2024 ELECTION FORM

The 2024 Election will take place tomorrow at the Ballpark. Ballots will be available before the games begin and up until we go to the American Legion for Lunch that is being provided by Robert Spitaleri. For those of you who won't be there tomorrow and want to vote, the ballot is a part of this post. You can Vote for two of the three Nominees for the Board. The Commissioner is running unopposed but is looking for someone to take his place in the future. You can text your vote for two Board members to the Commissioner, E-mail your vote for two Board members to the Commissioner or call the Commissioner with your two selections. Results will be posted as soon as possible. Since I am running unopposed, I changed the contact person from Chris Lynch to Don Witmer. Chris will still accept the ballots and forward them to me. 

2024 WHSS ELECTION FORM

Winter Haven Senior Softball has the following vacancies to serve on the Board of Directors. Please vote for two Board Members and one Commissioner from the Slate of Nominees below. Term lengths are two years.

BOARD MEMBERS (Vote for Two)   

Write In __________________   🔘                                           Chris Constantine                 🔘

                                                                                                           Chris Lynch                             🔘

                                                                                                            Juan Toro                               🔘

COMMISSIONER (Vote for One)                                                 Don Witmer                            🔘

Write In __________________   🔘

Friday, April 26th

Two games today. All National league on Field B and a mixed game on Field A.

Hill and Spitaleri shared managing on one team and Ron Fleming volunteered as the other. Thank you Ron. 

It was close to start with not much scoring for 4 innings as it was 5-4 in favor of the dual managers. Then they took off the rest of the game and Ron's team could only muster 3 more runs for a final of 23-7.  

The most notable play of the game was made by Ron Pepin playing 2nd base on the winning team. A hard line drive was hit at what looked to be well over his head, but he leaped as high as a thin phone book, NOT THE THICKNESS BUT THE HEIGHT OF IT to snag it in the webbing. Nice play Ron. And Ron Thompson was not only the winning pitcher but went 5 for 5 at the plate and they were all clean singles. 

The hitters. 

5 hits.   Thompson 

4 hits.   Howard, Pepin, Mathew,

              Witmer, 

3 hits.   Capozzi, Fleming, Learn

              Rodriguez, Hill, Spitaleri 

2 hits.   Andrews, Levesque, 

              Castilleja, Vandenberg 

              O'Callaghan, Muniz, Kathy

This message brought to you by

Sizzling Grill.

 Don't forget the party at the Legion Tuesday. 

Write up by Loren Fabian. 

Friday April 26th

Games are on. American League Field A. National League Field B. 

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Tuesday April 23rd

Games are on. Be here no later than 8:30 AM. If you are going to be late, text or call me. 863.860.5381.

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 REMINDER     REMINDER     REMINDER     REMINDER     REMINDER

There are two positions on the Board of Directors that are up for election this year. The existing board members in those positions will run for reelection. If you would like to run for one of the two positions that are up for election, please see Don Witmer to get an application. Only candidates that have completed the application form will be considered.

The position of Commissioner is up for election this year. The existing commissioner has indicated that he will run for that position. If you would like to run for Commissioner, please see Don Witmer to get an application. Only candidates that have completed the application form will be considered. 

The Election will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. All candidates shall turn in their applications no later than Friday, April 26, 2024. Paper ballots will be available on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The ballot will be available on the website Friday evening for those of you that want to vote by email. You can email your choices to Chris Lynch @ clynch14@brighthouse.com. Only one vote per registered player will be accepted. Email votes shall be received no later than Monday, April 29, 2024 by 6:00 PM. Chris will be counting all of the ballots. Results will be posted to the website as soon as available. 

Friday, April 19th

The American league had a game today as did the National League. I had the pleasure of umping the very well-played National league game which Jim Vining made his managerial debut and nearly upset long time manager Robert Spitaleri. Spitaleri started very strong and had leads as big as 8 runs but Jim's team kept battling back and tied it up in the bottom of the 8th at 24-24. Spitaleri's team took charge in the top of the 9th to score 6 for a final of 30-24. 

Many hits today and here they are.

6 hits.   Spitaleri 

5 hits.   Mathew, Pepin, Ramon, 

4 hits.   Mike, Andrews, Rick/HR

              Stuart/HR, Toro, Learn

              Ouding.

3 hits.   Henry, Turchetta, Wally

              Hudson, Levesque, Wells. 

See y'all Tuesday and don't forget the party at the Legion Tuesday the 30th after the games.

This message brought to you by our sponsor Ridge Energy Savers. 

Write up by Loren Fabian. 

Friday April 19th

Games are on at the Diamondplex. American League on Field A. National League on Field B.

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 American Leauge Update 4/12/24

Today, the National League and American League players joined forces for an exciting inter-squad matchup. Team Wally took the first swing, scoring two runs. Team Lou quickly responded with two of their own. The Wallenators then came back strong, scoring two runs in both the second and third innings. However, Lou's team dominated the fourth inning, scoring five runs and securing their lead. Both teams showcased some impressive plays on the field, keeping the game intense. In the end, Lou's team emerged victorious with a final score of 15-9. Looks like Team Lou brought their A-game and left Team Wally in the dust!

Write up by LGG.

This message brought to you by our sponsor Sizzling Grill.

 

Tuesday April 16th

Games are on at the Diamondplex. First day of game time changes. Be here no later than 8:30 AM. Games will begin as soon as possible. American League on Field B. National League on Field A. Elections are open. If you want to run for a board position or the commissioner, see Don Witmer for an application.

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 REMINDER      REMINDER     REMINDER     REMINDER     REMINDER

Game time changes begin tomorrow. Please be at the ballpark NO LATER THAN 8:30 AM. Games will begin as soon as possible after that.

Also, On Tuesday, April 30th all ballplayers are invited to come over to the American Legion by your host, Robert Spitaleri, for a meeting of fellowship and good food.   Robert will provide your choice of a meatball sandwich or chicken fingers and fries and one beverage of your choice. The event will be right after the game.  If it rains the event is still on at ll:30 a.m. 

 Robert will be passing out a personal invitation at the ballpark, beginning tomorrow, asking for your RSVP as he needs to tell the cook how many to expect.

 Look forward to your positive response!  Thank You Robert for your generous support.

Friday April 12th

Games are on. Two fields available. American League on Field B. National League on Field C. 

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 NEWS FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING TODAY

1. Game time change will occur on Tuesday, April 16th. Be at the ballpark no later than 8:30 AM. Games will begin as soon as the teams are selected. 

2. There are two positions on the Board of Directors that are up for election this year. The existing board members in those positions will run for reelection. If you would like to run for one of the two positions that are up for election, please see Don Witmer to get an application. Only candidates that have completed the application form will be considered.

3. The position of Commissioner is up for election this year. The existing commissioner has indicated that he will run for that position. If you would like to run for Commissioner, please see Don Witmer to get an application. Only candidates that have completed the application form will be considered. 

4. The Election will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. All candidates shall turn in their applications no later than Friday, April 26, 2024. Paper ballots will be available on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The ballot will be available on the website Friday evening for those of you that want to vote by email. You can email your choices to Chris Lynch @ clynch14@brighthouse.com. Only one vote per registered player will be accepted. Email votes shall be received no later than Monday, April 29, 2024 by 6:00 PM. Chris will be counting all of the ballots. Results will be posted to the website as soon as available. 

5. The FLORIDA NATIONAL GUARD is having their annual Gator/Redleg softball tournament on Saturday, May 25th. WHSS has always provided umpires for this one-day tournament. Mark your calendar for that day if you want to support the Florida National Guard. It is a lot of fun and we need to support our Florida National Guard.

6. The Mini Tournament at Sertoma Baseball Park has been completed and was won by the Mets managed by Ron Thompson and Pat Lopiccolo. Each player on the original team will be given a Championship Patch. We hope to do this again next year. 

7. Stay tuned to the website for some information about a year end party that will take place on Friday, April 30, 2024.

        

Tuesday April 9th

Games are on at the Diamondplex. American League Field B. National League Field A.

This message is brought to you by our sponsor Merrill Lynch.

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As we transitioned back to the Diamondplex last week, there were plenty of players from both leagues. Both days, the American league had a 2-team game and the National League had a 3-team game. 

On Friday, the managers in the National League were Bob Vandenberg (Vandy), Robert Spitaleri (Spit) and Fred Dampier (Fred).  Spit started out fast with a nickle in the first inning but after 5 innings it was Fred 6, Vandenberg 11 and Spit 10. Vandy did end up on top with a final of 13, 12, 7.  It was a very well-played game with many fine defensive plays as the score indicates. Perhaps the most notable play was by Debbie on Spit's team behind the plate when she charged out in front of the plate to snag a pop up that landed nicely in her glove. 

The hitters. 

3 hits.   O'Callaghan, Rodriguez,  

              Reagen, Hudson 

2 hits.   Hicks, Burtner, Dampier,

              Vanderhyde, Jose L.,

              Dowd, Zelazny, Mathew,

              Debbie, Spitaleri 

Weather is supposed to be great. See y'all Tuesday. 

Write up by LHF

This message brought to you by our sponsor Tucker Carpets. 

Friday April 5th

Games are on at the Diamondplex. American League on Field A. National League on Fields B and D. 

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Welcome back to Diamond Plex!

After eagerly awaiting the return to our home field, the American League players came back with a vengeance. Two talented teams faced off, with Team Lou dominating early on by scoring runs in every inning up to the sixth. Team Tommy seemed rusty, with no runs scored until the fifth inning. It appeared that Team Lou would easily win, but Team Tommy had other plans. By the end of the eighth inning, Team Tommy had ten runs while Team Lou had twenty-two. However, in the ninth inning, Team Tommy exploded with fifteen runs, taking the lead with a score of twenty-five to twenty-two. The future looked grim for Team Lou, but they refused to give up. With two quick outs, Joe D’Herin stepped up to the plate and delivered a crucial base hit. This sparked a rally, with hit after hit tying the game. Finally, Dana Ferrande hit a game-winning base hit, securing the victory with a final score of twenty-five to twenty-six. Team Lou celebrated another thrilling win, and it was an incredible feeling to be back at the Diamond Plex.

Write up by Lou Guzman

This message brought to you by our sponsor CPW Services, LLC.

Well, the Mets and Coconuts met today in the game of the year.  The score at the end of five was 19-10 Mets and when the Mets scored l0 in the top of nine bring the score to 35-l8 Mets. Game over----------NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.   The Coconuts came up with 13 in the bottom of nine for a final score 35-31 Mets.  In all of my senior league playing only one other game was more amazing.

The ninth inning took almost an hour to play.  Hitting highlights for the Coconuts were Gary B and Gary Anderson going 6-7 and Anderson hit several over the fence as he did in the last game.   The difference was today they were doubles and Tue. they were outs. Jose joined in with 5-6 and a base on balls.

The Mets featured Reagan, the only player going perfect for both teams with 7-7.  Following with 6-7 was Gelinas, Vining, Boito, and Toro  5-7. Last but not least was Knox with 6-8. Thanks to Reagan, B.J and Mathew for filling in from the pool and finally the winning pitcher was Lopiccolo and he also went 5-7.

Both teams exhibited good sportsmanship by approving the other team fill ins at the position needed by the opposition.

Today was another great day at the ole ball park@

Write up by Ron T.

This message brought to you by our sponsor Kincaid Electrical Services.

Tuesday April 2nd

Games are on at Diamond Plex. American League on Field B. National League on Fields A and C. All National League players needs to sign in at the pavilion between fields A and B. Be here no later than 9:00 AM.

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 GAME SCHEDULE FOR TOMORROW - THE DIAMONDPLEX

Tomorrow, we return to our home field, the Diamondplex. The tournament season is over, and we will start playing pickup ball. Everyone will need to sign in when they get to the ballpark. The sign in sheet will be at the pavilion between Fields A and B. Be at the ballpark no later than 9:00 AM. Games will begin as soon as the teams are put together. We will continue the 9:00 AM arrival time for a couple of more weeks. The Board has a meeting on Tuesday, April 9th and the decision to change the start time will be made then. This applies to the American League as well as the National League.

Shorts will be available for those of you that have not picked up their shorts.

Check the website in the morning for additional information.