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

--

Good Friday

Good Friday was not bad this year.  The sun warmed the fields nicely and by 10am or so the extra shirts were coming off.  We had two games today, one American League and one mixed.  A couple of the fields had standing water so  we used B and D today.

Field D

The American League game should have been a real slug fest today but ended up a bit lopsided due to some excellent defense turned in by the Home Squad.  Both teams blanked in only two innings but the home team plated the max 5 runs in the 2nd, 4th and 6th while holding the visitors to 3 runs in their best inning, the 4th.

Good Day Sammy!

The Home Boys pitched by George Radlein played some awsome defense with great catches in the outfield by Chuck Duff, Juan Toro (as usual), and Ron Pepin.  The infield was equally hot with the leather as Sam Lopez, Tom Hamilton and Joe D'Herin turned in some swell plays.

Tough loss Larry

For the visitors, pitched by Larry Wells, hitting was the order of the day with Don Keller hitting for the cycle, Don Erb bouncing the ball off the outfield fence and Elvis Abney rapping out singles and doubles.  Nice to have you back with us Elvis!

The final score was Home Team 21 - Visiting Team 11

Top Hitters for the  Home Team

• Sam Lopez 3 for 3 BB, 2 doubles 
• JD Davis 3 for 3 BB 
• Juan Toro 4 for 5 Homer 2 doubles
• Don Scarbrough 4 for 5 double
• Joe D'Herin 3 for 5
• Mike Levesque 3 for 4 triple 

Top Hitters for the Visiting Team

• Elvis Abney 4 for 4 double
• Mike Wiltshire 3 for 3 Sac Fly
• Don Keller 4 for 5 Homer, Double, Triple
• Don Erb 3 for 4 double , Sac Fly
• Regis Finnegan 3 for 5

Submitted  By

Ron Butler

Field B

Well, at least it's starting to feel a little like spring, for the boys (older men) of summer.  The batting team, or visitors, got off to a torrid start with singles from Altomose, Terry Smith, Merritt and Barnes that plated a run and had bases loaded with no outs. That was about as good as it got for the visitors, as they could only push 1 more run across that inning.   

 

RT went 4 for 4 today

The home team quickly answered with a single from Marino and a Homerun from Larry Chrest.  The runs kept coming as the home team sent 7 more men to the plate and scored 2 more to grab a 4-2 lead which they never gave up.  The home team bats could not be silenced as they scored 5 in the 2^nd, 5^th and 6^th innings.  The best inning the visitors could muster was the 4^th when Terry Smith had a Grand Slam that cut the lead to 4, 11-7.   

 

The CIC played defense for both teams

That was a close as the score got, as the home team won 22-10.

Leading Hitters

Visitors

• Terry Smith 4 for 5, HR
• Reg Barnes 4 for 5, 2B
• Bob Hite 4 for 5, 2B
• Russ King 4 for 5, 2B

Home Team

• Richie Marino 5 for 5, HR
• Bob Murphy 4 for 5, 2B
• Bill Miller 3 for 4, BB
• Ed Kline 5 for 5
• Ron Thompson 4 for 4, 2B, BB

Submitted By

Bob Hite

From the Commissioner

I want to take a few minutes to recognize some of the folks that helped make this a very successful season. First are the members of the Board of Directors (Ron Butler, Al Andrew, Russ King, Reggie Barnes, Richard Moots and Joel Freemen) for their commitment and vision that brought about the changes in league operations. 

Second are the members of the rules committee (Joe D’Herin, Ron Butler, Richard Moots, and Mike Stepp) that met for two months to review all suggested rules changes and bringing them forward to the BOD. 

Third is Gene Baker for the photographic support throughout the season and especially the team photos that were an integral part to our new sponsor recognition program. 

Fourth is Ron Butler who has done an outstanding job with the development and publishing of the web site. 

Fifth would be Bobby Reagan and Lee Baker, who come early every game day and make sure the fields and equipment are ready when you get here. 

And lastly, our managers ( John Smith, Ted Taylor, Richard Moots, Marshall Bloom, Freddie Gonzalez, Nick Matta, Larry Powell, Donnie Witmer, and Jeff Simon) for everything associated with their very tough job, especially the fantastic recaps of the games.Please take  the time to thank them when you see them at the park. The league would not be nearly as successful and enjoyable if not for them.

While not members of the league per say, our sponsors are certainly a part of the WHSSC family. Without them, many of the outstanding events that we sponsor each year would not be possible. Please show them your gratitude by supporting them and their businesses. This year’s sponsors include Amerity Financial, Merrill Lynch, Rolling Thunder, Ingram Financial Group, Estates at Carpenters, The Enjoyment Book, Jarrett-Gordon Ford Lincoln, Gessler Clinic, Lakeside Dermatology, Lewis Tax Advisory Group, Optical Outlets, Kentucky Fried Chicken, East Haven RV Park, and Small World Tour and Cruises. You can read more about them by clicking on the appropriate links on the web page.

At our short meeting before the Championship games I mentioned a couple other folks. First was the outstanding class that were inducted into the Hall of Fame (Reggie Barnes, Frank Miller, and Freddie Dampier) for their many contributions to the league, character, and love of the game. The last person was Ron Thompson, himself a HOF member, who through his sponsors and Enjoyment Book sales efforts funded over one third of our budget.

By way of thanking the members of the league, the BOD elected to issue one long sleeve micro fiber tee shirt to every member This a continuation of the program Donnie Witmer reenergized a couple years ago with the purchase of the red wind shirts. I hope everyone liked them and will get some good use out of them.

Here's a few things to make note of; the new rules that will be published in the next month or so. They include changing to ISA rules as our base document which brings us in line with the Florida Half Century, new running rules, and rules addressing use of the pitching screen. Also the BOD has elected not to send out applications this year but will require folks to download the form from the web site or pick one up before they head north.  There are a couple dates associated with the form. Get it in before the end of October and your renewal fee is only $30 (after that date it is $40}. Also it must be returned by the 29^th of November if you want to play on a team next season, as our draft is set for the 17th of December. Those received after that date will be assigned as pool players. The other crucial dates are 14 January which is the start of the season, and  22 March which is the end of season Championship playoffs and Family BBQ. Ballots will also appear on the web site and must be returned with your application. Anyone interested in running for the BOD should notify a member of the board.

In closing let me congratulate the winners of the respective leagues…Marshall Bloom of the National League and Nick Matta in the American League. Both teams are well deserving of their respective titles as they played hard all season and actually won the regular season before going on to the title.

We will now start summer play and game start times will remain the same until the BOD meets. Please be signed in no later than 0900. We ask you sign in under American or National League and indicate the position you want to play. This will greatly assist us in putting the teams together.

Again, to all the members it has been my pleasure to serve as your Commissioner this year. Thank you for your support, friendship, sportsmanship, and commitment to the spirit of the game.

Herstory Made

Today was an historic day for Winter Haven Senior Softball.  For the first time two women seniors came to play ball and play ball they did, and better than quite a few of the guys, too.  Richie was smiling, he figured that finally there was someone that might listen to his imitation Elvis crooning.  Ok the Elvis jokes are getting stale, I get that, but it's still funny.

We also had several other new players today.  Keep it up guys & gals the more the merrier.

 

Field B

The day was cold and windy with many players, assuming they are still around, deciding to sit this one out after a long season.  The game was primary a National League game with each team picking up 2 American Leaguers and 1 woman (yes woman) each.   

Giselle lines one up

The hitting team (or visitors) got off to a quick start scoring 3 runs in the first, 5 in the 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th innings.  They were led by the torrid hitting of  Zelazny, Duchan, Altemust and Sequin, combined they went 18 for 19 including a triple, Homerun and a pair of doubles. 

Penny takes the field

The fielding team (or home) started slowly, only scoring 1 run in the first two innings, but did score 5 in the 3^rd, 6 in the 4^th and 9 in the 7^th. It was a balanced attacked that got the home team back into the game with every player getting at least one hit and 10 players getting 2 or more.  Butler led the team with 2 doubles and Hector blasted a home run to right. 

When the game was done, it finished as it had started, in a tie.  Both teams plated 27 runs while trying to stay warm.

Leading Hitters:

Duchan 5 for 5

Sequin 5 for 5

Mundy 3 for 5

Zelazny 4 for 4, 3B, HR

Sullivan 4 for 6

Bess 4 for 5, BB

Butler 3 for 4, BB, 2 2B

Henwort 4 for 5

Submitted by

Bob Hite

Field C

Dorothy said, “I don’t think we are in Kansas anymore”, when she arrived in Oz. I was beginning to wonder if we were in Florida anymore, as cold and windy as it was, on Tuesday morning, in Winter Haven.  I don’t know about a house falling from the sky, but there were several balls that fell in for hits due to the windy conditions.

I can tell you my team played defense in black and white, while the Russ King squad played the game in Technicolor. Defense was the deciding factor in the game, as the King squad came up with big plays when they need to do so. The Matta squad, at times, treated the ball like it was made of water and they would melt if they came in contact with it.  

For the sake of this write up we will call Russ’ team the Tin Men, because they played with lots of heart. The Tin Men scored five runs in the 1^st, 4^th and 8^th innings. They had a different set of heroes in each inning.  In the first inning, the top of the Tin Men line up performed like a well-oiled machine.  Sam Cuscovich, Steve Hill, Mike Wiltshire, Don Keller and Ron Pepin all scored.  In the 5^th inning, Tom Wise, Russ King, Scott Sequin, Larry Wells and Sam Cuscovitch crossed the plate.  In the 8^th inning Pat Lopiccolo, Larry Wells, Steve Hill, Mike Wilshire and Don Keller followed the yellow brick road to scoring.

Nick’s team, we will call the Lions, because they played with great courage. That fortitude was on display in the 1^st, 4^th and 8^th innings, as we scored 4 runs, 5 runs and 6 runs in those innings.  In the bottom of the 1^st inning, the top of the order was ferocious.  Kirk Coffman, Juan Toro, Greg Denny and Pat Drouilard all scored.  In the 4^th inning, Pat Drouilard, Robert Ayers, Larry Powell, Nick Matta and Steve Tero roared across the plate.  In the 8^th inning, Juan Toro, Greg Denny, Don Scarbrough, Pat Drouillard, Larry Powell, Dave Hartley and Steve Tero were kings of the jungle, they all scored.

Both teams scored 15 runs in those three innings (1^st, 4^th and 8^th). But even in the land of Oz, the game is 9 innings long, not three innings long. Thus the difference, the Tin Men had a few more innings where they performed better than the Lions and they won the game by a score of 24-17.

Even though one team won and one team lost, this story has a happy ending for everyone because we are all friends, we had a good time playing ball together and we will get to do it again. Now click your spikes together and repeat after me……there is no place like the ball field, there is no place like the ball field, there is no place like the ball field.

Leading Hitters

Tin Men

Sam Cuscovitch, 3 / 4 with a triple, double and a walk.

Steve Hill, 5 / 5 with a HR and a double.

Mike Wiltshire,  3 / 5 with a triple.

Don Keller, 3 / 5 with two doubles.

Ron Pepin,  5 / 5  with a double.

Tom Wise, 4 / 5 with a HR.

Larry Wells, 3 / 4 with two doubles.

Lions

Greg Denny 3/ 4 with two doubles.

Pat Drouilard 3/ 4 with two doubles.

Bob Ayers, 3 / 4  with a triple.

Steve Tero,  4 /4  

Submitted by

Nick Matta

League Championship Finals

OK Guys, Contest time!  Can you name the American League MVP in the photo below?  I know this will be hard without a sound track but here's a hint; he can break up a meeting with his Elvis impersonation.

 
Ari Harris donated a bunch of pictures from past years and they have been added to our photo albums so if you're looking for that ball player you used to know maybe you can find him there. It's also nice to have some pictures of our teammates out of uniform. 

Now on to the playoffs where both division leaders were able to pull off a win in the finals.  Congrats to the Giants and Rangers.  

 Field B

 Giants VS Cubs  

The 2013 Giants

Today was a great day for a ballgame.  Manager Bloom from the Giants and Manager Taylor from the Cubs met in the center of Field B for the coin toss.  The Commish Bob Zelazny had to borrow a coin for the toss.  Cubs won the flip and elected to be the home team.  No Celeb to sing the Star Spangled Banner so now Umpire Bob Zelazny sent out the call to the players to let the game begin. 

The 2013 Cubs

Deems led off for the Giants and arrived at first on an error.  Bill Miller singled and Ed Guspyt  flew around the bases after blasting a homer to deep right center field.  After two were out Elmer Black and Jerry Remington had base hits and Doug Chamblee drove them in with a double.

Cubs lead off hitter Wilson led off the last of the inning with a base hit that was followed by Kline's single.  Bill Wolfe came to bat with one out and was
walked to load the bases (that was the first of four walks Bill would have on the day)  Ray DePalma, Ted Taylor, Reg Barnes had singles to bring in the forth
run of the inning.  Score after one was Giants 5 Cubs 4. 
 
The Giants were scoreless in the second and Cubs tied it up in their half of the inning.   Third inning started with Bloom's single, Miller's triple, Guspyt's single, Mahon tripled and scored on a hit by Black.  In the Cubs half, Wolfe lead off with another walk, after an infield out, Taylor walked as did Barnes to load the bases.  One run scored on Leggett's infield out, then Fulton, Altamoose and LaMay all singled to score 4 runs for inning. 

The top of the 8 inning Mahon lead off with a base hit, Thompson walked, after an out Remington and Chamblee had hits and John Merritt smashed a triple to deep left center. Les Wolff singled him home.  Total for the inning 5 runs.  The Cubs came back with two in their half of the inning.  

Giants scored one in the top of the ninth.  The Cubs were down three going into their last at bat.  Altamose started the ninth with a hit and after two were out, Kline singled as did Mundy and Wolfe and
the game ended on a fly out.  

Final Score was Giants 21 and the Cubs 20. 

Congrats to the Giants on winning the Winter Haven Senior Softball National League Championship. Great games guys.  And thanks to all the friends and family
that came out to support us.  Many Thanks to all the Board Members for all the work they do and for the Super lunch provided for all after the game.  See you
all next season.

Leading hitters
Cubs
Wilson 4 for 6
Kline 5 for 6
Wolfe 2 for 2 with 4 walks
DePalma 4 for 6
Leggett  Home Run
Altamose 4 for 5

Giants
Miller 4 for 4 double triple
Black 3 for 4
Remington 4 for 4
Chamblee 3 for 3 with Homer and walk
John Merritt big triple

Submitted by
Don LaMay
  

Field C

The American League Championship was decided in the bottom of the ninth inning when Freddy Gonzalez's Angels squad could not overcome the visiting Nick Matta Rangers' 5 run lead. Rangers Win! Rangers Win! Rangers Win!

The 2013 Rangers

Where can you ride a roller coaster outside of an amusement park?  At the Winter Haven Senior Softball American League Championship game, played on “Field C”.  The game today had bends and turns, ups and downs.  It was filled with excitement. It even came to an end, with a sudden stop.  When the ride was all over, err, I mean when the game was all over, a few player’s heads were spinning.

The visiting team, Rangers, came out of the gate flying with consecutive hits by Sam Cuscovitch and Kirk Coffman.  It looked like things were being set up for a big inning.  However, the Angels defense was undeterred.  They knocked the Ranger’s coaster train off the track, by turning a flashy double play. Shortstop, Pat Drouilard, made a nice play on a hot grounder.  He tagged the speedy Cuscovitch out and flipped to Les Jacobson, to force Coffman out at 2^nd. The inning ended a few plays later and with strong defensive play the Rangers were held scoreless in the 1st. The Angels came to bat in the bottom of the 1^st and scored 2 runs off of a couple nice hits by Juan Toro, Les Jacobson and Russ King.

The 2013 Angels

The Rangers got back on track in the 2^nd inning, scoring 5 runs. The inning started with Nick Matta working the count and getting a walk.  Joe D’Herin then ripped a line drive past third, for a double. The hitting clinic was open for a short time as five consecutive singles flew off the bats of Fred Dampier, Jack Benson, Jim Goodhue, Tim Gallagher and Tom Wise. The Angels were shut out in their half of the inning.

After 2 innings the score was Rangers 5- Angels 2.

There were plenty of other small loops and bumps in the game, but the next big dip in the coaster ride came in the bottom of the 5^th inning. This time the Angels bats heated up and they scored 5 runs. Greg Denny started things off with a line drive single.  Dennis Holder walked, then Freddy Gonzalez,  Juan Toro, Les Jacobson and Pat Drouilard all had hits, surging the Angels into the lead.

After 5 innings of play the score was Rangers 9- Angels 10.

Over the next few innings the Rangers managed to score 6 more runs, while the Angels bats were silent.  Regis Finnegen was strong on the mound and the Rangers played solid defense.  The Rangers had a few big hits in the last few innings, but the hitting star in this game was Jim Goodhue.  Jim knocked in 3 runs in the last 3 innings. Two of the runs came off a Goodhue HR ball, hit into deep right field. The other run came off a timely single that Jim lined into right field, with two outs in the 9^th.  Insurance runs can come in handy.

Going into the bottom of the 9^th the score was Rangers 15- Angels 10.

The rally cry came off the Angels bench, in the bottom of the 9^th, as they tried for a come from behind win. Juan Toro started things off with a double and the inning had some promise. But good defensive plays from Nick Matta and Jose Rivera helped to quiet the rally. The Angels were down to their last out, however they were not going to go down easy. Consecutive hits by Russ King, Larry Wells, Ron Pepin and Rich Marino pushed 3 runs across the plate.  Ranger’s shortstop, Don Ing, who came back from Ontario, Canada, just to play in the games this week, ended the rally. Don caught a line drive in the hole at short to wrap up the win. The coaster ride came to a sudden stop with the Rangers winning the championship!

Final Score: Rangers 15- Angels 13.

Congratulations to the WHSS, American League Champion Ranger’s players!  Congratulations to the Angel’s managers and players who gave us all we could handle, you guys had a great year.  A special shout out to all WHSS American League players, commissioner and board members.  You guys are the best; you made it a fun winter softball season.

For the Rangers big defensive plays were turned in by Ron Butler, Joe D’Herin, Regis Finnegen, Nick Matta, Jack Benson, Don Ing, Jose Rivera, Fred Dampier and Sam Cuscovitch. The Angels had big plays on defense from Les Jacobson, Juan Toro, Pat Drouilard, Ron Pepin, Freddy Gonzalez, Dennis Holder, and Russ King.

Leading Hitters:

Rangers

Jim Goodhue, 4/ 4 with a HR.

Sam Cuscovitch,  4 / 4.

Joe D’Herin, 3 / 4 with a double.

Jack Benson, 3 / 4.

Kirk Coffman,  2 / 3 with a sac.

Nick Matta, 2 / 3 and a walk.

Tom Wise, 2 / 3.

Angels

Juan Toro, 4 /4 with 3 doubles.

Les Jacobson, 3/ 4.

Russ King, 3 /4.

Ron Pepin, 3 / 4.

Submitted by

Nick Matta 

Field E

 The three teams not playing in the American League Championship game played an exhibition game and looking forward to the barbeque cookout afterwards.  

The Red Sox, managed by Jeff Simon, tied for second with the Tigers managed by Don Witmer. Both teams scored 8 runs in the 7 inning contest.  

The Rays, managed by Larry Powell,  scored 31 runs, including 12 in the seventh inning to run away with the victory.   

The Red Sox had a homer from Don Held and a triple from Bob Hite.  The Tigers had a homer from Don Keller.  The Rays had homers by Don Erb and Dave Hartley. 

A good time was had by all and everybody said they're looking forward to next year.  

Submitted by
Jeff Simon