Winter Haven Senior Softball

Friday, April 7th

NEWSFLASH!!!!  History was made on Friday, April 7th. In the 31 years of WHSS being in existence there had never been an All-Star game. Thanks to the BOD and the hard work of our commissioner, Don Witmer we had it. After having to postpone it because we could not have the fields back on March 31, and several of our Northern players having to head back, Don went to work with the managers to recruit other All-Stars to make the game happen, which it did and a very well played and close game it was. Of course, Brandi was there for the lining of the fields. 

The teams were led by the 1st and 2nd place managers. Robert Spitaleri and Wally Wallace. I'll call the teams Spit and Wally. 

Spitaleri's All-Stars

   Gary Burtner

   Jose Rivera

   Jerry DeJongh

   Tom Kniery

   Joe Letourneau

   Fred Steven's

   Mark Tutrani

   Steve Hill

   Ken Gelinas

   Bob Zelazny

   Poke Rodriguez

   Robert Spitaleri 

Wally's All_Stars

   Steve Hicks

   Ed Gazarek

   George Vanderhyde

   Gary Anderson 

   Les Jacobson

   Ron Pepin

   Don Witmer

   Denny Shaffer

   Bob Vandenberg

   Tom Capozzi

   Bill Testa

   Wally Wallace 

On to the game which started out like a major league game, as the score was all knotted at 0-0 after 2 innings. In the top of 3 Wally broke into the scoring with a lone run, but Spit answered with 4 in the bottom. Wally answered with 5 in the top of the 4th to take the lead back at 6-4. Spit answered with 1 and Wally led 6-5 after 4 innings. Wally got 2 more in the top of 5 but Spit answered with a nickel to take a 10-8 lead and never lost the lead again. 

Wally mustered 4 more runs and Spit 7 going to the open inning. Spit had the lead 17-12 and it looked gloomy for Wally, but they mounted a comeback, scoring 2 more runs when the tying run came to the plate but could not push anymore across.

Final score. Spitaleri 17, Wally 14.  

Umpires were JD Davis, Lou Guzman and Loren Fabian and it was a very well-played game with no disagreements by a group of very good senior WHSS All-Stars.

I, for one, hope this is the first of a long-standing tradition. It went very well for the initial game in spite of a couple hiccups thanks to Don's persistence to make the game happen. 

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter and see y'all Tuesday. 

Write up by Loren Fabian