⚾ UMPIRE’S CALL: THE CONTROVERSIAL INFIELD FLY

Tuesday’s game on October 20th brought us a little controversy over a soft pop fly between home plate and third base. Some felt—and made their opinions known LOUDLY—that an infield fly should have been called. Here’s why it wasn’t.

The infield fly rule requires the umpire to determine whether a fair fly ball could be caught by an infielder with REASONABLE EFFORT. In this case, neither umpire believed the ball could be caught with reasonable effort. Although a player did get a glove on the ball, both umpires agreed that it did not meet that standard.

There was also another factor to consider: the batter had two strikes. Had the ball landed untouched and rolled foul, it would have been a foul ball, and the batter would have been out on strikes. Instead, the ball landed fair, and all runners were safe.

After discussing the play, both umpires agreed that the decision not to call an infield fly was the correct one.

A reminder to everyone: ONLY the team manager may discuss a call with an umpire. Players are expected to respect the umpires’ decisions, even when they disagree. You may not always agree with a call, but the umpire’s call is the one that stands.

We’re out here to enjoy the game, compete, and have fun—not argue over every close play. Let’s keep things respectful and save that energy for the next at-bat!

REMINDER: A trifold copy of WHSS’s most important rules is available at the check-in desk. Please take a moment to review it!

Respect the call, respect the game!!!

See y’all Friday!

📢 WINTER HAVEN SENIOR SOFTBALL — CHECK-IN REMINDER!

Players, we need your help to keep game days running smoothly!

Late check-ins and secondhand check-ins have been negatively affecting team assignments. To help ensure teams are balanced as fairly as possible, EVERY player in BOTH the National and American Leagues must check in by 8:30 AM.

You have two options:

Check in in person at the desk, or
Call 507-280-9117 by 8:30 AM.

 At 8:30 AM, team assignments begin based on the number of players properly checked in.

If you arrive late or haven't checked in properly by 8:30, you'll be added to a team with the fewest players. This can result in a crowded lineup rather than allowing us to form an additional team.

Want to play? You MUST check in by 8:30 AM!

It takes just a minute to stop by the desk or make a phone call. Please do your part to help us put together balanced teams and give everyone the best possible game-day experience.

Thanks for your cooperation! Let's keep things running smoothly and make it a great day of softball!

See you on the field!

🥎 10.20.2026 Team Hill's Bats Were on Fire!

If you like offense, Tuesday's game had plenty of it! Kian's Dental Visitors/Hitting Team, managed by Davis, put 11 runs on the board. Rhonda the Tax Lady's Sitting/Middle Team, managed by Hill, finished with a whopping 30 runs, while Jarrett Ford's Home/Fielding Team, managed by Wally, battled their way to 17. The final score might look one-sided, but there were some impressive rallies, big hits, and defensive efforts along the way!

First Inning: Everybody Came Ready to Hit!

Team Davis came out swinging. Williamson singled, followed by hits from Rad, Davis, Zelazny, Sensabaugh, and Reagan. Four runs crossed the plate, but Team Hill had an answer—and then some!

Guzzo got on base, Gutenberger singled, Rusty doubled, Doyle and Turchetta reached base, and Jorge and Tutrani followed with singles. Five runs scored, giving Team Hill the early edge.

Team Wally wasn't about to be left out of the opening-inning fireworks. Nestor and Rounds singled, Carlos doubled, and Sully added a hit as four runs came home. Toro, Muniz, Leslie, and Gil also contributed hits, but with the bases loaded, the rally came to an end. Still, it was quite an opening inning!

Second Inning: The Defense Settles In

The defense tightened up a bit in the second. Shaffu, Lopez, Clos, and Skidmore strung together singles for Team Davis, producing two runs.

Team Hill's Testa got things started with a triple to right-center, and BJ drove him home. That was the only run Team Hill managed in the inning.

Team Wally, however, saved its best for two outs! Boito, Thompson, and Pat singled before Nestor doubled, bringing home four runs. A clutch rally that kept Team Wally right in the mix!

Team Wally's Defense Gives Davis Fits

Team Davis managed just one run in the third, thanks to Davis's double and contributions from Zelazny, Sensabaugh, and Reagan. Then Team Wally's defense shut them out in the fourth.

Davis's squad wasn't done trying, though. In the fifth, Clos doubled and Skidmore singled before Williamson blasted a ball to right field, driving in three runs! Rad then scored with help from his hit and contributions from Ernesto and Zelazny, bringing the inning's total to four runs.

Reagan led off the sixth with a hit, followed by singles from Amy and Donna, producing another run. Team Davis made an effort to gain ground in the final inning, but with the bases loaded, the runners were left stranded.

Team Hill Finds Another Gear

Team Hill was just getting warmed up! In the third, the first five batters crossed the plate. Guzzo and Gutenberger singled, Rusty doubled, and Doyle and Hill singled. Raymundo added a single, and Turchetta doubled as the runs kept coming.

Team Wally answered with a rally of its own. Sully doubled, Toro singled, Muniz reached base, Leslie singled, and Gil got on. Three runs scored, and the game was tightening up.

Bottom of the fourth: Hill 11, Wally 11! We had ourselves a ballgame!

But Team Hill wasn't about to stay tied for long. Tutrani and Testa reached base, BJ doubled, and Hudson got on. Constantine then launched a huge triple to center field, followed by a single from Marino. Four more runs crossed the plate!

Team Wally came up just one run short of matching that production, stringing together singles from Thompson, Pat, Nestor, Rounds, and Carlos for three runs.

The Sixth and Seventh: Hill Pulls Away

Team Hill continued to pile on the runs in the sixth. Tutrani reached base, Testa doubled, Hudson singled, Constantine doubled, and Marino added another hit. Three more runs scored.

Meanwhile, Team Wally's bats went cold. Three up, three down in the sixth.

Then came the seventh, and Team Hill decided to make a statement! Guzzo, Gutenberger, Rusty, and Doyle all singled. Hill's sacrifice fly brought in runs, Raymundo and Turchetta singled, Jorge reached base, and Tutrani singled before the third out finally arrived.

Seven runs in the inning! Team Hill finished with 30, putting the game well out of reach.

Team Wally had been sitting on the bench waiting for that long inning to end, hoping for a miracle comeback. Unfortunately, it just wasn't in the cards. Three up, three down, and the game was over.

But How About Them Girls!

The final score wasn't the only story of the day. Our ladies made their presence felt!

Donna was making them earn those hits from the mound.
Terri was tracking down fly balls in left field.
Leslie had wheels on those bases.
Amy made a throw home that deserves a mention—and you guys are seriously going to keep testing that arm? Way to go, Amy!

That's what senior softball is all about: competing hard, making plays, supporting your teammates, and having a little fun along the way.

Congratulations to Team Hill on the big win, and hats off to Teams Davis and Wally for battling throughout the game. There were plenty of hits, a few big defensive moments, and some great individual efforts to celebrate.

Until next time, keep swinging, keep hustling, and keep enjoying the game!

See you on the field!

Tuesday Games

Games are on. Please call or sign in by 08:30

🥎 ASK THE UMPIRE WITH LOREN FABIAN 🥎

QUESTION: What happens if a pinch runner's turn at bat comes up while they are still on base?

THE RULING:

If a pinch runner is due to bat while still on base, the pinch runner is declared OUT as a base runner. No one replaces them on the base, and the player takes their turn at bat.

If that out is the third out of the inning, the player who was called out leads off for their team in the next inning.

HOW TO AVOID THIS SITUATION

When choosing a pinch runner, make sure they are at least six batting-order positions behind the player they are running for.

• With one out: The pinch runner should be at least five positions down in the batting order.
• With two outs: The pinch runner should be at least four positions down in the batting order.

A little awareness of the batting order can help prevent an unnecessary out!

FOOTNOTE — SUMMER PLAY EXCEPTION

Due to the high demand for pinch runners during summer play, this rule is temporarily suspended, with one exception: A player may pinch run only once per inning.

The rule will be fully enforced during league play, when an ample number of runners is expected to be available.

Have a question about a rule? Ask Loren!

Know the rule. Respect the call. Respect the game!

Reminder to all Members

Attention All Players!

As a reminder, we will be using the same hats as last year for the upcoming season. Please take the time to clean your hat and have it ready for play in January.

Thank you!

HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS

The window for submission of nominees for this year's class is now open . Nomination forms are available at the sign in desk. Nominations must be returned no later than 10 November.

🚨 MISSING OWNER ALERT! 🚨

Yesterday at Winter Haven Ball Park, someone apparently packed up their gear and headed home… but left one important item behind! 

Fortunately, the bag has been recovered and is now under the highly specialized security detail of Jimmie. 

We can confirm the bag is safe, sound, and being guarded with the utmost seriousness. Well… as serious as things get around senior softball! 

If you’re missing a bag, you know where to look. If you know who it belongs to, help us reunite the owner with their long-lost property!

Jimmie has custody. The bag is secure. The investigation continues! 

Please claim your bag before Jimmie starts charging storage fees! 

See you on the field! 

🥎 10.16.26 FIELD 2: EZ Roofing Heats Up Late to Outlast Ingram Financial, 22–17

It was a challenging day on Field 2, with only 10 players on each roster. That meant both teams had to supply an extra player just to get the games underway! Looking ahead, the plan is to play with only four teams as long as we have 44 players available.

EZ Roofing, managed by Hill, faced Ingram Financial, managed by Ouding, in a game that started quietly but certainly didn't stay that way!

Carlos Makes a Statement!

Carlos wasted no time announcing EZ Roofing's arrival at the plate. The first batter of the game sent a HOME RUN over the fence! Hill got on base, Anderson tripled, and Gonzales and Marino followed with singles as three runs crossed the plate.

Ingram Financial answered right back. Reagan singled, followed by singles from Toro and Gilbert. Terri tripled, and Vandenberg added another single as Ingram pushed four runs across to take the early lead.

The defenses took charge in the second inning, with neither team scoring. EZ Roofing managed just one run in the third, with Jamie crossing the plate. Ingram matched them with one run of its own, courtesy of Zelazny. EZ Roofing added another run in the fourth while Ingram was held scoreless.

At that point, this looked like it might be a low-scoring affair. Well, that prediction didn't age very well!

The Bats Wake Up!

EZ Roofing broke things open in the fifth. Anderson and Hudson got on base, Gonzales singled, and Marino and Bioto reached safely. Lopicllo added a single, and five runs came home.

Ingram answered with two runs of its own. Capozzi singled, Reagan doubled, and Zelazny and Gilbert followed with singles.

EZ Roofing added three more in the sixth as Anderson, Hudson, and Gonzales crossed the plate, with Marino and Bioto contributing to the rally. The EZ Roofing defense backed up the offense by keeping Ingram off the scoreboard in the bottom half.

Then came the seventh, when EZ Roofing's first five batters all crossed the plate! Ingram kept fighting, manufacturing two runs on hits by Zelazny, Gilbert, Terri, and Vandenberg.

Playing short-handed didn't seem to bother these teams too much. Unlike the Field 1 teams, they elected to keep going for a full nine innings!

Nine Innings, Plenty of Heat—and Some Missing Details!

The scorekeeping got a little lax as the game went on. The notes show Hill, Jamie, Anderson, and Bioto all crossed the plate for EZ Roofing in the eighth, but exactly how they got there remains a mystery. We'll give the runners credit for getting home, even if the scoresheet left us wondering how!

Meanwhile, Ingram Financial kept chipping away at the deficit. Capozzi singled, Zelazny doubled, Toro reached base, Gilbert singled, Terri doubled, and Vandenberg singled. Four runs scored, keeping the pressure on EZ Roofing.

By the ninth inning, perhaps the Florida heat had finally caught up with everyone. EZ Roofing went three up, three down in its final at-bat.

But Ingram wasn't finished! Reagan singled, Zelazny launched a HOME RUN, Toro doubled, Gilbert singled, and Terri reached base. Five runs crossed the plate as Ingram made one final push. They scored 18 runs on the day—one more than the original final tally showed—but EZ Roofing had done enough to hold on.

Final Score: EZ Roofing 22, Ingram Financial 18

A Day to Remember for Gilbert!

A huge shout-out to Gilbert, who went a perfect 6-for-6 at the plate! Six hits in six at-bats is quite a day—and deserves its own round of applause!

Ingram Financial fought hard to close the gap, including a five-run rally in the ninth, but EZ Roofing had built enough of a lead to hold on for the win. Both teams showed plenty of fight through nine innings, extra-player challenges, and a Florida day that was bound to test everyone's stamina.

See you on the field!

🥎 10.16.26 FIELD 1: American Legion Survives Family Fence's Late-Inning Fight, 28–24

Visiting Team: American Legion — coached by Tutrani

Home Team: Family Fence — coached by DeLoach
Final Score: American Legion 28, Family Fence 24

If you saw the name American Legion on the schedule, don't confuse it with the American League! This game started nothing like the way American League players generally play. Four up, three down, and the Legion's defense showed none of the finesse you'd expect from an American team. Meanwhile, Family Fence came out swinging, with its first five batters all crossing the plate.

But the Legion wasn't going to let Family Fence have all the fun.

The Legion Finds Its Footing

In the second inning, Tutrani singled, Bales followed with a single, and Raymondo added another hit as three runs crossed the plate. Family Fence's bats, however, remained red-hot.

Amy, Herbie, Ayers, and Family Fence's final batter of the inning — whose name was unfortunately illegible on the scoresheet — all singled. Gutenburger collected his second hit, followed by DeLoach, Ernesto, Ramon, and Cruz getting aboard. Five more runs scored, and at 10–3, it looked as though Family Fence might run away with this one.

Not so fast!

Testa led off with a single, Griffin followed with another, and Williamson kept the hits coming. Then Sully launched the first of what would become three home runs on the day! Tutrani got aboard, Bales singled, and Raymondo doubled as six runs came home.

And then came the confusion.

Under the catch-up rules, the Legion had scored six runs but could still bring in two more. Apparently, someone thought the game had been caught up, and the Legion walked off the field with only one out recorded and more batters still available.

Family Fence's position was essentially this: Know the rules. Know your scoresheet.

Play resumed, but Family Fence managed just one run in the third. Heading into the fourth, American Legion had clawed its way back to within two, trailing 14–16.

The Lead Changes, the Bats Stay Hot

Gil opened the fourth with a home run for the Legion. Lopez and Sensabaugh singled, Clos got aboard, and Testa's deep sacrifice fly brought home a run. Griffin reached base, and Williamson blasted a home run of his own. Five runs scored, putting the Legion back in front.

Family Fence answered with four runs. DeLoach singled, Turchetta tripled, Ernesto and Ramon singled, Cruz and Amy reached base, and DeLong tripled to keep the pressure on.

Then came the fifth, and Sully was just getting started.

He led off with his second home run of the game. Tutrani and Raymondo singled, Gil followed with another hit, Lopez reached base, Sensabaugh moved the runners, and Clos singled. Five more runs crossed for the Legion.

At last, the Legion's defense found its footing, holding Family Fence scoreless in the bottom half of the inning.

Sully Is Simply a Beast!

The Legion's bats weren't finished. Griffin led off with a single, Williamson got aboard, and Sully delivered his third home run of the game!

Leslie and Raymondo reached base, Gil doubled, and Lopez singled as five more runs scored. Sully had put on a power display worthy of its own headline!

Family Fence refused to fold, though. Cruz reached base, Amy, Herbie, DeLong, and Ayers singled, and three runs came home.

As the teams headed into the final inning, American Legion held a 24–19 lead. Family Fence was still within striking distance, but the Legion wanted more insurance.

Sensabaugh singled, Clos reached base, Testa singled, Griffin tripled, Williamson tripled, and Sully doubled. Four more runs scored, extending the Legion's lead.

That left Family Fence nine runs down, but nobody was walking away quietly this time!

DeLoach and Turchetta singled, Ernesto singled, Ramon doubled, Amy singled, DeLong doubled, and Ayers singled. Five runs crossed the plate, but the comeback fell just short.

Final: American Legion 28, Family Fence 24

Family Fence made the Legion work for every bit of that victory, answering big innings with rallies of its own. The Legion's offense delivered when it mattered, and its defense eventually settled in after a shaky start.

And let's hear it for Sully, whose three home runs helped power the Legion to victory!

Four runs separated these teams at the finish, but the game delivered plenty of hits, plenty of drama, a rules debate, and a reminder for everyone: know the rules, know your scoresheet, and never count a team out too early.

See you on the field!