Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Monday, February 5, 2024
HALL OF FAME TICKETS ON SALE - BUY 2 NOW.
It is time to buy tickets to the Polk County Senior Softball Hall of Fame dinner that is to be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. This year we have the privilege to honor Chris Constantine and Loren Fabian from Winter Haven Senior Softball and Mike Cobb and Gerry DeRidder from Lakeland Senior Softball as they become members of the Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame dinner will be in Winter Haven this year. This event will be held at the Frierson Nicholas American Legion Post 8 ballroom. The address is: 300 Avenue M Northeast, Winter Haven 33881. The Social will begin at 5:30 PM with a cash bar at the Legion where you can order and pay for your favorite drinks and help support the Legion. The Dinner will begin at 6:00 PM. After the dinner, the ceremony to induct the new members into the Hall of Fame will commence. The ceremonies should be over by 8:00 PM.
Ticket prices this year have increased to $25.00 per person. This is the first price increase in 15 years. Last year we kept the ticket prices at $20.00 and the Hall of Fame Committee agreed to pay the $3.50 additional cost of each ticket out of the general fund. The price of your ticket includes your meal and paying for the inductee's meal, HOF shirt, HOF hat and plaques. The Legion has graciously agreed to provide the venue at no cost. The Hall of Fame Committee expects this to be a break-even year due to all of the price increases that we have seen of the past year.
You can purchase your tickets from Don Witmer, Joe D'Herin, Ron Thompson, Tommy Hamilton or Steve Hill in Winter Haven. In Lakeland, you can purchase your tickets from JD Davis, Ron Lloyd, Larry Sweet, Regis Finnegan and Marty Martinez. Tickets should be purchased no later than the end of February so we can let the Caterer know how many people will attend.
Please show your support for the Hall of Fame program and for this year's inductees into the Polk County Senior Softball Hall of Fame by coming to the HOF Dinner on March 13, 2024.
Don Witmer, Treasurer
Polk County Senior Softball Hall of Fame
This message brought to you by our sponsor American Legion Post 8
Attention: On Friday February 23rd, after our games, there will be a ceremony at the American Legion to award 2 QUILTS OF VALOR to WHSS long time player Norm Learn and Robert Polster, a relative of John Gibson, another long time WHSS player. The Legion has all the standard beverages and offers a very good lunch menu. Come join us for that after our games.
I am planning at least 2 more ceremonies for veteran ball players and family members in the 2024 WHSS season. So, any veterans see me for a simple application and I'll get you registered and your QOV will be made.
Write up by Loren Fabian
This message brought to you by our sponsor American Legion Post 8.
Feb 2, 2024
Don Oudings Old Timers played the Fighting Coconuts this past Friday and the Old Timers won a good game 21 to 18.
Good hitting came from both teams, but the Old Timers performed the best. Kathy MacDonald made timely clutch hits during the game.
Mark Tutrani pitched a good game as an Old Timer and was perfect at the plate.
We were happy to have several pool players join us on both teams.
Write up by Robert Spitaleri
This message was brought to you by our sponsor Ridge Energy Savers, Inc.
Saturday, February 3, 2024
The Dukes hosted the Yankees on Field B this morning.
As with our previous game, the Dukes jumped out to big lead before the Yankees caught them, scoring 6 runs in the 5th to tie the score at 12. The lead changed hands several times and remained close throughout. A key for the Dukes was a 2 out 2 run line drive to right off the bat of John Turchetta in the bottom of the 8th to extend their lead to 26-20. The Yankees scored two in the top of the 9th to complete the scoring.
Final 26-22 Dukes
Both teams hit well throughout their line ups. Stand out hitters were, the Yankee's Henry R 4-5, Dukes, Rob Reed and Tom Witten 4-4. Winning pitcher Ed Fultz.
Submitted by Steve Hill.
This message brought to you by our sponsor Stewart Auto Repair.
Wally's World and the Mets ended five innings of play all tied up at 13. Pat Lopiccolo entered the pitching responsibility for the Mets allowing only one run for the rest of the game. The difference was a five run seventh by the Mets as Toro, Dejongh, Gelinas, Vining & Boito scored.
With the score 19-14 Parker and Vanderhyde both hit the ball for normal hits but great defensive plays by Vining and Gelinas stopped the rally. Ramon kept hope alive but too little too late with the final out ending the game at l9-14 Mets.
Toro scored four runs, Dejongh three and all other contributors scored one except Zelanzy who scored two on his birthday. Happy Birthday Bob.
Parker scored three for Wally's World with all other contributors pitching in one or two.
Again, we had good umpiring and no arguing with any of our volunteer umpires.
Write up by RDT.
This message brought to you by our sponsor Jarrett-Gordon Ford.
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Winter Haven American League update.
Today, the American League players joined forces with the Blue Knights in an exhilarating doubleheader at Solivita. Game one proved to be a fierce battle, and initially, it seemed like victory was within our grasp. However, Solivita had other plans. Despite holding a commanding 12-run lead in the bottom of the seventh, Solivita launched a relentless hitting attack, capitalizing on numerous misplayed balls, ultimately resulting in a heartbreaking loss by a single run.
Game two took a different turn. We emerged with unwavering determination, never relinquishing our lead. Each inning was filled with intensity, and we emerged triumphant with a score of 21/27. Remarkably, we smashed nine home runs across both games, showcasing our exceptional prowess.
With anticipation, we eagerly await our next matchup, ready to face any challenge that comes our way.
Stats:
Mike Vaccaro 5/9
Eddie Hurn 6/8, HR
Don Fee 4/7, 2 HRs
Robert Morris 7/8, 2 HRs
Lou Guzman 5/6
Rob Aponta 8/8, 2 HRs
Dana Ferrande 7/8
Manny Rios 6/6
Joey Santos 5/7
Jose Rodriguez 6/7
Rusty Skipper 5/7
Bob Schultheis 3/5
Bill Maxwell 6/6, 2 HRs
Write up by Lou Guzman
This message brought to you by our sponsor Robert's Premier Painting
Friday, February 2, 2024
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Tuesday, January 30th
On Monday there was a classic struggle between Wally's Warriors and the Oldtimers. The pitchers had a hard time finding the plate and the fielders finding the ball. The game was won by Oldtimers 23 to 21. Top hitters for the Warriors were Bob Hite and Pablo. Top hitters for the Oldtimers were Freddie Gonzales and Mark Tutrani.
Write up by Don Ouding
This message brought to you by our sponsor Merrill Lynch.