The shot heard 'round the world remembered

The shot heard around the world was fired on this day in Lexington Massachusetts in 1775. Massachusetts militiamen fired on British soldiers at Lexington Common and began the war for American independence. See?? the Boston area has always been a trouble spot.

National League

Well we had another game decided in the bottom of the ninth by one run.  Yogi Berra was quoted as saying "It ain't over till it's over".  Today one of members may have eclipsed Berra's genius saying that "all it takes to win in this league is to score more runs than your opponent".

Today both teams posted two in the first inning and they continued scoring all game long with neither team able to take a commanding lead the lead. In the 6th it was one run, the same in the 7th until team Stepp took a one run lead over team Chrest(Respective managers) in the 8th.  

Ok, we now go into the big 9th when Wayne Mundy, running for Sessnik , had a bang , bang play at 1st but was called out under our league rule which states that all close plays are an out if the batting team does not have a coach at the base. Taylor grounded out for the 2nd time in the game, short to first and Smith fouled off strike three.  Into the bottom of the 9th with pitcher Thompson reaching base on a miss play by the 2nd baseman. He was forced at 2nd by Hearn and then Pelletier also reached on a misplay by one of the fielders and Lee Baker was also safe on  third error of the inning.  That loaded the bases but Sullivan was not able to get a go ahead hit. The score had been tied by then and it came down to the bases loaded, two outs and two strikes on John Merritt who pointed to center field and lined the winning hit just out of the reach of the frantic defense.  Merritt was put on the shoulders of his teammates and chanting of MVP,MVP,MVP was heard throughout the  field of play.

That's today's story and I'm sticking with it. 

Special recognitions include:

(name omitted 6 errors)

Winning team had Chrest, Bill Miller and Thompson posting four hits each followed by Frank Miller, Wolff, Lee Baker and Merritt three hits each including that amazing winning hit. 

The 2nd place team had Mundy, Hector M, Stepp, Kline, Taylor each getting three hits.  Pitcher Mills  had two hits and a walk to round out the hitting leaders.

Remember we are all invited to the Lakeland on-field memorial service for Bob Allen this Monday at 9:15 a.m. at the Southwest fields on diamond 2.

RDT 

American League

The game started off with Larry Powell's team scoring lots of runs with five doubles and two triples in the first three innings. The score after five innings was 18 to 7.

In the sixth inning Tommy Wise's team came alive. They scored ten runs including home runs by Tommy Wise and Pat Drouilard. Wise's team took the lead and were ahead 25 to 21 going in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Powell's team scored five runs to win the game in the last inning, 26-25.

It was an exciting game and both teams played hard.

It took three pitchers to get the win--Larry Powell, Nick Matta,J.D. Davis 

Some bad news was that Mike Gatto playing shortstop for Powell's team had a very hard hit ball hit him in mouth in the last inning--may have lost two or more teeth.

Leading hitters for Wise's team:

Ron Butler 6 for 6, one double

Pat Drouilard 4 for 6, one home run

Russ King  4 for 5

Larry Wells, 3 for 5

Dennis Holder 3 for 5

Leading hitters for Powell's Team

Roger Edwards 5 for 6, 2 doubles, one triple

Les Jacobson 4 for 5, 3 doubles

Bob Zelazny 4 for 6, 3 doubles

Mike Gatto 3 for 4

Ray Levesque 4 for 6

            

Roger Murdock anyone?

Yep today is the birthday of that famous co-pilot, Roger Murdock, otherwise known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,  "Tell your old man to drag Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes" kid.

Field Gessler Clinic

Well it sure seemed like we were dragging something around today. The three team game on Gessler Clinic Field pitted George Radlein pitching against JD Davis, and Larry Wells.

JD had a 4 for 5 day

The first inning for the Hitting squad started off slow and never really got going. after scoring 2 runs in the first and 4 in the third, they posted zeros until the 6th when they almost caught up with a 7 run surge. They posted another 3 in the 7th to tie for second place but gave that up as the 7th progressed.  Their highlight was Dean Shappler touching them all when his liner got through the outfield and went to the fence.

Jeff and Ed are all smiles

The Sitting team in contrast scored in every inning but one and posting 5 runs in each of the 2nd and 5th innings.  Regis Finnegan's homer sparked the 5 run 2nd and of course Tom Hamilton going 4 for 5 didn't hurt either.  Unfortunately, Russ King and Nick Matta collided at first base putting Nick on the sideline the rest of the way.   They bumped heads I guess as both had sore necks.  Could have been worse, but neither lost a tusk.
 

Deano holding things up

The Fielding team did score in every inning posting 5's in the 2nd and 4th innings.  I don't recall any homers but they had steady hitting up and down their line-up.  On top of that they had only 9 hitters in their batting order so guys like Bob Zelazny and Chuck Duff  went 4 for 5 plus a Sac Fly each; they had 4 batters get up 6 times.
 

Bob played a great 2b today

Final score Hit 15, Sit 18 and Field 19.  Then everyone ran off to play golf?  

Leading Hitters:
 Shappler 3 for 4 HR SacFly
 Butler 3 for 4  2b
 Hite 3 for 3 BB
 Radlein 3 for 4
 Mohan 3 for 4
 Hamilton 4 for 5  4 2b 
 Droulliard 5 for 5  3 2b
 Davis 4 for 5
 Kline 4 for 5 2b
 Zelazny 4 for 5 2b Sac Fly 
 Duff 4 for 5 Sac Fly
 King 3 for 4 Sac Fly 2b
 Bird 5 for 5
 

Field Servicemaster

Today's National League game ended up to a be a low scoring affair with Team Thompson besting Team Mills 11-8. The first inning started with Freddie Duchan scoring when Larry Chrest hit a double. Unfortunately that was all for the inning. Team Thompson responded with five runs off six hits and never looked back. 

The second inning was described as a sleeper for both teams although no one told Frank Miller who crossed the plate for Team Mills. In the third Team Mills remained in a state of slumber while Team Thompson scored three runs off doubles by Penny Pellitier and Bill Miller. The fourth saw Eddie Sullivan get a double and score  along with Doug Chamblee. Team Thompson  was unable to score in their half of the inning.

Penny led her team's hitting

In the fifth inning Team Thompson stretched their lead by outscoring team Mills three to one. The sixth and seventh innings were an awesome display of super pitching and great defense as neither team scored. The eighth saw Claude Hearn and Les Wolff score for Team Mills but it wasn't enough to close the gap. They were unable to score again in the ninth and ended up on the short end despite Team Thompson being held scoreless in the last three innings.

Ron's team emerged victorius

Again final score Team Thompson 11 and Team Mills 8.

Key performances include:

Penny Pellitier. 3 for 4 with a double

Mike Stepp     3 for 4

Miller boys        3 for 4 each

Annual Golf Outing

After the ball games, our two sport jocks headed to Oakwood Golf Club for our annual tournament. The match was close with only one stroke separating the first and last place team. There was a tie for first place. with Team Shaffer (Denny Shaffer, Eddie Kline, Ron Easton, and Bill Heap) and Team Taylor  ( Ted Taylor, Carl Luebking, Bernie Mohan, and John Byrd) both finishing with a very respectable one under par. Congratulations to each player.

 

Bobby Allen Memorial Service

The Lakeland Senior Softball Club will host a brief Memorial Service for Bobby Allen next Monday, April 22, on Field 2 at the Lakeland SW complex starting at about 9:15 or so before the ball games that day.  Everyone, ball player or not, is welcome to attend.

The fields are located just south of west Highland St on the west side of Lakeland.  Map Link

In addition, the Lakeland Club will be remembering Bobby by establishing a Memorial Sponsorship in his name for next season.  Donations toward this sponsorship can be made via any Lakeland Board Member, Dan Wheelock, Wayne Mundy, Russ King, and others will be serving as trustees for the sponsorship. 

Ron

David Letterman's Birthday

Denny Holder provided us with a student umpire today.  We want to thank Malcolm Alls, from the Polk State College Sports Officiating Program for umpiring today's game. He did a great job and his efforts were greatly appreciated. (Better than the usual umps we have to put up with)

Field Servicemaster

Today's game featured a match up between the Miller boys. 

Frank managed the visitors

Frank managed the visiting team and things looked promising through the first three innings. The top of the line up scored four runs in both the first and third innings giving them a pretty good cushion going into the fourth. 

Bill managed the Home Team

Team Billy Miller played the tortoise in this race to victory,managing to score at least one run in every inning except the third and in the end not only overcome the deficit but didn't even have to take their turn at bat in the ninth.

With Team Frank doubling the run production of Team Bill in the early innings, the bats went cold and managed a dismal two runs in the last six innings. In comparison the bats of Team Bill went from cool to on fire. Every player but one managed to cross the plate after getting on base. They scored three in the fourth, three in the fifth, four in the sixth, five in the seventh, and two in the eighth. 

The final score was Team Frank Miller 10 and Team Bill Miller 21.
 

El Lobo had a great day at bat

Key players in today's game include:

Duff Hill     4 for 5 with a double 
Frank Miller    4 for 4 
Wayne Mundy    3 for 4 
Richie Moots    3 for 4 
Les (El Lobo) Wolf    3 for 4 
Larry Chrest    5 for 6
Ron Thompson    5 for 6
Bill Miller    3 for 4
Dennis Holder    4 for 5
Vassearl Bess    4 for 5
Ted Taylor    4 for 4
Gene (Dancing Machine) Baker 5 for 5
Ray Mills 3 for 5 and winning pitcher

Field Gessler Clinic

Big Russ piling on

Although the clouds were out this morning, the bats were hot on the Gessler Field. The visiting team, managed by Don Keller,  and the home team , managed by Mr. Russ King fought it out for a good 5 innings.  Unfortunately the game was nine innings and Don's team needed a little more firepower.  There were several great plays on both sides and the final score was King 25- Keller 15.

Don & Les

Russ's team had plenty of hot bats as 4 players went 4 for 5, one went 5 for 5 and the manager went 3 for 4 .  Ron Butler and George Radlein went 4 for 4 in a losing cause.  They definitely would make good managerial material.  Great job by all and as usual a great time.  All of the players send their condolences to the Allen family.

George had a good day with his bat

Top hitters for both teams were:

Team King:

Brengman 5-5

D'Herin 4-5

Hill 4-5

Hamilton 4-5,triple

Droulliard 4-5

King 3-5

Finnigan 3-5

Team Keller:

Butler 4-4

Radlein 4-4

Matta 2-3, 2 walks

Keller 3-5, HR

Jacobs 4-5, 2 2B

Submitted by Don Keller

 

Bobby Allen

It is with extreme sadness that I have to tell you that Bobby Allen passed away yesterday. The cause of his death is yet to be determined. He did have heart and lung complications. There are no arrangements being made here in Florida, as all will be done up north. Please express your wishes for his family. His local address is 35914 Tanda Circle, Zephyrhills, FL 33541. I did have an email address as AllenMaria5@yahoo.com

Joel 

Doncha love the smell of softball in the morning?

 Just a brief note. Our good friend, teammate and all around great guy Bobby Allen is currently under intensive care and could certainly use some help just now.  Please keep Bobby and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Field C

 The American League game was between three evenly matched teams (on paper anyway). Team Hamilton was anchored by a pretty impressive early line starting with Kurt Coffman , followed by Juan Toro, Jimmy Laffoon, Don Held, Bob Zelazny, and Tommy Hamilton. But it was the bottom of their line up that managed to score ten or their fourteen runs. It was clearly the bats of Tommie Wise, John Byrd, Miguel Gonzalez, and Dennis Borowicz that provided the power.

Hey, we'll take fans wherever we can get 'em

The Angels had an equally impressive line up with Ron Butler, Steve Hill, Donnie Scarborough, Les Jacobson, Denny Shaffer, Russ King, Freddie Gonzalez, and Nick Matta leading off to provide the energy and power to score runs. Alas, it was not to be as they were held to just five runs the entire game. A big part of the lack of production could have been as a result of great pitching by first timer Miguel Gonzalez who started a little shaky but held the Angels to two runs the rest of the game.

Catchin' a little pine time

The game was ultimately won by the bats of Team Kline. The lineup read like murderer's row and they did exactly that as Jose Riviera, Frank Jacobs, Raul Torres, Chuck Duff, Joe  D'Herin, and Dean Schapler scored thirteen of their teams sixteen runs. They had built an impressive lead and it held up as they were the home team and did not have to bat in the ninth.

Jeff & Eddie enjoyed the day

Key performances were turned in by:

Kirk Coffman     4 for 4

Tommie Wise     3 for 3

Miguel Gonzalez     2 for 2 while allowing only  5 runs

Dennis Borowicz    3 for 3

Frank Jacobs     4 for 4 with 3 doubles

Chuck Duff     3 for 4

Friday before the games, Dennis Holder will hold a brief clinic on umpiring. Please plan on attending.

Denny teaches umpires ... who knew?

Field B

We had a great turn out for the National League on a beautiful, sunny, spring day. Captains Moots and Taylor had their hands full having 13 & 14 players respectively To accommodate everyone, five outfielders were utilized for part of the day.

Richie watches one of Elvis's shots

Team Moots banged out 25 hits which was closely  followed by team Taylor with 22 safe hits. Scoring started out with 9 runs in the first inning leaving Moots ahead by one run which ended up to be the winning difference.  The game was closely played with Moots' team gradually building up a lead into the eighth when they took command with five showing  a what seemed comfortable lead of 17-10.

Vassearl drives one

Seven straight hits for Taylor's team which was highlited by a grand slam by Hill. The score at this point was  17-16 with no one out and men on 2nd & 3rd. At this point team Moots slammed down great defense and the tying run died on second.

Every member of team  Moots contributed at least hit. Mundy & F. Miller both were four -four and Altomose & Thompson contributed three hits each.

Taylors stats showed Bess,Remington,Abney, Hill & Taylor all with three hits. 

Run Ted! Run!

Good work by all and good sportsmanship was enjoyed by all.   RDT

Very Nearly Rained On or Out

Field D

A little sun, very little, some rain, lots of clouds, some good hitting, better defense and great pitching is a near perfect description of the day at the Winter Haven Diamond Plex. Taking the field, for the game, was a combination of National and American Leagues.   

The visiting team, Managed by Richard Moots had trouble all day putting crooked numbers on the board, getting just 20 singles.  While the home team, Managed by Jeff Simon had a lot less trouble, collecting 19 hits, 7 for extra bases during the game.  More impressive than the hits, the home team, got very good defense from Rich Woodard, Frank Miller, Duff Hill, Bob Zelazny and Larry Chrest.  Richie Marino and Herbie Oesterried's outfield play kept the visitors close while the bats slept the day away. All the while Richard Sessnick kept the visitors off balance all game with some stellar pitching.   

Ron Thompson pitching for the visitors, wasn't as lucky as his defense made 7 errors behind him, leading to multi-run innings by the Simon led team.  To hear Ron tell it he was close to a no hitter (wink-wink).   

In the final inning, the visitors mounted a valid attempt to win the game sending 9 batters to the plate, scoring 6 runs, when the home team's defense showed some cracks, but it was too little too late.  The home team won 16-12.

Leading Hitters

Visitors

Bill Wolfe 4 for 5

Lee Baker 3 for 5

Clause Hearn 3 for 5

Ed Kline 3 for 5

Bob Hite 2 for 3, SAC

Home Team

Jeff Simon 3 for 5, 3B

Bess Vassuri 3 for 4, BB ,2B

Duff Hill 3 for 4, 2B, 3B

hite1955@gmail.com

Submitted By

Bob Hite

Field  ??

Why did Sleeping Beauty go to the photo store?        She was waiting for her “prints” to come.

You know the old saying, actually, there are a lot of old sayings and you guys are old enough to know them all.  The old saying I am referring to, regarding this game is, “sometimes you just get up on the right side of the bed”. Here is another one,” sometimes you are better off not even getting out of bed”. Those two statements can sum up each teams perspective on today’s American League game.

Manager Tommy Hamilton’s visiting team, we will call that team “Sleeping Beauty”, although the beauty part may be a stretch. They played a lethargic game against Nick Matta’s home team. We will call Nick’s team “The Poison Apple”, because their defense and pitching helped put “Beauty” to sleep.

The main stat of the game: 7 goose egg innings for team “Beauty”.  Maybe those “0’s” were left over Easter eggs?  Many of those scoreless innings can be credited to the solid tag team pitching of the “Poison Apple” boys, Larry Wells and JD Davis. These two pitchers kept the hitters off stride, by moving the ball around the dish and by constantly nipping the front corner of the plate.  Wells and Davis definitely got up on the right side of the bed, everything went their way. Jose Rivera, Juan Toro, Danny Parker, Les Jacobson and Dennis Borowicz all had big defensive plays for the “Poison Apple” bunch.

Tommy Hamilton’s team also made some nice defensive plays. Tommy played a strong shortstop for the visitors, catching both liners and ground balls that were hit deep in the hole at short.  Showing his ability to also charge the ball, Tommy threw out a runner on a slow roller that was fielded just past the mound. Left fielder, Roger Edwards, made a fantastic catch of a deep liner off the bat of Terry Smith.  Roger went way back and caught the ball over his head while on the run.

Other points of interest in the game, we had a 7 minute rain delay. It looked like the game was going to be washed out, but after a short delay the rain held off so we could finish. The flip-flop rule was used to close out the contest. Juan Toro ran like a race horse, stretching singles into doubles and triples and running for other players. Thanks to Don Witmer for doing a good job as home plate umpire. Terry Smith headed back up north after the game, safe journey Terry, see you next winter.

The final score was Visiting Team 4 - Home team 18.

Leading hitters for the Visitors:

Roger Edwards, 2-3, with a double.

Steve Hill, 2/3.

Larry Powell, 2/3.

Leading hitters for the Home team:

Juan Toro, 4/4, with two doubles, one triple and a HR.

Les Jacobson, 3/3 and a sac fly, (scoring Juan from 2^nd base).

Chuck Duff, 3/ 4, with a double and two triples.

Jim Laffoon, 3/ 3, with a sac.

JD Davis, 3/ 3.

Larry Wells, 3/3.

Play Ball!

All of you die-hard players will be happy to note that the fields are in good shape and playable so provided the rain stays away we'll be playing this morning.  Rain chance was at 60% last time I looked so we might call it later but for now ... Game ON.

Nobody's Fool Day

The American League was represented by three teams today, led by our three great managers, Don Keller, Les Jacobson, and Tommy Hamilton. The game started out with great promise. Team Keller scored twice but stranded two runners.  Team Hamilton quickly established a pattern that would repeat itself just about every inning. That pattern was to make two quick outs and then score multiple runs. They scored five runs on seven successive  hits after the two outs.Team Jacobson ran up four runs while having three runners on base when the last run crossed the plate. Team Keller went three and out and saw the other two teams score at will. Team Hamilton scored another five runs, three after the second out was recorded. Team Jacobson caught up with six runs off seven hits.
 

Don's looking for a little help here

The bats on Team Keller cam alive in the third as they scored five runs with Josh Wells' double and Don Keller's triple the big hits. Team Hamilton appeared to be shut down but then scored five runs. Team Jacobson was  four and out after Terry Smith turned a smart double play. The fourth again looked like Team Keller was going to continue their drive to the lead when the first two batters scored. Then with two runners on base went down four and out and stranded three runners. Team Hamilton padded their lead by pushing across three runs. Team Jacobson managed only one run off Frank Jacobs second double of the day.

The fifth was a repeat for Team Keller with the first two batters scoring off successive doubles by Bill Wolfe and Don Keller. Then three and out. Team Hamilton looked to be held in check as the first two batters were unable to reach base. But it was not to be...the next seven batters reached based and went to the bench having maxed out with five runs. Team Jacobson managed three runs with Terry Smiths home run the big hit of the inning. The sixth saw Team Keller shut out, Team Hamilton scoring three times, while Team Jacobson

batted around and scored seven times to make the game close. 

The last inning was exciting for the second and third teams as you will see. Team Keller only managed to score once and were sent to the field to try and shut down Team Hamilton. That is exactly what they did for the first and only time holding them scoreless. The only thing left was for them to do the same against Team Jacobson to preserve their victory. Things got interesting quickly as Les planted one over the center field fence to start their rally. The next two batters reached base and scored off Larry Powell's triple. He later scored on a sacrifice fly to knot the game. 

With the next two batters unable to keep the rally going, the game ended with Team Hamilton and Team Jacobson tied with 26 runs apiece and Team Keller 12. 

Winning pitchers were Wells and Lopicola.
 

Big Les hits for more

Outstanding play for Team Keller

      Keller    3 for 4 with a two triples and a double

Outstanding play for Team Hamilton

    Scarborough     4 for 5

    Hamilton     4 for 5 with two doubles

     Shaffer       4 for 5

       Bercaw    4 for 5

       Holder    4 for 5

      Lopicola    4 for 4

Outstanding play for Team Jacobson

    Jacobs    4 for 5 with two doubles and a triple

     Gazarek    5 for 5 with a double and triple

     Jacobson    4  for 5 with a homer

       King     4 for 5

     Schappler    4 for 5

     Powell     4 for 4 with a triple

       Smith    3 for 4 with a homer

 

Field C

DEFENSE.  Was the word of the day on a near perfect Winter Haven morning.  The visiting team got off to a hot start with doubles by Chrest and Mundy, triple by Hite and RBI single from Klien for a 3 run inning. In the home half with runners on 2^nd and 3^rd and one out, Reggie Barnes flashed the leather that was the hallmark of the day, snarling a hard hit grounder stepping on first and throwing home to complete the DP and blank the home boys.   

In the visitor 2^nd inning the home team returned the favor with 1 of the 3 double plays they turned during the game.  It was Thompson to Miller to Marinacci to end the inning. 

The visitors had their biggest inning in the 3^rd with RBI triples from both Klien and Barnes that contributed to 5 runs, when Baker, Sessnick and Gibson each single to top off the inning. 

 

Dick's all smiles

The home team finally got rolling in the 4^th with three straight singles from Bess, Frank Miller and Thompson before the big hit, a Grand Slam, from Bill Miller that got the home team back in the game. 

 

Frank had a good day at the plate

The game entered the bottom of the ninth with the score tied at 9 and the home team refusing to go home with a tie.  With 2 outs, men on 2^nd and 3^rd the hitter was walked intentionally to load the bases and create a force at any base.  Enter Hector Marinacci who laced a single over the bag at first to plate the winning run for the home team.

The game was so hotly contested that one poor soul forgot his keys. They  were secured and Bob Z has them. Give him a call to get them back.

Leading Hitters

Visitors

Lee Baker 3 for 3

Wayne Mundy 3 for 4, 2 2B

Larry Chrest 2 for 4, 2 2B

Home

Frank Miller 3 for 5

Bill Miller 2 for 4, HR, BB

Hector Marinacci Game winning RBI

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