Winter Haven Senior Softball

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