Remembering George

It's with a heavy heart that I have to pass along the news that George Radlein passed away yesterday.  George was a team captain, commissioner, and a damn fine pitcher for both Lakeland and Winter Haven.

No one loved a good laugh more than George. He will be missed. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this difficult time.

Ron

 Today's game in Auburndale was a 3 team contest.  The hit team was managed by Powell came in third and scored 9 runs.  The sit team, managed by LaMay, was unstoppable and scored an incredible 34 runs.  The field team was managed by Simon came in second and scored 19 runs.  As with all 3 team games only 7 innings were played.  A special thank you goes to Don Witmer for umpiring the entire game.  Leading hitters for the sit team:  Capozzi 2-3, Altemose 2-3, Long 2-3 HR, McLellan 3-3 2B HR.  Leading hitters for the sit team: Thompson 3-5 BB, Taylor 3-5 BB, Schaffer 4-4 2 2B, HR, Hector 4-4 BB, Mohan 3-3 2BB, Kline 3-4  BB, Penny 4-5 2B, Boswell 4-5 HR, Leggett 3-4 2B BB, Yarletts 4-5.  Leading hitters for the field team: D. Hill 3-4, Simon 2-3 BB, Lopez 3-4, Marino 3-4, Burns 2-4, Zakrowski 2-4, Parpart 3-4, G. Seguin 2-4, Moots 3-4, F. Miller 3-4 Strait 2-3.  WP was Leggett.


Write up by Jeff Simon

Wishing Upon A Star And Swinging A Hot Bat!

Today’s write up is tied together with Disney rides and movie phrases. See if you can recognize them.

Team Toy Story, Visitors: Pepin, Essenmacher, Stier, Toro, Vandenberg, Farinas, Zelazny, Denny, Levesque, Kallister and Wells.

Team Nemo, Home: Coffman, Drouilard, Doerbaum, Davis, Wiltshire, Seguin, Hill, Giordano, Dampier, Smith, Schapler and Matta.

The Toy story squad started out the game with a catch phrase from Sheriff Woody, “This town ain’t big enough for the two of us”. They hit like they wanted to run the Nemo team out of the ocean. The Visitors started out taking a 4 run lead. Pep, Essenmacher, Stier, Vandenberg, Zelazny and Denny all reached base safely, either by hit, or error, to account for the 4 runs scored. Team Nemo, was not going to be lost at sea for long. The errors they committed, in the first inning, may have made Nemo’s manager, Nick Matta, grumpy, but the team had an answer for him. They followed the advice of Dory.

Dory: “Hey there, Mr. Grumpy Gills. When life gets you down do you wanna know what you've gotta do?” Marlin: “No I don't wanna know.” Dory: [singing] “Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim.”

Team Nemo swam their way to scoring 3 runs in the first inning. Coffman started things off with a single, Doerbaum then went all Space Mountain on us with a homerun ball, to score two runs. Wiltshire added another homerun to finish the scoring in the first. After one inning: Toy Story: 4-Nemo: 3.

Team Nemo added a run in the 2^nd to tie the game. In the 3^rd inning, it was “Hi, Ho Hi, Ho , It’s Off To Work We Go!” The Nemo gang got busy, they scored 5 runs. Coffman, Drouilard, Davis, Wiltshire, Seguin and Hill worked the mine that produced the gold. After 3 innings the score was Toy Story: 4- Nemo: 9.

As Buzz Lightyear would say, “Sheriff, this is no time to panic.” The Toy Story gang was not going to fall out the window and quit; instead they had a “mad tea party” and scored 5 runs in the 5^th. Those 5 runs, along with a solo run they had already added in the 4^th inning, lifted the Toy Story gang into the lead. The big hit in the 5^th inning was a Zelazny homerun. Like Buzz Lightyear, the Toy story team had taken flight, or maybe, “they were just falling with style.” The Nemo gang answered back quickly with 3 runs. They too, took flight, like they were on the Peter Pan ride. Matta started out the 5^th inning with a triple, hit all the way to “Neverland”, in deep right center. Coffman singled him in. Drouilard added a single, Doerbaum walked, while Wiltshire and Seguin finished off the scoring that inning when they added singles. After 5 innings of play the score was Toy Story: 9- Nemo: 12.

It was time for the Toy Story team to go to “infinity and beyond”. They added 4 more runs, in the 6^th inning, to recapture the lead. Denny, Levesque, Kallister, Pepin, Essenmacher, Stier and Toro wandered safely through “Tom Sawyer’s Island” and found treasure. Team Nemo had a “Small World” experience in the bottom of the 6th and could only answer back with one run. After 6 innings the score was Toy Story: 14- Nemo: 13.

In the 7^th inning someone “poisoned the waterhole”, for the Toy Story bunch.  Team Nemo’s pitcher, Dave Doerbaum, applied the poison. Dave started an impressive streak of strikeouts that inning, as he struck out the last two batters he faced, to end the inning.  The Toy Story team must have felt like they had “a snake in their boot”, as they could only score one run in the 7^th.  In the bottom of the 7^th inning Doerbaum crushed the ball. This time he hit Splash Mountain. Here is how it went down, with two runners on base, Dave hit a shot that landed in the lake over the right center fence.  I’ll quote Crush, (the sea turtle), from Finding Nemo, it seems appropriate here.  

Crush: “Saw the whole thing, dude. First you were all like “whoa", and we were like "whoa", and you were like "whoa..."  After 7 innings, the score was Toy Story: 15- Nemo: 18.

The Toy Story gang fell down the “Tower of Terror”, in the eighth and ninth innings. They were shut out in the last two innings. Doerbaum added 3 more strikeouts, giving him a total of five strikeouts, in three innings. Meanwhile, the Nemo school of fish, hit like they were sharks; they added 5 more runs in the 8^th  to help Team Nemo find their way home. Final Score: Toy Story: 15- Nemo: 23.

The Disney All-Star team:

Dave Doerbaum gets to wear the mouse ears, as the top performer in today’s game. To his credit: A strong fielding play at first. 5 K’s. WP. 3 / 4 batting with 2 HRs and a walk.

Toy Story Leading Hitters:

Stier: 3 / 4.

Toro: 2/4 and a walk.

Zelazny: 3 / 4 with a HR.

Deny: 4 / 4.

Kallister: 3 / 4 with a triple.

Nemo Leading Hitters:

Coffman: 4/ 5 with a triple.

Drouilard: 4/5 with a triple and a double.

Doerbaum: 3/ 4 with 2 HRs and a walk.

Wiltshire: 4 / 4 with a HR.

Seguin: 4/ 4 with a double.

Dampier: 3 / 4.

Note: Juan Toro made two diving catches in left center field.

When You Wish Upon A Star Lyrics

When you wish upon a star

 Makes no difference who you are

 Anything your heart desires

 Will come to you

If your heart is in your dream

 No request is too extreme

 When you wish upon a star

 As dreamers do

Faith is kind

 She brings to those she loves

 The sweet fulfillment of

 Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue

 Fate steps in and sees you through

 When you wish upon a star

Your dreams come true.

Write up by Nick Matta

WINTER HAVEN / LAKELAND COMPETITION IS ON TOMORROW


Winter Haven Senior Softball has put together three teams to compete in the annual competition with Lakeland Senior Softball. The games will be tomorrow morning in Lakeland at the Westside Softball Complex. Please be at the ball park no later than 9:00 AM. Games are to begin around 9:30 AM. Winter Haven Senior Softball players will wear their Blue shirts. There will be two American League teams and one National League team. Tommy Hamilton and Joe D'Herin will take care of the American League and Larry Powell will take care of the National League. When you get to the ballpark, find one the managers and he will direct you to your field. Best of Luck to our teams from Winter Haven.


Have Fun, Be Safe.


Don Witmer, Commissioner

Friday, March 6, 2015


Step Up To The Plate And Swing Away.  

I am staying with a baseball theme to finish out this week. See if you can answer the trivia questions and be a star.

Team Zelazny, Yankees, Visitors: Vandenberg, D’Herin, Keller, Doerbaum, Stier, Levesque, Farinas, Denny, Hite, Zelazny, Davis and Wells.

Team Matta, Tigers, Home: Reagan, Dampier, Brock, Wiltshire, Drouilard, Jacobson, Constantine, Seguin, Coffman, Matta, Oesterreich and Kallister.   

Trivia 1: Match up these teams with their home fields. (Rays, Tigers, Rangers, Twins and Astros), (Tropicana Field, Minute Maid Park, Comerica Park, Target Field and Globe Life Park).

 

I can sum up the game in a few sentences. The game started out close, then one team took a huge lead, then the game ended up close. On Tuesday, 3/3, it was all defense and pitching. Today’s game, Friday, 3/6, it was a hitters game. Over 38 runners reached a base safely in today’s game, per team; that averages out to over 4 runners per inning. When looking at the score, after 8 innings of play, you would not have guessed that both teams hit so well. I can assure you that both teams had their Wheaties for breakfast. A few guys even challenged to make the Wheaties box cover, for their play.

Trivia 2: Which (5) of these MLB players listed, have appeared on the Wheaties box? (Dave Winfield, Ted Williams, Pete Rose, Nolan Ryan, Ernie Banks, Tom Seaver and Ozzie Smith).

 

The Visitors started the scoring in the top of the first inning. The big hit was a Jeff Steir homerun, hit over the left fielders head. The Home team answered back with 5 runs of their own. Reagan, Dampier, Wiltshire, Drouilard and Constantine all scored. Seguin and Coffman also had hits that inning. The two outs recorded, by Brock and Jacobson, were useful sacrifice flies. Everyone who batted that inning did their job! After 1 inning the score stood, Yankees: 3-Tigers: 5.

Trivia 3: What are the 7 ways a batter can reach first base in baseball?

 

The Yankees were shut out in the 2^nd inning but the Tigers continued to hit well. The big hits came from Matta and Kallister who doubled and tripled. The Home team scored 4 runs in the 2^nd to take a 9-3 lead.

The Tigers stayed in the game, scoring 3 times in the top of the 3^rd. Doerbaum hit a bomb over the center field fence, with two runners on base, to score the 3 runs. The Home team answered back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Constantine had a triple that sparked the Tigers that inning. After 3 innings of play the score was Yankees: 6 - Tigers: 11.

 

Trivia 4: Who is the only pitcher to win 7 consecutive World Series starts? (Bob Gibson, Whitey Ford, Dave McNally, or Jim Palmer.) 

The Tigers took over the game and kept a healthy lead until the ninth inning. They outscored the Yankees, 8-1, from the 4^th inning, through the 7^th inning. Their efforts were keyed by Mike Wiltshire hitting two home runs and Rick Brock adding a homer of his own.

In the 8^th inning, Doerbaum hit his 2^nd HR over the fence and Denny had a triple, to help the Yankees score 3 runs. Now leading 19-10, the Tigers added 5 runs in the Home team’s half of the 8th inning; it looked like they might be running up the score. They were not, as it turned out, they were protecting their lead. After 8 innings of play the score was Yankees: 10 - Tigers: 24.

 

Trivia 5: Which of these sayings are attributed to Yogi Berra?

1. “Ninety percent of hitting is mental; the other half is physical."

2. "It ain't over till it's over."

3."If fans don't want to come out to the park, nobody's going to stop them."

4. “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

5. All of the above.

The Yankees came to bat in the ninth inning with a mountain to climb, in order to win the game. They must be part mountain goat, because they almost hiked to the peak of the ridge. The Visitors scored 9 runs, on 11 hits, to make it a game. Even though they gave it a valiant effort, the comeback fell short. It was the 5 runs that the Tigers had scored in the 8^th inning, which sealed the Yankees fate. As Yogi Berra might say, “I always thought our lead would last, unless they overtook us.” Final Score: Yankees: 19 - Tigers: 24.

 

Wheaties Box Cover: Mike Wiltshire for his 5/5, with two HRs and a triple hitting and gold glove fielding.

Honorable mention: Dave Doerbaum for his two homeruns over the fence and going 4/5.

Leading hitters for the Visitors:

Vandenberg: 3 / 4. With a HR and 2 walks.

D’Herin: 3/5.

Doerbaum: 4/5. 2 HRs.

Levesque: 3/4 and a walk.

Denny: 4 /5.  With a triple.

Hite: 3/ 5.  With a triple.

Zelazny: 3/ 5.

Davis: 4 / 5.

Leading hitters for the Home team:

Dampier: 4/ 5. With a double.

Wiltshire: 5/5. Two HR’s and a triple.

Drouilard: 4/ 5. With a triple and a double.

Jacobson: 2/3. With a walk, SF and a double.

Constantine: 3/5. With a triple.

Seguin: 4/ 5. With two doubles.

Coffman: 4/5.

Matta: 3/ 5. With a double.

Kallister: 3/5. With a triple.

Trivia Answers:

1.      Rays-Tropicana Field, Tigers- Comerica Park, Twins-Target Field, Rangers- Globe Life Park, Astros-Minute Maid Park.

2.      Winfield, Rose, Williams, Smith and Ryan all have appeared on the Wheaties box. Seaver and Banks have not appeared on the box cover. Although Banks was on a Corn Flakes box cover.

3.       A hit, error, walk, hit by pitch, dropped 3^rd strike, catcher's interference and a fielder's choice will all get a batter to 1^st base.

4.      Bob Gibson came up big, in the “big game”.  He has won the 7^th game of the World Series, twice. Gibson won seven consecutive World Series games. He has pitched eight straight complete games in the Series.

5.      All of the above. “I never said most of the things I said”, Yogi Berra. 

If you went 5/5 in answering the trivia questions, you made the Wheaties box, move over Mike.

If you were 4/5, you are an all-star.

If you answered 3/5, you made the big league roster.

If you were 2/5, you bat last in the line-up.

If you only answered 1 correct, you have to spend some time in the minor leagues.

If you did not get any answers correct, you better take up knitting.

Write up by Nick Matta

WINTER HAVEN / LAKELAND COMPETITION - WEDNESDAY MARCH 11TH


The Winter Haven / Lakeland competition games scheduled for Wednesday, March 11th in Lakeland are on again. It appears that Lakeland has at least 3 teams. If you have previously signed up for the games, you do not have to do anything at this time. If you have previously signed up for the games and are not able to play next Wednesday in Lakeland, please let me know by phone, e-mail or in person. I will remove you from the list. If you would like to play in the games and have not signed up yet, the signup sheet will be available in Auburndale on Friday. Tom Hamilton and Joe D'Herin will be coordinating/managing the competition.      

Take me out to the ball game. Take me out with the crowd. 

With the start of spring training, baseball is getting in gear. I thought it might be fun to throw a little trivia into the write up while summarizing today’s game between the D’Herin/Butler team and the Matta/Davis team. Answers are at the bottom of the page.

D’Herin/ Butler, Tates, Visitors: Pepin, Hamilton, Keller, Jacobson, Levesque, Denny, Essenmacher, D’Herin, Farinas, Vandenberg, Butler and Wells.

Matta/ Davis, Tigers, Home: Coffman, Drouilard, Brock, Wiltshire, Matta, Smith, M.Gonzalez, Seguin, Dampier, Hill, JD and Deano.

There was not an easy out in either team’s line-up, so this should have been a slug fest. It was a good game, but the defense and pitching ruled the day, not the hitters. Base hits were as hard to find as hen's teeth. First Trivia question: How many MLB teams have spring training in Florida?   

It may be spring training in Florida for the MLB players, but the Senior League has been going at it, full tilt, all winter. Although some of the bats today were on spring break. JD Davis shut down the Tates through the first 4 innings. The Tigers built a strong 8 run lead during that same time frame. Gonzalez, Seguin, Dampier, Hill, Davis, Deano, Coffman and Drouilard were responsible for most of the offensive production through the first 4 innings. After 4 innings the score was Tates: 0-Tigers: 8.

 

Trivia question number 2: Can you match up these cities with the spring training teams that play in them? (Lakeland, Bradenton, Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista, Tampa, Dunedin, Clearwater and Port Charlotte). (Rays, Braves, Phillies, Pirates, Yankees, Tigers, Astros and Blue Jays).

 

Things were not looking good for the Tates; remember these were the American League champions in Winter Haven this year. Not only that, they were undefeated, they had not lost a game since Ty Cobb was in little league, or, so it seemed. The Tates were not going to go down without a fight. The 5^th, 6^th and 8^th innings were owned by the Visitors. They scored 8 runs to make it a one run game. (The Home team had scored only 1 run, since the 4^th inning). The big inning for the D’Herin/Butler team came in the 8^th. They scored 3 runs off a Denny homerun. Greg hit a ball deep into the right field corner. Levesque also drove in a run that inning. Going into the bottom of the 8^th the score was Tates: 8-Tigers: 9.

 

Trivia question #3 (2 parts, must get both correct): Which MLB team made Winter Haven their spring home until 2008 and which city did they move to in Arizona?

The Tigers did not want this game to get away from them. In the bottom of the 8^th inning the Tigers showed their claws and flashed their teeth. They scored 3 runs, to extend their small lead. Gonzalez, Seguin, Dampier and Davis all had big hits to help their team score.

After 8 innings the score was Tates: 8-Tigers:12.

 

Trivia question #4 (2 parts, must get both correct): What is the nickname for the MLB spring training league, in Florida? Likewise, what is the name for the Arizona, spring training league?

The Tates needed 4 runs to tie the game in the 9^th. The bloom was off the rose. They were shut out in the 9^th and the Tigers won the game. Final Score Tates: 8-Tigers:12.

 

Game Honors:

JD Davis: WP

Credit Josh Wells for a well-pitched game.

Angel Farinas for turning two double plays.

Dean Schapler for a nice catch in right field.

Mike Wiltshire for a nice play at shortstop.

Terry Smith for turning a double play, 3rd to home.

Greg Denny for a HR.

Visitor’s Leading Hitters:

Keller: 3 / 4.

Denny: 3/ 4.

Butler: 2 /3 and a walk.

Home Team Leading Hitters:

Drouilard: 3 / 4.

Brock: 3 / 4.

Gonzalez: 3 / 4.

Seguin: 2 / 3 and a walk.

Dampier: 3 / 4 with a double.

S. Hill: 3 / 4.

Davis: 3 / 4.

Answers:

1.    Sixteen MLB teams make their spring training home in Florida.

2.    Lakeland-Tigers, Tampa-Yankees, Clearwater-Phillies, Kissimmee-Astros, Dunedin-Blue Jays, Bradenton-Pirates, Port Charlotte-Rays and Lake Buena Vista-Braves.

3.    The Cleveland Indians moved from Winter Haven in 2008 and now make Goodyear, AZ their spring home.

4.    The Florida league is known as the Grapefruit League, the AZ league is the Cactus League.

If you have all four answers correct you hit a HR.

Three correct: Triple.

Two correct: Double.

One correct: Single.

Zero correct: You wear the goat horns.