Friday, June24th

It was a hot and muggy 🔥 day where the temp on the field I'm sure was over 100 degrees and the heat index was 108. A couple of times tempers got nearly that warm as well.  But we all survived and proceeded to play the 6 inning game. Managers were Zelazny, Constantine and Spitaleri. 

Again, the score sheets were not kept very accurately including the runs. The final on the game scoreboard said 18-18-17 with the Spitaleri team owning the 17 run score. However, when I tally up the runs on all score sheets they all indicate 18 runs.  Go figure!!!!  

Noting 3 highlights of the game, in the 2nd inning, Richie Marino smacked a ball down the right field line which nearly made it to the fence before Wally could corral it and Marino made it all the way around for the HR.  He was so winded he couldn't even utter "take that sucka".

Not to be out done Bob Hudson got one to the fence in the same inning for his HR.

The play of the game was the game ending DP.

At 3rd base. With the tying run on 3rd and bases full with one out a liner was headed for the left field line, but Fred Gonzalez leaped, back handed it and came down directly on 3rd base and the runner was off the base for the game ending double play. 

No games Tuesday, so see y'all Friday July 1.

Write up by Loren Fabian 

 NOTICE     NOTICE     NOTICE     NOTICE     NOTICE

NO GAMES TOMORROW, TUESDAY JUNE 28TH. FIELDS ARE CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE.

Friday June 24th

Games are on. It is going to be hot today. Lets get here and get the games going. 


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 Tuesday, June 21st

Great game today managed by Bob Zelazny and Chris Constantine with the Constantine score sheet being manned by Wally. Constantine was ahead 5-3 after 3 innings in what turned out to be a fairly low scoring affair.  Zelazny went up 

9-5 after 5 innings and it was all knotted up at 9 after 6 innings. But that was the end of the scoring for Zelazny as they put up goose eggs 🥚 in the last 3 innings while Constantine scored a total of 7 runs over the last 3 innings for final of 16-9 in favor of the Constantine team. 

There was not an abundance of hits in the low scoring game but I will list the ones that were recorded for the Zelazny team. 

Each of the following players had 2 hits.

    Lynch, Learn,  Boito, Castilleja, Lopez, 

    Vandenberg 

Each of the following players contributed 1 hit

    Spitaleri, Mark T.  Zelazny, Muniz, B.J., Gelesky,

    Lopiccolo

Only 2 hits were recorded on the other sheet.

I have a quite good memory,  but its just not very long so I cannot list the hits for Chris's team but I'm sure there were many. 

Again, the gentle breeze stayed with us the entire game enabling us to play the entire 9 innings. 

See y'all Friday and stay safe. 

Write up by Loren Fabian 

Comments from the Commissioner:

Fabian is doing a great providing write-ups after every game. He needs the help of all of the scorekeepers to mark the hits, runs and outs on the scoresheet so he can give credit where credit is deserved. If you want to learn how to keep score, I can teach you in about 1 minute. It is a fun job and keeps you in the ballgame. 

There was a board meeting on Tuesday and one of the board members wants us to chalk a line at first base to try to prevent collisions. The board opted to have a first base fielding clinic instead of the chalk line which I volunteered to do. We will hold the clinic soon and if you ever plan on playing first base you should attend. The clinic should take about 5 minutes. 

The ballfields will be closed on Tuesday, June 28th for maintenance. If that changes, I will keep everyone informed as I get more information.

Don Witmer 

Tuesday June 21st

Games are on. 


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Friday, June 17th

2 teams today were managed by Robert Spitaleri and Loren Fabian so we'll call them Spit and Fabe.  Spit had the visiting team and jumped to a 10-1 lead at the end of 3 and it didn't seem like they would ever look back as they added 2 more in the 5th and 1 in the 6th.  But The Fabe team managed 4 runs in 4th and 7th innings to pull within 4 with 2 innings to go. And we had to be thankful for a nice breeze the entire game or it may have been over then, but umpire in chief, our commissioner, asked for a poll in the 5th inning to play 7 or 9 innings and all agreed on 9.  It really got interesting in the top of the 8th as the Spit team plated a big nickel to go up by 9 runs and the Fabe team put up a big goose egg.

Spit followed with a goose egg 🥚 in the top of the 9th.  The home team came off the field saying if all 14 player get a chance to hit we can tie or win this game. Didn't look very good for them, but they did send 15 batters up and pulled it off 19-18. Everyone had a good time and the home team was thankful for the breeze. 😆 

On to the hitters.  Many hits today.

4 hits. Muniz, Testa

3 hits. Kniery, Dampier, Spitaleri, Lynch,

            Tutrani, B.J., Dowdy, Hawbaker 

2 hits. Coffman, Manny, Vandenberg,  

            Ouding, Thompson,  Capozzi,

            Guttenberg, Constantine, Mathew T

            Fabian

See y'all on Tuesday and have a great 

FATHER'S DAY!!!

ps.  Any veterans wishing to receive a QUILT OF VALOR please see me for an application. It is quite an honor 🎖  If you don't know about the program,  please Google quilts of valor. We need at least 2 more for the next ceremony being planned for July. 

Write up by Loren Fabian

Friday June 17th

Games are on. Six innings for three team games. Seven innings for two team games. 

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Tuesday, June 14th

First, I would like to say thanks to the 9 American league players who mixed in with the National league for a very fun 3 team game. Tho not very high scoring except for the Spitaleri team which won the game over Wally and Kniery led teams. The final was 17-5-6 but all had a good time in the 90+ heat with a gentle breeze continuely with us. Just enough to not shorten the game. 

A lot of innings were scored in, with the major reason for the big scoring difference being that the Spitaleri team put up 3 in 4 different innings and a 5 but the other 2 teams had a total of 7 one run innings 3 zeros and 2 once each. It was close after one inning at 3-2-2 but after that Robert's team started scoring the 3's while the others started their 1 run inning barrage.  

Now the hitters. 

4 hits. Gutenberger

3 hits. Spitaleri, Tony Q w/2hr's, O'Callaghan, 

            Marino, Gonzalez 

2 hits. B.J. Kipp, Coffman, Fabian, Skidmore 

            Maynard, Learn, Constantine, 

            Charlie G. Rad, Boito, Swenson 

Two very fine running catches were made in the outfield. The first in right by Richard Kipp ranging far to his left and the fence to catch up to it on the warning track.  The second was again the game ender only in center field by Bob Hudson ranging far to his left and back and jumping at the correct time to snag it. Unlike Sam Harrell on Friday, Bob was able to keep his feet. So that can't be called a diving catch. 😆 🤣 

Write up by Loren Fabian

Tuesday June 14th

Games are on. It's going to be hot. Stay hydrated today.


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 Friday, June 10th

Three mixed league teams were led today by Zelazny, Gonzalez and Witmer. One team's score sheet had no indication of how players got on base so following are the hitters of teams that were listed. 

5 hits. Gutenberg

4 hits. Giordano

3 hits. Skidmore, Lynch, Capozzi, Meyer

            Spitaleri, Testa, 

2 hits Wally, Learn, Marino, Reagan

            O'Callaghan 

The first inning looked to make the game a scoring contest as 13 total runs were scored with the Zelazny team putting up 3 and Gonzalez and Witmer both doing the nickel trick. It slowed down after that except for the Witmer team which led 17-9-9 after 5 innings. Zelazny added 1 more in the 7th, Gonzalez added 3 more in the 6th inning and Witmer added 1 more in the 6th inning and didn't have to bat in the bottom of the 7th inning. So the final score was Witmer 18, Gonzalez 12 and Zelazny 10. 

It must be noted that the final out of the game was made by new National League player Sam Harrell on the Zelazny team. He was playing 2nd base with a ball being blooped over his head. Sam headed for the outfield grass stuck up his glove and the ball nestled into it while Sam was tumbling to the ground. In senior softball that is called a diving catch. 😆 🤣 

Write up by Loren Fabian 

We are using the three team flip-flop rule again this year. The team with the least number of runs bats first and is defensed by the team with the second most number of runs. After three outs, they get to go home and the team with the most runs defenses against the team that was just in the field. If no one catches the team with the most runs, the game is over. This helps to reduce the game time which is necessary on these 100 degree days with 98% humidity.  

The American League guys took batting practice on Field C. They did not have enough players to have a game. I want to remind them they are always welcome to play with the National League if they want to. We may not hit as hard or run as fast but we still have fun.

Don Witmer 

Friday June 10th

Games are on. Rain predicted between 11:30 AM and Noon. Lets get the games in.


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Tuesday June 7th

Games are on. It is going to be hot today. Bring your drinks and stay hydrated. Games may be shortened. 


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 Friday, June 3rd

No Games Today. Have a great weekend and we will see you Tuesday.

 IMPORTANT       IMPORTANT      IMPORTANT      IMPORTANT      IMPORTANT

If you were at the ballpark on Tuesday, May 31st, you need to be aware that one of our players tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday afternoon. He was in close proximity to all of us. You should pay close attention to any COVID symptoms that you may be feeling and get tested. This is especially true if you have not been vaccinated and taken the booster shot. According to the CDC website, if you have been vaccinated and had one of the booster shots, you should be good to go. Don't take any chances. 

I am going to cancel all games this Friday, June 3rd. We will resume play on Tuesday, June 7th. This should give everyone plenty of time to see if they are experiencing any covid symptoms and if so, stay home. As we all know, the virus did not magically disappear. If fact, the number of reported cases in Polk County has increased in the past month and Polk County is now one of 10 counties in Florida listed as "high" for the community level of COVID-19. The CDC is recommending wearing masks for all indoor activities and public transportation in Polk County. We have no intentions of doing that at the ballpark. Just remember, if you feel sick stay home. 

THANKS. 

Don Witmer, Commissioner