It was Election Day, in Florida, on 3/15. We held our own softball primary in the AL, for WHSS. It was senior softball’s equivalent of Super Tuesday.

Republicans: Ford, Matta, DeRidder, Doerbaum, Stier, Burns, Alumbaugh, Gazarek, McCoughlin, Thiry and Pinnick.

Independents: Pepin, Gonzalez, Jacobson, Brock, Quinones, Zelazny, Ogden, Deemie, Benson, M.Gonzalez, Crowell and Capozzi.

Democrats: Rivera, Hicks, Denny, Held, Shirer, Guzzo, D’Hern, Parker, Essenmacher, Fox and Wells.

Just like most elections this one was highly competitive, although we did not have any name calling. No team had a clear majority, in the end, no team was to get in on the first ballot. The term limit for this game was 7 innings. The Democrats and Republicans won the most delegates,or, in this case, runs. The final score was 19-16-19.  Looks like a contested convention, although there is no need to organize a protest because we were all winners. We enjoyed the game, the humor and the exercise that comes with playing WHSS.

Leading Vote Getters:

Hicks: 5/5.

Denny: 4/5.

Held: 4/4.

D’Hern: 4/4.

Parker: 3/ 4.

Essenmacher: 3/4.

Brock: 3/4.

Quinones: 3/4.

Ogden: 2/3 and a SF.

Benson: 2/3.

M. Gonzalez: 2/2 and a SF.

Crowell: 3/3.

Doerbaum: 4/4 with a HR.

Stier: 3/ 4.

Burns: 4/4.

Alumbaugh: 2/3 and a SF.

Gazarek: 3/4.

Thiry: 3/4.

Write up by Nick Matta

Friday March 8th.

Let me start things off with a riddle. When is a win a loss and how can a loss be a win? Answer: When a team has to forfeit, the Home team decided to forfeit the game because of a lack of players before the game started. So instead, we played a relaxed game today and provided a couple of players to Team 8, so we could get a game in. Then in a tight game, Team 8 came from behind to win the game in the ninth inning. With the game tied and the bases loaded, with two outs, Tom Cappozzi, drove in the winning run, with a hit to left field.  Other big play moments came from Doug Ford who hit a HR in the gap, in right center field and from Jeff Stier who made a great over the shoulder catch, in shallow left field.

The Final Score was Team 7: 12-Team 8: 13.

WP: Ray Roy

Leading Hitters For Team 7:

Matta: 5/5.

Doerbaum: 3/3 and a SF.

DeRidder: 3/4.

Thirey: 3/4.

Pinnick: 3/4.

 

Leading Hitters For Team 8:

Coffman: 4/6.

Denny: 4/6.

Crowell: 3/5.

Busch: 3/5.

Write Up by Nick Matta

Friday March 8th.

The Rays and the Cubs played their last game of the season on Field E.

The Rays were trying for their fourth win in a row and dedicated the game to Team mate John Fulton who was sick and was celebrating his 82 birthday at home.

It was a close game all the way till the ninth inning. The Rays started off with a big 5 run inning in the first. But the Cubs were not discouraged as they scored 5 runs in the bottom of the first inning. The game went back and forth. The fifth inning The Rays scored 5 runs to take the lead, but the Cubs came right back and scored 6 runs to tie the game at 13-13.The Cubs scored 4 runs in the sixth inning to take the lead by 3. In the eight inning the Rays retook the lead by scoring 5 runs.

In the ninth inning the Rays didn't score any runs but were ahead by 3 runs. The Cubs tried to come back but only were able to score one run leaving the bases full when the third out was made. Final Score: Rays 21-Cubs 19.

Mike Wheeler made several good catches at critical times playing right field for the Rays; and Gary Turpin pulled a muscle running to first base in the third inning but was still able to get two hits with the help of a courtesy runner.

Cubs Manager Don Lemay hitters were:

Ron Thompson 3-3 two walks

Jimmy Laffoon 2-3 two walks

Walt Leggett 3-5 one double

Arvil Waddell 3-5

Gene Baker 3-5

Rays  Manager Larry Powell hitters were:

Fern Borrelli 4-5 3 doubles

Richie Marino 4-5

Jerry Remington 4-5 one double

Donnie Torok 3-5 two doubles

Harlan Lautenschlager 4-5 3 doubles

Gary Turpin 2-4

Bob Hite 4-4 one double

Submitted by Larry Powell

Friday March 8th.

Great game between Freddies Amigos and D'Herin's Motowners.  Amigos were ahead 10 - 1 after 4 innings.  Motown got running with 20 runs the next 5 innings and held on to win 21 to 20. Numerous defensive gems and a lot of clutch hitting from both teams.  Great game guys!!!!  

Leading Hitters

F. Gonzalez 3-6

Witmer 4-6

Jacobson 1-4  2( Sac Flys)

Brock 5-6

Quinones 6-6

Pepin 4-6

Benson 4-6

Hicks 5-6

Hamilton 3-5

Held 3-4

Essenmacher 3-6

Guzzo  2-3

D'Herin 3-6

Reponen 5-6

Negrin 4-6

Wells 3-5  Winning pitcher

Congratulations to Nick, Freddy, and my team for being co-champions in the American League this year.  All 3 teams finished 9 wins and 6 losses.

Write Up by Joe D'Herin

Friday, March 8th.
On the final day of the season on field D in the National League, Jeff Simon's team played Elmer Black's squad.  Simon's team jumped out to a five run lead in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back.  The final score was 16-9 with Simon's team getting the win.  Elmer's  team was  held in check by fine defensive plays led by Butler and Vandenburg in the infield.  For Elmer's team the top defensive play was recorded by Herbie O  making a fine  running grab in right center on a fly ball hit by Jeff Simon.  Top  batters for the visitors: Sam Lopez 3-4, Ridley 3-4, Mohan 3-4, LaPointe 3-4.  Leading batters for the home team:  Simon 3-4, Butler 3-4 HR, Vandenburg 3-4, Duff Hill 3-4 HR, Bowley 3-4, and LoPiccolo  was the WP.  Submitted by Jeff Simon

HALL OF FAME DINNER - WEDNESDAY MARCH 16th


We had a great response for the Hall of Fame Dinner scheduled for next Wednesday at the Sandpiper Golf and Country Club Recreation Center. We expect to have 102 ball players, spouses and friends attend this great event to honor our new Hall of Fame members. The Recreation Center does not have an open bar for you to purchase beverages for the social hour. The Recreation Center does not have a problem with individuals bringing beverages of their choice for their personal consumption (BYOB). Their will be tea and coffee served with the meal. If you would like to bring a cooler with your choice of beverage to drink, please do so.


We have been told there is limited parking available at the Recreation Center. If it is possible for you to carpool with your best friend or friends, please do so. It will make it easier for everyone.


The address for the Recreation Center is 5949 Grouse Drive, Lakeland. The phone number for the Recreation Center is 863.859.3631. The Social Hour is from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. The banquet begins at 6:30 PM. The directions to the Recreation Center are printed on the back of your ticket.
Don't forget to bring your ticket to get in the door.


Look forward to seeing you there.


Don Witmer,  WHSS Commissioner

TUESDAY MARCH 8 - FIELD B

We have quite a few Big 10 fans represented on both teams today, (3/8). Held, (Wisconsin), Matta, (Penn State), Doerbaum, Stier, Pinnick, Essenmacher, (Ohio State), Hicks, (Indiana), Hamilton, Guzzo, D’Herin, Gazarek, Ford, Seguin, (Michigan), Burns, Thirey, (Michigan State). If I forgot someone, or miss labeled you as a fan, please forgive me. Because of the strong allegiance to two of the Big 10 powerhouses, the write up will center on Ohio State vs. Michigan.

Visitors, Buckeyes: Ford, Gazarek, Stier, Doerbaum, Seguin, Matta, DeRidder, Burns, Thirey and Pinnick.

Home, Wolverines:  Hicks, Hamilton, Held, Farinas, Essenmacher, Guzzo, D’Herin, Negrin, Reponen, Fox and Wells.

The OSU-Michigan rivalry is one of the all time classics in sports history. The rivalry started in 1897 and the two schools have competed, in football, every year since 1918. Michigan has 11 national titles, OSU has won 8. Michigan’s all time record 925 W–331L–36T, Ohio State’s all time record, 875 W-320 L- 53T. Michigan has produced 3 Heisman trophy winners, Ohio State has 7 winners.

The game today did not take place on the grid iron, although we had a few gritty moments. We did not play at the Horseshoe, or the Big House, the action took place at the DiamondPlex. The action was one sided, as The Buckeyes scored 22 runs, while the Wolverines only pushed 7 across the plate. Oddly enough, a few weeks ago these two teams had a polar opposite game, where the Wolverines won by a score of 22-8 over the Buckeyes. Just goes to show you anything can happen when two good teams take the field.

WP: Doerbaum

Leading Hitters For The Buckeyes:

Ford: 4/6.

Stier: 4/6 with a double.

Doerbaum: 5/5, with 2 walks and a double.

Seguin: 4/5.

Matta: 4/5.

DeRidder: 4/5.

Burns: 3/5 with a double.

Thirey: 3/5 with a double.

Leading Hitters For The Wolverines:

Hamilton: 3/5.

Held: 4/4.

Essenmacher: 3/4 with a walk.

Negrin: 3/4.

Reponen: 4/4 with a walk.

Write up by Nick Matta