🥎07.10.26 THE GREAT ALMOST-COMEBACK

Well… this one started ugly. Team Deloach came out swinging like they were hosting a hitting clinic, not a ballgame. By the end of the fifth inning, the scoreboard looked like a typo: 17–1. Team Ayers had exactly one lonely run on the board and a whole lot of “what just happened.”

But before we get to the fireworks, we need to spotlight our Birthday Boy, Ron Thompson, who turns 88 tomorrow and decided to celebrate early by putting on a pitching clinic. He held the visitors to one run in five innings, proving once again that age is just a number and Ron’s number is apparently “still unhittable.”

 Team Deloach’s bats were blazing all morning:

• Gutenberg: 3‑for‑4
• Aponte: 3‑for‑4
• Testa: 4‑for‑4
• Thompson helped himself by scoring one 

Then — finally — Team Ayers woke up. Maybe it was pride. Maybe it was caffeine. Maybe someone whispered “free lunch at Red Lobster.” Whatever it was, they exploded for 7 runs in the 6th and 7 more in the 7th, turning a blowout into a “wait… are they actually doing this?” moment.

 Big bats for Team Ayers:

• Hudson: 4‑for‑4
• Williamson: 4‑for‑4
• Dampier: 3‑for‑3

 And the spark plug of the whole comeback? Marino, who kicked off rallies in BOTH the 6th and 7th innings like he had somewhere important to be and needed the game to get interesting fast.

 In the end, the mountain was just a little too tall. Final score: 20–15, Team Deloach.

Ugly start. Beautiful finish. And one heck of a birthday warm‑up for Ron.  Happy Birthday Ron!

Friday games

Games are on.

*** Attention all Members***

***Board Elections Announcement***

To all Members,

As my tenure as Commissioner comes to an end in September 2026, I want to express what a pleasure it has been to serve in this role for the past 10 years. I’d also like to thank Lou Guzman for stepping up as Acting Commissioner and managing the league during this period. Lou has expressed willingness to continue as Commissioner for the next term.

If any member is interested in running for Commissioner, please email me your intentions. An election will be held in September 2026 if there are multiple candidates. Lou has requested that I stay on as a voting adviser to the board.

Treasurer:
Chris Lynch has resigned as Treasurer; his term is ending in 2027. Fred DeLoach has been appointed to this position for now. 

At-Large Board Member:
Chris Constantine’s tenure will end in September 2026. Members interested in running for this position. Mike Vaccaro has expressed interest in this position and, if no other candidates come forward, will assume the role. 

Thank you all for your continued support of the board and the league.

Don Witmer
(Commissioner)

🥎07.07.26 GAME DAY RECAP

Today’s three‑team showdown featured Team Hill (Visitors), Team Wally (Home), and Team Spit (Middle). Final tally: Hill 19 • Spit 31 • Wally 14

The first four innings looked like a senior‑softball instructional video — crisp infield work, double‑plays everywhere, and three teams pretending the heat index wasn't already in triple digits. At the end of the 4th, we had the rarest scoreboard sight in Florida: 10–10–10. Perfect balance… right before the Florida heat said, “That’s enough of that,” and melted every defensive plan on the field.

In the top of the 7th, Team Spit detonated for 11 runs in an open inning. It was less of an inning and more of a July 4th parade. Hill tried to respond with 4 runs in the 5th and 2 more in the 6th, but Spit’s lead was roughly the size of Polk County by then. Wally didn’t have enough gas left either — the heat had claimed its victims.

🥎Players of the Game

Team Spit — 31 Runs of Mayhem

Gutenberger — 3 runs
Testa — 4 runs
Rudy — 4 for 5
Doyle — a perfect 5 for 5, because apparently he doesn’t believe in outs
And in the late‑inning stampede, the whole crew joined in: Constantine, Moots, Spit, Gil (with a triple), Castilleja, Rounds, and Thompson all crossed home like it was a conga line.

Team Hill — 19 Runs

Woodsby — flawless 4 for 4, refusing to participate in the “heat‑induced slump” trend
Delong — 2 runs
Turchetta — 2 runs

Team Wally — 14 Runs

Rod — 3 runs
Manny — 3 runs with a home run, because someone had to keep the fireworks going
Griffin — perfect 3 for 3

A tied game, a heatwave meltdown, an 11‑run inning, and a middle team that refused to stop scoring — just another normal day in Winter Haven Senior Softball. 

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Tuesday games

Games are on. See you at the park.

Friday Games

No games today. Happy Fourth of July.

Rescheduled Golf Outing

Rain checks can be used at anytime. I have reserved tee times for Thursday, July 9 at 0900 o'clock if anyone wants to play at that time. Please let me know on Tuesday.

Happy 4th