Winter Haven Senior Softball

Merry Christmas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and I’m not talking about playing softball. Although we do have our share of fun playing ball at WHSS and we act like jolly ol elves, at times.  I am talking about peace on earth and good will to men. I’m talking about the babe in a manger that changed the world. I am talking about Christmas cookies, exchanging gifts, phone calls and visits from loved ones, Christmas lights and Christmas carols. Merry Christmas to all of you softball players and fans alike. I hope you all get a special present under the tree.

With the big day right around the corner. I thought it would be fun to look at today’s American League game, in the spirit of the season, by viewing today’s game action through Christmas carols. See how many songs you recognize. We started out the day with a White Christmas, Florida style, as the teams took batting practice we did so with a light fog over the fields. It covered us like snowy blanket. This is Christmas in Dixie, softball in Dixie too.

The Visiting team, Silver Bells: Hicks, Hamilton, Shirer, Duff, Wiltshire, Held, Stier, Gazarek, Busch, Aufiero and Matta.

The Home team, Jingle Bells, Debrock, Book, Hurn, Jacobson, Guzman, Quinones, Rad, Guzzo, Rivera, Knox and Guttenberg.

With the teams named after bells you would think that out on the lawn there would arose such a clatter that players would jump from the bench to see what’s the matter. Instead the teams were relatively quiet most of the game, as if a blanket of snow had silenced everything. Not many runs were scored, defense was the name of the game. There was no rocking around the Christmas tree, as you can see for yourself when you read the short hitting star section at the end of this article.

The Silver Bells rung out one run, in the first inning, when Shirer, Duff and Wiltshire all singled. It was Shirer who scored the first run of the game when he crossed home plate. He was the first on our team who could sing, “I’ll Be  (safe at) Home For Christmas”.

The visiting team held that lead in the early action. The Home team Jingle Bells were playing Silent Night, they were held scoreless through the first two innings. In the 3^rd inning the Jingle Bells broke the ice; not only scoring, but taking the lead. The had their own Jingle Bell Rock, softball party. Hits from Debrock, Book, Jacobson. Guzman and Quinones all contributed to a four run inning. After 3 innings of play the score was Silver Bells: 1-Jingle Bells: 4.

I know some players want new bats for Christmas, especially after this game, because the old bats were not working. We were like Frosty the Snowman without his hat. The score was Silver Bells: 2-Jingle Bells: 4, after 5 innings.

In the bottom of the 6^th inning the Jingle Bells found Frosty’s hat. There must have been some magic in that old silk hat they found, because when they placed it on their bats they began to dance around.  Jacobson started the 6^th with a single, the next batter was retired and Quinones who had singled was thrown out at the plate after hits by Rad and Guzzo. With two outs and only one run in, Santa Claus came to town. You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I’m telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to town and he is bring a sack full of runs. The Jingle Bell squad singled their way to 4 more runs with hits from Rivera, Knox, Guttenberg and Debrock. The Jingle Bells added their five runs  and took a 9-3 lead into the 7th inning.

The Silver Bells challenged and kept the game close through the final 3 innings. But we were not having a Holly Jolly Christmas game. Somewhere along the way we got run over by a reindeer. The Final Score was Silver Bells 8- Jingle Bells 12.

May the bells ring cheerfully for you and your family. I pray we all may experience Joy to The World. That the Lord would come to all our hearts and homes and bring us peace, love and joy!

Slugging Silver Bells:

Wiltshire: 5/5 with a triple.

Gazarek: 2/2 and two SFs.

Those who jingled all the way, for the Jingle Bells:

Jacobson: 3 / 4 with a triple.

Quinones: 4/4 with a double.

Written by Nick Matta