 14-12 Tigers.  Congrats to the Tiger team for the 3peat!!  Well played game by both squads.

Tigers

Ford  3-5

Hicks 2-5

Hamilton 2-5

Jacobson 3-4

Gazarek 2-3

DeRidder 3-4

Farinas 3-4

Denny 2-4

KFC

Seguin 2-4

Dash 2-4

Pepin 3-4

Felix 3-4

Rad 2-4

Abreu 2-4

Jose 2-4

PenGeo (KFC) Video

The Video Stars

Some of you guys are so handsome that you made it past the cutting room floor.

Tuesday, March 14th

Games are on.  Bring your jackets.  20 MPH wind out of the North.

REMINDER     REMINDER     REMINDER     REMINDER


HALL OF FAME BANQUET IS THIS WEDENSDAY EVENING, MARCH 15TH. SOCIAL HOUR IS FROM 5:30 TO 6:30 IN THE TDY ROOM AT THE AMERICAN LEGION IN WINTER HAVEN. THE BANQUET STARTS AT 6:30 PM.


PLEASE SHOW UP TO HONOR RICHARD MOOTS AND LARRY SWEET AS THEY ARE INDUCTED INTO THE POLK COUNTY SENIOR SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME.


THANKS.


DON WITMER

Friday, March 10th

Classic Softball

Another classic ball game, this time the Tigers (Hamilton) and the A’s (Matta) played each other in the Grand Old Game.

“This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good and could be good again.”
Field of Dreams (1989) – Terrence Mann (James Earl Jones)

We play this game of Senior Softball for fun, for competition, exercise and fellowship. The Tigers and A’s both had a good showing today. Good sportsmanship was exhibited by both teams and we had the blessing of good competition. The A’s took an early lead after scoring 2 runs in the first. Hits by Alumbaugh, Quinones, Stier and Matta started out the action. The lead did not last long. The Tigers tied it in the 2^nd. Tigers: 2 - A’s: 2, after two innings of play.

 “Man, this is baseball, you gotta stop thinking! Just have fun.”
The Sandlot (1993) – Benny Rodriguez (Mike Vitar).

Both teams did more thinking, than hitting, through the next two innings. The Tigers were shut out in the 3^rd and 4^th, the A’s managed only 2 runs. After 4 innings the score was Tigers: 2-A’s: 4.

“When the bat meets that ball and you feel that ball just give, you know it's going to go a long way. …you feel like you're going to live forever.”
Eight Men Out (1988) – Buck Weaver (John Cusack) 

In the 5^th inning the Tiger’s bats met the ball. DeRidder, Farinas, Denny, D’Herin, Hicks, Ford and Hamilton put the composite cylinders to work and they scored 5 runs. The A’s answered back with 3 runs in the bottom of the inning. Coffman, Reagen, Goose and Quinones worked to tie the game.  After 5 innings, the game was like the uncola, tied, 7 UP.

Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford): “Red, it took me sixteen years to get here. You play me, and I'll give ya the best I got.”
Red Blow, (Richard Farnsworth): “I believe ya.” The Natural.

Both teams were giving it the best they had and were trying to take a commanding lead in the game. However, good pitching and defense was keeping the scoring down. The Tigers scored 2 in the 6^th and 3 in the 7^th. The A’s countered with 1 run and then a 5-run outburst. After 7 innings, the A’s held a slim lead, Tigers: 12 - A’s: 13.

“Tonight, he will make the fateful walk to the loneliest spot in the world, the pitching mound at Yankee Stadium, to push the sun back into the sky and give us one more day of summer.”
For the Love of the Game (1999) – Vin Scully (himself) 

Both pitchers took the mound in the 8^th, determined to keep their teams in the game. Larry Book shut out the Tigers. Angel Farinas, returned the favor and shut out the A’s.  There was a lot of drama, even though a single run was not scored. It set up a winner take all ninth inning, with the A’s still clinging to a 1 run lead.

“C'mon Hobbs, knock the cover off the ball!” Pop Fisher, (Wilford Brimley), The Natural.

The Tigers needed someone to knock the cover off the ball. Torok and D’Herin started the inning with solid base hits. After retiring the next batter, the Tigers found their Roy Hobbs. Doug Ford hit a shot to the warning track in left field. Fortunately for the A’s, John ”The Shark” Carpenter ran after the screaming fly ball and made a tremendous over the shoulder catch. It gave the A’s a much needed 2^nd out on defense. Ford’s effort was not in vain though, the Tigers were able to tag and score the tying run, from 2^nd base, on the out. Now with two outs and a go ahead run on 2^nd base, Tommy Hamilton received an intentional walk. The next batter hit a hard liner to the right field corner, but Nick Matta was able to run it down and make the catch, the side was retired.

After 9 and a half innings the score was Tigers: 13-A’s: 13.

“Willie Mays Hayes. I hit like Mays, and I run like Hayes.” Willie Mays Hayes,(Wesley Snipes), Major League.

The A’s came up to bat in the bottom of the 9^th needing a run for the win. That’s when our version of Willie Mays Hayes, Jeff Stier, showed up. He started the inning with a hit. Jeff then tagged and slide into second when Matta hit a fly out, to right center. Walt Deemie was then intentionally walked. With one out Larry Book came to the plate.

Roy Hobbs, (Robert Redford): “Pick me out a winner Bobby.” The Natural.

Book picked a winner from the bat rack. He drove a single into right field and scored Willie Mays Hays, I mean, Jeff Stier, from 2^nd base.

Final Score: Tigers: 13-A’s: 14.

Pop Fisher, (Wilford Brimley): “People don't start playing ball at your age, they retire!” The Natural.

At the end of the game we were all winners, we can still play a kid’s game and have fun. 

 

Leading Hitters For The Tigers:

Hicks: 3/5.

Hamilton: 3/5, 2 doubles.

Jacobson: 3/5.

DeRidder: 3/4.

Leading Hitters For The A’s: 

Goose: 3/5.

Alumbaugh: 3/5.

Quinones: 4/5, Double.

Stier: 3/ 4 double and a SF.

Book: 4/5.

Carp: 3/ 4.

Coffman: 3/4. 

Write up by Nick Matta                    

Friday, March 10th 

Powell's Braves continued its winning streak by beating the Number one team-Black's Nationals.

The Braves scored in every inning except the sixth inning. The Nationals only scored in 4 innings. The Braves scored 4 in the  first inning to take the lead.
The Nationals were never able to catch up. Final score was 20-8.
Hitters for the Nationals were : Ray Roy 1-2 , 3 walks, Bill Rutan 3-4,1 double,
Sam Lopez 2-3, Don Hawbaker 4-4, Reggie Barnes 3-4.
Hitters for the Braves were: Juan Castillo 4-5, one double, Gary Burtner 5-5,one double, Fred Dampier 5-5, one triple, one double,Robert Spitaleri 4-5, one double,
Ray Levesque 5-5, two home runs, one double.
Larry Powell was the winning pitcher.
The Braves have now won ten games in a row. Next Tuesday they have the opportunity to make it eleven games in a row and tie for second place after starting the season in last place.
Submitted by Larry Powell

Friday, March 10th.
The Giants and Tigers clashed on Field "C" on a beautiful clear day.
The Tigers had Twenty-Five hits which included one home run.
The Giants had Twenty-Two hits with two home runs.
Tiger Hitters:     H. LeTourneau  4-5, hr
                            D. Parker.          4-5
                             J. Remington.  3-4
                             J. Altemose.     3-4
Giant Hitters:      B. McLellan    2-4,hr
                             B. Hite.              4-4
                             G. Andrews.        3-4
The Final Score was Tigers 17, Giants 7.
Submitted by M. Bloom, Giant's Manager

Friday, March 10th
On Field D, JD's KFC ALL STARS faced off against Freddie's Angels. The KFC boys came out hitting with 8 runs scored in the first two innings. It was the sixth inning before the Angels could recover and take the lead. The Angels lost the lead in the seventh but regained the lead in the eight and held on in the ninth to win the game. Final Score: Angels 18   KFC 15.
Leading Hitters for the Angels: Dan Reponen 5/5, Don Witmer 4/4, Dave Shipley, Mike Wiltshire and Tim Thiry were 4/5, Felix Navarro and Morty Ogden were 3/4 and a new player to WHSS, Glen LePinnet was 3/5.
Leading Hitters For KFC: Don Keller 5/5, Scott Seguin and Jose Vallecillo were 3/4, Rad Pcholinski and Vidal Villaba were 3/5.
Write up by Don Witmer

Friday, March 10th

Final score of Fabian's Flyers 23 and Simon's Yankees 17. It went the whole 9 innings as the Polk State College girls had played an away game the night before and never showed for practice. There were 3 very notable things during the game. First, Frank Jacobs was 5 for 5 with 4 of those clearing the right field scoreboard. 2nd, Jimmy McPartlan made a fine foul ball catch running towards 3rd base while manning the catcher position. 3rd, the Flyers turned a total of 4 double plays and nearly had a 5th. All in all it was a well played game. 

What a fantastic season it has been with 3 of the 6 teams in the national league battling for 1st and 2nd place with only next Tuesday's game remaining. Good luck to everyone especially Powell's team that started out 1-7 and since have won 9 in a row. 

Yankee hitters. Grabb 3-4, Jacobs 5-5, Hartley 4-5, Travis F. 3-5. Gene Dudley also pitched a fine game as Jerry Witter did for the Flyers. 

Flyer hitters. Andrews 4-5, Boswell 4-5, Laffoon 5-5, Hapeman 4-5, Knox 5-5, Kline 4-5, Fabian 1-2 w/2BB. 

Win, lose or draw it has been a fantastic season and I want to thank our whole team for being so loyal and on time. It really does make being a manager quite easy and very fun. Especially Doug Hapeman, was on IR for much of the season, but still came out to help manage and keep very accurate books. 

Let's go win one more Flyers.   I also want to explain why the hockey name of Flyers. It's simply the name I used when I managed during the off season so just decided to keep it for the league.

Write up by Loren Fabian 

Tuesday. March 7th

Hamilton's Tigers faced off against Freddy's Angels resulting in another well played and exciting game by both teams.  The Angels jumped to a 13-7 lead after 4 innings.  However, Hammer's boys responded with 18 runs while Freddy's boys could only come up with  9 runs falling short by 3.  Final score Tigers 25 Angels 22. The game provided plenty of hitting from both teams and many fine defensive plays. It seems that every game results in the good hits and plays and some luck.  Well played game by both teams and good sportsmanship by all.  On a more serious note, our commissioner, Donnie Witmer took a nasty bad hop grounder directly to the mouth and nose. I talked to him later in the day and other than a couple cuts inside his mouth and some swelling, he is all right. On the lighter side,  his mouth was shut and he didn't lose any teeth and the league didn't lose a new ball!!!!!!   Great game guys!

Tigers

Torok 4-6

Ford 4-6

Hamilton 5-6

Jacobson 4-5

Gonzales 3-4

DeRidder 4-6

Scarbrough  3-5

Farinas 3-6

Denny 4-5

Angels

Witmer 3-6

Guzman 4-6

Shipley-4-5

Brock 3-4 2)walks

Busch 4-6

Thirey 3-5

Felix 4-5

Goose 3-4
Write up by Joe D'Herin

Tuesday, March 7th

The Braves vs The Tigers on Field B.

The Braves took a quick lead. It was 7-0 after three innings.

Tigers tried to catch up but the Braves defense was tough. Going into the ninth inning the score was Braves 12 and The Tigers 6.

Tigers scored two in the top of the ninth but that wasn't enough.

Final score was Braves 12 and Tigers 8.

This was the Braves 8th win in a row!

Leading hitters for The Tigers : Ray Aufiero 4-4, BJ Kallister 3-4, Ted Taylor 2-3, Joe Letourneau 2-3.

Leading hitters for The Braves: Gary Burtner 4-4, Fred Dampier 4-4, John Gibson 2-3

Winning Pitcher Larry Powell

Submitted by Larry Powell

Tuesday, March 7th
Today's game between JD's Kentucky Fried Chickens and Juan's Yankees was not particularly exciting on two fronts. The first was that JD failed to meet the minimum number of players and had to forfeit and the second was that after the second inning the outcome as far as play on the field was never in doubt.
The game began with JD sending nine batters to the plate in the first. Fortunately for the Yanks they only score four runs. The Yanks responded with five of their own on five singles and two doubles. The second inning the Chicks score five quick runs. The Yanks only managed to get one out that inning. The Yanks were better at making outs that putting others out and only sent four batters to the plate.In the third the Chicks scored three with Rad's home run being the big hit. The Yanks responded with two as Dave Doerbaum got a triple. Each team manged a single run in the fourth,fifth, and sixth innings. Along the way Glen (our new guy) hit one over the fence. JD's bombers got two in the seventh and managed to hold the Yanks to a single run.
In the eighth it looked like both teams were going to break out but solid defense shut down both teams. So going into the last inning JD's team held a six run lead. That is the way it ended as neither team managed to score in the ninth. Final score JD's KFC 18 and Juan's Yankees 12.
Key performances defensively were Johnny Ojeda who threw out two runners at home and managed a couple double plays along the way.
Offensively there were a number of standout:
Rad went five for six while hitting for the cycle.
Glen went five for five with a fence clearing monster hit and two others that reached the fence.
Willie went four for five
Don Keller and Scott went four for six
Dave Doerbaum went five for five with a triple
Write up by Bob Zelazny

Tuesday, March 7th
The game on Field D was one of the most exciting and unpredictable games of the season in the National league.  Simon's Yankees were the home squad vs Black's Nationals.  The Yankees had a strong start and  after 7 innings led 23-13.  Black's Nationals stormed back in the top of the eighth inning to score 10 runs and tied the contest.  They sent 14 batters to the plate in that comeback inning.  The Yankees went three and out in the bottom half of the eighth and the score was tied going into the ninth frame.  Incredibly, both squads put up donuts in the ninth and a tenth inning was played.  The Nationals scored seven unanswered runs and secured the win. The WP was Hal Ridley.  Final score was Black's Nationals 30 and Simon's Yankees 23. This game was hard fought on both sides and both teams showed great sportsmanship. Submitted by Jeff Simon

Tuesday, March 7th

Fabian's Flyers took the field against Bloom's Giants. The Giants took the lead with 3 in the top of the first, but the Flyers came back with 5 in the bottom and the race was on for 5 run innings.  Both teams got 5 again in the 2nd but then Bloom's Giants put up back to back goose eggs while the Flyers scored 4 in the 3rd and another nickel in the 4th and led 19-8. The last 5 innings, the Flyers got 3 more nickels and ended up scoring in every inning. Bloom managed 3 and another 5 and another 3, but got blanked in the 8th and 9th for a final of Fabian 32 and Bloom 19. 

As you will see there were many hits and consequently both teams played very good defense. About a total of 8 cleared the short fence and when they weren't flying out, it's like the ball had eyes for many hits. 

Bloom's Giants

Kriger.          4-5

Bloom.        5-5    

Herb O.       5-5

McClellan.  4-5

Bess.           3-5

G. Andrews. 4-5

Cathy MacDonald 4-6

Fabian's Flyers

A. Andrews.     5-5

Boswell.           4-5

Laffoon.           4-4

Schapeler.       4-5

Knox.               4-5

LaPointe.          5-5

O'Callahan.      4-4

Write up by Loren Fabian. 

Friday, March 3rd

On Field A, The Giants(Bloom) and The Braves(Powell), played a close game right to the last inning.

The Braves  scored 5 runs in the first inning to take the lead. The Giants tied the game in the third inning at 6-6. The Braves took the lead again in the next three innings . The Giants tied the game in the top of the sixth inning, but the Braves scored 5 runs in the bottom to retake the lead. The Giants had one more chance in the seventh inning but were held to no runs. Final score was 18-13. The Braves have now won seven games in a row to climb out of the cellar.

Hitters for the Giants. Kriger -3-4, Herbie O--3-4, one double, Bess-2-3 , one walk, Bill McLellan-3-4, one double.

Hitters for The Braves: Duff Hill -4-4, 2 doubles, Fred Dampier-4-4, 3 doubles, Larry Powell-4-4.

Winning pitcher was Larry Powell

Submitted by Larry Powell

Friday, March 3rd

An exciting game was played today between the Tigers and Yanks.  Game was tied 15-15 after 5 innings.  The Yanks went ahead in the top of the 8th only to be tied again after the Tigers scored 7 in the bottom of the inning.  In the 9th inning the Yanks could not score and the Tigers responded with a lead off single by Stevie Hicks and scored the winning run on a 1 out double by Doug Ford.  There was plenty of hitting with the Yanks hitting 4 home runs by Ojeda, Keller, and Doerbaum (2) over the fence.  The Tigers had one hit by Miguel Gonzales.  A number of great defensive plays by Bob Z, Jose Rivera, Dave Doerbaum, Les Jacobson, Vidal Villalba, and Doug Ford.  Final score was 28-27 Tigers.

Good game both sides!

Tigers

Hicks  5-6

Villalba 4-6

Ford 3-5

M. Gonzales 4-5

Scarbrough 4-5

Farinas 3-5

Denny 5-5

Torok 4-5

Ayers 4-5

Yanks

Rivera 6-6

Constantine 3-5

Ojeda 4-4

Doerbaum 2-2

Glenn 3-6

Keller 5-6

Rey 3-5

Zelazny 3-5
Write up by Joe D'Herin

Friday, March 3rd

The Tale of The Hurricane

You will probably read about the wind in most of the game recaps for 3/3, this one included. I will take it one step further and base the entire write up on the weather. Indeed, our first March game had some gusts of wind, the weather service called for 15-20 MPH and we hit it, along with the softball. As you know, Florida is the sunshine state and we get plenty of rays, at least we had a beautiful sunny day to play ball. On an average Florida averages over 100 clear sunny days a year. The Apalachicola region, in the panhandle, leads the state of Florida for the clearest days with sun, with 128. Yuma, AZ, in comparison, gets 242 clear, sunny days a year. Florida is known to be the consistently warmest state, in the continental US.

The A’s took on the Angels to see who could best conquer the wind and win the game today. The A’s started the game with a breeze in their sails, we scored 9 runs in the first three innings. The Angels were tossed like a kite in the wind and crashed several times into the ground. After 3 innings, the score was 9-2, in favor of the A’s.

In the 4^th inning the Angels brewed up a storm of their own, scoring 7 runs to tie the game. Guzman, Busch, Wiltshire, McCollough, Reponen, Wise, JD , Thirey and Shipley provided the gust that was needed to score the runs. After 4 innings, A’s: 9- Angels: 9.

Over the next several innings both teams were caught in a whirlwind. The game stayed tight until the 8^th inning. That is when the whirlwind became a tornado, with the Angels at the vortex. They scored 5 runs in the bottom of the 8^th ,while having shut out the A’s in the top of the 8^th. After 8 innings, the score was A’s: 15- Angels: 20. Storm Warning: This was the quiet before the storm for the A's.

The real storm made landfall at the DiamondPlex in the 9^th inning. The A’s hit like a hurricane. Shirer, Quinones, Matta, and Essenmacher started the storm surge with hits. Then Book came up in the eye of the hurricane and blew the barn roof off, with a bases clearing triple. Carp, Coffman, Reagen, Bailey, Goose, Alumbaugh, Stier all littered the field with debris, in the form of hits and sacrifice flies. We had worked our way through the lineup, but the storm persisted. It was another round of hitting again with Shirer, Quinones, Matta and Essenmacher reaching base. Finally, the winds of rallying died down and the hurricane passed. The damage was done though, the A’s scored 13 runs. The Angels bats hit a cold front in the bottom of the 9th and the game ended with the final score of A’s: 28-Angels: 20.  

More weather phenomena: Kirk Coffman was the storm chaser. He made several good defensive plays, while playing as the middle fielder.

Special thanks to chief meteorologist, Ron Pepin ,for umpiring the game. Pep did a great job.

Players swinging hot bats for the A’s:

Alumbaugh: 4/6.

Stier: 4/6.

Shirer: 4/6. Double

Quinones: 4/5 and a SF.

Matta: 4/6.

Essenmacher: 6/6.

Book: 4/5. Triple

Carp: 4/5.

Coffman: 4/5.

Reagen: 3/5.

Bailey: 3/5.

Players swinging hot bats for the Angels:

Shipley: 3/5.

Brock: 4/5.

Guzman: 3/5.

Busch: 5/5.

Wiltshire: 4/5.

Reponen: 4/5.

JD: 4/4. Double.

Write up by Nick Matta

Fr. Mar. 3rd. Todays game was probably the craziest game I have been involved with in my

21 yrs. of WHSS. Fabian's Flyers and Black's Nationals should of both been chomping at

the bit to win, as it was an important game to win for both teams, but then all games are important.

The score looked like this:

Inning    1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    Total

Flyers     4    0    0    0    5    1    5    0    2      17

Nats        2    2    5    1    1    1    0    1     5     18




Hitting:

Flyers                                                      Nationals

                                                               


Andrews    3/5                                         King       3/4  Hr. T     Also good hitting Bill

Boswell      3/5                                         Lopez    4/5    ( turned a HR. into a triple )  

Lafoon        5/5   Good game Jim            Ridley     4/5

Don Schapeler  4/5 D                               Hawbaker   3/5 D

Kline           3/4                                         Guspyt        3/5 D Drove in the winning run

Note: This is my last write-up as we finish with 3 road games and the home team does the reporting.

In my 21 years, this has been the most enjoyable bunch of guys I have ever played with.

Thanks a million guys.

Submitted by Elmer Black

Tuesday, February 28th
The temperature was hot on this last day of February and so were the bats of Freddie's Angels as they took on Toro's Yankees on Field C. Every batter on the Angels hit at least .500 and the team average was  over .650 for the day. In addition to hot bats, the Angels had a hot defense as they held Toro's great hitting Yankee's to just 12 runs. Felix Navarro returned to the team today (slightly injured) and pitched a great game. Thanks to Don Torok and Randy Luttrell for helping the Angels win the game today. Final Score Angels 17 and Yankees 12.
Write up by Don Witmer