Tuesday August 30

Games are on. Lets play ball.

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

Friday August 26th

No games today. Fields are to wet. See you Tuesday.

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

 

NOTICE     NOTICE     NOTICE     NOTICE      NOTICE

The Gator Redleg Chapter of the United States Field Artillery Association of the Florida National Guard needs our help again this year. They are hosting the GATOR REDLEG FIKE MEMORIAL SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT at the Diamondplex on Saturday, October 8, 2022. In past years, WHSS has provided volunteer umpires to officiate all of the games at this tournament. The money saved by not having to pay umpires can be used to support the men and women of the Florida National Guard during times of emergencies and deployment.

Let’s support our Florida National Guard by volunteering to umpire at this tournament. I will have a sign-up sheet available soon. You can umpire for a few games or all day. Refreshments and food will be provided.

Thanks.

 

Don Witmer, Commissioner

Winter Haven Senior Softball

 Tuesday, August 23rd

The National league had 3 teams today and the scores were tied by the top two teams until the last inning.

Mark Tutrani's team won in the last inning by a walk off hit by Steve Hicks who went 4/4 for the day. Also hitting good for Mark's team were Tom Kniery, Mark Tutrani, and Jimmy Vining all 2/4.

Bob Zelazny's team was tied for first until the last inning. Hitting solid for his team were: Chris Constantine and Rusty Skipper who both batted 4/4. Also good were Bob Zelazny 3/4, Freddie Gonzalez, Tim Gallagher and Bob Vandenburg who all hit 2/4.

Robert Spitaleri's team was in the competition and had a chance to tie the game in their last at bat. However we could only manage one run under the pressure in that opportunity.

Final score was:  Tutrani team 10

                            Zelazny team 9

                            Spitaleri team 7

Commissioner Witmer umpired the game and called things as he saw them. 

Write up by Robert Spitaleri

Tuesday August 23rd

Games are on. 

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

Friday, August 19th

The National league had 2 teams today of 14 players on each team. Bob Vandenburg managed the visiting team and Robert Spitaleri did that for the home team. The game was close every inning with the visitors taking a lead and the home team tying the game.

However in the last 2 innings the visitor team scored 5 runs while the home team only managed one run. Final score: Vandenburg team 16 versus Spitaleri's home team 11.

Solid hitters for Vandenburg's team were: Bob Skidmore, Freddie Gonzales, Rad, Bill Testa, Jim Vining, Bob Vandenburg and Norm.

Good hitters for the home team were: Pete Gutenburger, Gerry DeRidder, Mark Tutrani, Mathew Tomashoff, Charlie Giordano, Tom Capozzi, and Ric Hollowell?.

We thank commissioner Witmer for umpiring the game. And for bring drinks and chips leftover from last week's party.

We signed a get-well card for Pete Gelesky who is in physical rehabilitation due to a health issue.

Write up by Robert Spitaleri

 

Game recap

On Tuesday, August 18, the American League took on the team from Kissimmee at the Diamond Plex field.

Kissimmee came out with their hitting shoes scoring 5 runs in the first inning. Our team wearing maroon jerseys made some fielding errors and only could score 9 runs in game one, losing 14-9.

Game two wasn’t any better. Our offensive could only produce 6 runs and allowed team Kissimmee to score 15.

Notable hits:

Don Fee 2 HRs, and a triple.

Greg Ramos, Mike Vaccaro, Dave Doerbaum, Dana Ferrande, all hit doubles.

Manny Rios went 5/5, all base hits.

Team roster: Radley Pcholinski, Mike Vaccaro, Dave Doerbaum, Don Fee, Manny Rios, Jose Rodriguez, Dana Ferrande, Rawlinson Santaella, Greg Ramos, Rusty Skipper, Larry Stripling, Chris Lynch, and BJ Kallister.

We will take on Solivita at Solivita field on Tuesday, August 30, 2022.

From LGG. 

Friday August 19th

Games are on.


Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

Tuesday, August 16th

In the National League, we had 3 teams of ten players on each team today and great good competition. The game was won in the last inning by a walk off base hit by Tom Capozzi. Final score was 13 for the Bob Vandenburg team versus 12 by Chris Constantine’s team. The 3rd team managed by Bob Zelazny produced 7 runs. We thank Don Witmer for umpiring the whole game. Lauren Fabian is on vacation and we wish him and Joyce a wonderful trip to see family.

Write up by Robert Spitaleri

The American League hosted the Kissimmee Team on Tuesday by playing a double header on Field C. Details will be forthcoming. 

Tuesday August 16th

Games are on.


Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

 RECAP OF THE GAMES LAST WEEK - 8/9 AND 8/12

Tuesday, August 9th

Mixed 3 team game was quite well balanced on paper, BUT this is senior softball and one never knows. 

First, we'll go to the fans in the stands who were Joyce Twinam, Pat Merritt, Sally Strait and Melanie Hite with Brandi of course. The four ladies went for lunch after, while Brandi had to attend the BOD meeting with me, which had many decisions to make. 

One of those decisions was, that this Friday, after the line ups are made, Don Witmer and Lou Guzman are going to hold a short clinic on the proper way to man 1st base with the 2 bag system and proper coverage of the base. I urge everyone who plays 1st base and/or umpires to play close attention. 

Now on to the game managed by Bob Zelazny, Robert Spitaleri and Don Ouding. The Z managed teams are on a small streak with a 14-8-8 victory. It jumped out to a 14-6-7 lead after 4 innings and failed to score again, but as you can tell by the score, the other 2 teams didn't do much either. Also a lot of good defense was played by all 3 teams and the score sheets indicate the Zelazny team simply had the hot bats for the first 4 innings. 

Here are the hitters. 

4 hits. Skidmore, 

3 hits. Stripling, Coffman, Dampier, Spitaleri

            Gutenberger, Fabian

2 hits. Constantine, Charlie G, Lynch, Vining,

            Lopez, Tutrani, Vandenberg, Meyer, 

            Rusty, Rad, Reagan, Kipp.

See y'all Friday and show up hungry for the summer picnic/party.

Write up by Loren Fabian  

Friday, August 12th

There were 3 teams today. The managers were Mark Tutrani, Bob Hite and Robert Spitaleri.

All 3 teams did well and everyone was especially excited about the party scheduled to follow the game.

Don Witmer and Lauren Fabian umpired the game and did a great job.

 Actually, before the game started Commissioner Witmer gave a review of the rules concerning play at first base. Players were reminded to avoid contact with the first baseman and use the outer base on infield ball in play. Then Lou Guzman gave some nice tips on how to play 1st base on defense.

.

Bob Hite's team started well with 5 runs in the first inning. Their best hitter was J.R. Reed from Sebring. They ended up with 11 runs.

Mark's team managed only 2 runs and clearly they were distracted by thoughts of the party to come.

The Zelazny/Spitaleri team scored 5 runs in the first inning and finished with 16 runs. Best hitters were Bob Skidmore, Fred Gonzales, Bob Zelazny and Gary Anderson. Wayne Shearer had some impressive hits (he added that he had to perform because his wife came to see him play)

The food party after the game was terrific. Submarine sandwiches with trimmings and chips, drinks and cookies were enjoyed by all.

Thank you to the board of directors for putting it all together.

Write up by Robert Spitaleri

Friday August 12th

Games are on. Summer party is on.


Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

 Richard Moots Passes Away

Richard Moots was a long-time member of Winter Haven Senior Softball. Richard served on the Board of Directors and was the Treasurer for many years. Richard was elected to the Polk County Senior Softball Hall of Fame in 2016 for his many years of dedicated service to Winter Haven Senior Softball. 

Memorial services for Richard will be at the First Presbyterian Church in Winter Haven on Monday, August 15th @ 11:00 AM. The address for the church is: 637 6th St. NW, Winter Haven, Fl. 33881.

Please keep Richard's Wife, Judy and Brother-in-Law, Richard Marino and the rest of the family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. 

Tuesday August 9th

Games are on. 

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

Friday, August 5, 2022

And if you visit the website frequently, you know there was no games on Tuesday as all fields were under water due to the all-night thunderstorms throughout the area. So on to Friday's game. 

3 teams managed by Bob Zelazny, Don Witmer and Robert Spitaleri with the Z led team finishing first in a 15-10-6 final. We've all seen games where two teams score 30+ runs so this must have been a defensive masterpiece, but there were many hot line drives hit right at a defender. I call it ATOM BALL - hit it right at 'em.

There were 3 home runs in the game, 2 on the winning team by Bobby Reagan and Tony Q.  The other was on the 2nd place Witmer team by Kirk Coffman. The Spitaleri led team did not have a HR and could only muster the 6 runs. 

Freddy Gonzalez, playing on the winning team made a fine running catch in left field while crossing over the foul line at full speed. 

In spite of the 90+ temperature it was quite comfortable thanks to a very welcome breeze and some cloud cover. 

Fans in the stands were Christine DeRidder, Yvonne, Joyce Twinam and of course, Brandi. 

Here are the hitters. 

4 hits. Skidmore and B.J.

3 hits. Muniz, Tony Q, Zelazny, O'Callaghan, 

            Vining, Capozzi, Gutenberger, Rad, 

            DeRidder, 

2 hits. Dampier, Tutrani,  Manny, Pepin, Reagan

            Harrell, Coffman, Lynch, Hite, Witmer 

See y'all Tuesday morning. 

Write up by Loren Fabian 

Friday August 5th

Games are on. Don't forget to bring your application and money for next season.


Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

Tuesday August 2nd

No Games Today. All fields are under water. See you Friday. 


Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

Registration

Great job last week guys.  16 players turned in registrations for the 2023 season.  

So, bring a check or $40 cash.

Come on, let's do it again.  The sooner we get everyone registered the sooner we can take a guess at total numbers, pick shirt colors, get a good price and even get the colors we want.

Bob Hite