Tuesday, April 25th
On Field C, Larry Strait and Bob Hite managed the two teams to a one run game that was won in the bottom of the ninth inning.  Strait's team was up by 10 in the 7th but Hite's team scored 8 in the 8th and won it in the 9th 21-20.


On Field D, Tommy Hamilton and Les Jacobson managed the two teams that also had a one run finish in the bottom of the ninth. Hamilton went ahead in the top of the ninth only to have Ray Aufiero hit a booming fly ball to left field to score the winning run from first base.


Write up by Loren Fabian and Don Witmer

Friday, April 21st.

What a fantastic double header between the best of the best from these 2 wonderful senior softball clubs. First I must say the commraderie and sportsmanship was fantastic. Actually off the charts. When the second game was done, the hand shake line was the longest I have ever seen in my 5 years of this. All were involved and also many hugs. All umpire decisions were honored without question and there were many bang, bang plays. Congratulations to both teams. 

Speaking of umpiring, the home plate and only umpire nearly got wiped out 3 times. First time was when Smashers shortstop Jack Bonura uncorked a relay to the plate which was a bit off line up the first base line and kept screw balling about 5 ft. as the  ump tried to get out of the way. The fans said that Smashers catcher Bo Miller snagged it right before thumping the ump. The umpire also had to quickly duck 2 intense foul tips, but he survived. 

On to the games. First one was won by Winter Have 18-17 even though they tried to hand it to Solivita in the bottom of the open inning. Solivita scored 15 runs in the first 5 innings and were up 15-8. BUT, Winter Haven scored 7 in the 6th to tie it and then 3 more in the 7th and hang on for the squeaky victory in spite of 4 home runs by the Smashers. 2 over the wall by Bo Miller, another by Chris Varrone which nearly reached the cart path beyond right field. The 4th was in the park by speedy Jack Bonura. 

Box score. Smashers,  Brown 0-4, Bonura 3-4 HR, C. Varrone 2-4 HR, Johns 2-2, Miller 2-3 both HRs, Tom Mc 1-3, Beck 2-3, Dan Brown 1-3, Francisco 1-3, Kelly 2-2 w/BB, Renwick 1-3, Keller 2-3,Good 2-3.   Also, there were so many good plays by both sides I could not record them all as I was the umpire trying to stay alive. HA!!!

Second game is why I came up with Solivita's name Smashers as they sprayed the ball everywhere, scoring in every inning, 3 of them where they out up nickels for a final of 21-9. Defensive play of the day was when Solivita pitcher Lenny Ike , scooted toward  third base and barely snagged a weak pop fly and was going to the ground, when third baseman Keith Beck caught him and kept him upright. Keith was told HE made the catch of the day and should be awarded the game ball. Great catch, both of you. 

Box score Smashers. Kelly 4-4, Bonura 3-4, Varrone 2-3, Johns 2-4, Miller 3-4, Beck 2-4, B. Brown 3-4, Tom Mc 3-4, D. Brown 2-4, Francisco 2-4, Keller 2-3, Ike 2-2 w/bb, Morin 2-3. 

Box score 1st game for Winter Haven. Rivera 3-4, Hamilton 4-4, Rad P 3-4, Jacobson 3-3, Matta 1-4 and WP, Guzzo 2-2, Witmer 2-3, Pepin 2-3, D'Herin 2-3, JD starting pitcher and BB, Lopez 1-2 BB, Torres 1-3, Castillo 2-3. 

2nd game. Rivera 2-3, Hamilton 3-4, Jacobson 2-3, Matta 2-3, Guzzo 3-3, D'Herin 2-3, JD 2-3. 

I don't know how to end this longest write up I have ever done other than I wish I could remember some of the great defensive plays made but I was the umpire trying to stay alive. There might have been close to 100 or more FANS IN THE STANDS. 

FANTASTIC TIME EVERYONE.  Especially if you enjoy softball. 

Write up by Loren Fabian. 

Tuesday, April 18th

A National League contest between Powell's Powers and Fabian's Flyers ended up 21-8 in favor of the Flyers in a flip flop game. I wear flip flops almost all the time. 

The play of the game was made by none other than Lee Baker behind the plate on a weak pop foul which he caught up with nearly saying hello to the fence. Nice catch Lee. 

Power's hitters.    S. Hill. 3-4,  Bess. 3-4,  Morton. 3-4,  Lopez. 4-4,  Schafer. 3-4,  Marino. 3-4. 

Flyer's hitters.       Dampier. 4-5 w/HR. Laffoon. 4-5,  Schapeler. 3-5,  Aufiero. 3-5,  Lopiccolo. 2-4 w/3b

                             Joe L.  3-4,  Parker. 3-4. 

Y'all have a great game Friday. I'm going to watch and umpire the American League game against the Solivita ball club which is a double header starting around 11:00 AM. 

Write up by Loren Fabian

Tuesday, April 18th

Good game between 2 good teams was played on field D.  Hamilton's team jumped out to a 7-3 lead after 2 innings.  JD's boys responded with 10 runs in the 3rd and 4th innings to take a 13-7 lead.  Hammers guys would not quit ,making the score 14-12 JD's team.  6 runs in the 7th and 8th innings gave JD's squad 20 runs and Tommy's boys could only tally 5 runs making the final score 20-17 in favor of JD.  Lots of hits and good plays.  Good game guys.

JD's Team

Pepin 3-5

Rad 3-5

Shirer 4-5

Wolfe 4-4

JD 4-4

Reagen 3-4

Smith 3-4

D'Herin 4-4

Capozzi 2-4

Wells 2-4

Hamilton's Team

Rivera 4-5

Hamilton 5-5

Jacobson 3-5

Witmer 2-4

Crowell 3-4

Reponen 3-4

Book 3-4
Write Up By Joe D'Herin

Straits Sliders beat Fabe's Flyers today 19-12 in a see saw game till the 7th inning. It was fun. Fabian didn't have much for hitting but here they are. Junior Ortiz 3-4, Arvell Waddell, 3-3 and Thompson 2-4. Top of the order for Strait was amazing and did win the ball game. Boswell 4-5 HR. Dampier 4-5. Laffoon 5-5 as usual. Joe L. 4-5 and Sam Lopez 4-5. Then it went down to Gene Baker who was 2-4. I think he's getting younger. 

Larry Strait had so many pop catches at 2nd base i couldn't keep track and Johnny Merritt caught one in RF running to the foul line in the last inning. Way to go Johnny. 

Maybe not the best play of the game but strangest I have ever seen, was Junior Ortiz playing 2nd base and Fabian playing middle. A liner was hit between them and both got gloves up for it. Junior backhand and Fabian the other way. They both thought they had caught it or not. After looking around on the ground and in gloves discovered it was in Fabians glove. That was great. It wasn't on the ground so we figured one of us must have it. JUST ONE OUT. 

Write up by Loren Fabian

Games are on for tomorrow, Friday April 14th. Be there no later than 8:30 AM. Games will begin as soon after 9:00 AM as possible.


Thanks.


Don Witmer

REMINDER     REMINDER     REMINDER     REMINDER


THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DECIDED TO START SUMMER HOURS TOMORROW. THE GAME TIME HAS BEEN CHANGED TO 9:00 AM. BE THERE NO LATER THAN 8:30 AM TO SIGN IN AND BEGIN WARMUPS.


THANKS.


Don Witmer, Commisssioner