February 3rd - The weather reports indicated a high of 76° with a 30% chance of rain between noon and 1:00 PM. However, that wasn't the case this morning. It was
dark & gloomy by game time with huge rainclouds overhead & only slightly south of the ballpark. There was no wind at the time. About 30 minutes after the games began, the winds picked up & the air became cool. Shortly afterwards, the sky dropped a massive amount of rain on the fields, flooding all the diamonds.
Merrill Lynch Orange & Premier Mortgage Turquoise were deadlocked 9-9 after 3 complete innings of play. Ken Wilson blasted a two run homerun in the 1st inning for the Premier Mortgage Turquoise. Merrill Lynch Orange battled back with 6 runs in the third inning to tie the score before the rain halted the game.
American Legion Post 8 Gold was ahead 13-9 against Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal after three innings. Eleven of the 13 batters in the American Legion Post 8 Gold lineup crossed the plate to score, so the hits were spread throughout the batting order. Jerry Noble connected for a homerun for Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal in the second inning after his team gathered 5 runs in the first with no outs.
Center State Bank Black & Beef O'Bradys Kelly were tied 3-3 after four innings. Don Erb slammed a two run homerun in the first frame. Consecutive hits by Center State Bank Black players Fred Dampier, Elmer Wilcox, & Dick Wilhelm resulted in the three runs in the opening frame of the game.
In other news, Jack Valliere stepped down as manager of American Legion Post 8 Gold & was replaced with Ray DePalma.
Bill Ayer returned from Windham, Connecticut to join the pool players & participate in his first season game this year. Welcome back Bill.
February 7th - Beef O'Bradys Kelly player Don Erb had a tremendous day at the plate today as he cranked 4 homers in as many at bats. Even with that output, Beef O'Bradys Kelly dropped out of 1st place with a loss to American Legion Post 8 Gold.
First place team Merrill Lynch Orange continued their winning ways with a victory over Center State Bank Black. Russ King lead the charge by hitting for the cycle.
Premier Mortgage Turquoise won their game against Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal despite a 9 run inning by the losing team. All 12 batters came to the plate in the 6th inning as Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal tied the game at that point. Morris Rosenhack, catcher for Premier Mortgage Turquoise, received 4 free passes today & leads the league in walks with 10.
| Merrill Lynch Orange | 31 | Center State Bank Black | 14 | |
| Premier Mortgage Turquoise | 33 | Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal | 26 | |
| American Legion Post 8 Gold | 21 | Beef O'Bradys Kelly | 20 |
LEADING HITTERS:
Merrill Lynch Orange
Russ King - 5 for 5 and hit for cycle with 2 triples & 1 sacrifice fly.
Bill Rutan - 4 for 5 with 1 triple.
Jerry Witter - 4 for 5 with 1 walk.
Ron Thompson - 3 for 4 with 1 double, 1 homer, & 1 walk.
George Summers - 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 walk.
Center State Bank Black
Bob Lundquest - 4 for 4.
Fred Dampier - 3 for 4 with 2 doubles & 1 sacrifice fly.
Premier Mortgage Turquoise
Bill Evans - 5 for 5 with 2 doubles.
Ken Wilson - 4 for 4 with 1 triple & 1 walk.
Bill Ravo - 4 for 4.
Bart Gongaware - 3 for 3 with 2 walks.
Randy Lane - 3 for 4 with 2 walks.
Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal
Bernie Peterson - 4 for 5 with 1 homer.
Jerry Noble - 4 for 5.
Bill Ayer - 3 for 4 with 1 homer.
American Legion Post 8 Gold
Doug McLellan - 4 for 4 with 1 homer.
Jim Bright - 4 for 4.
Ernie Lancto - 3 for 4 with 1 double.
Beef O'Bradys Kelly
Don Erb - 4 for 4 with 4 homers.
John Ormsby - 3 for 3 with 1 homer & 1 walk.
Rusty Landahl - 3 for 4.
Ed Schmiedeke - 3 for 4.
February 10th - Beef O'Bradys Kelly lead from the beginning of play with 3 runs in the 1st inning & topped Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal 17-5. Bernie Peterson was one bright spot for the defeated team as he went 4 for 4, including a double.
The first four batters in the lineup for Center State Bank Black each had a 5 for 6 day, collecting 6 doubles, 1 triple, & 2 homers amongst them as the team defeated Premier Mortgage Turquoise today. The leadoff hitter, Vic Platania, hit for the cycle. Dick Wilhelm & Elmer Wilcox shared the pitching duties for the winning team as Elmer recorded his first win of the season. Rich Palmer was on the mound in his team's losing effort.
Merrill Lynch Orange won their game with ease against American Legion Post 8 Gold. Hugh Lessard lead his team with a 5 for 5 performance, including 3 doubles & 1 homer for the winning team. American Legion Post 8 Gold manager Ray DePalma went 4 for 4 and scored 2 of his team's five runs.
| Beef O'Bradys Kelly | 17 | Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal | 5 | |
| Center State Bank Black | 26 | Premier Mortgage Turquoise | 16 | |
| Merrill Lynch Orange | 21 | American Legion Post 8 Gold | 5 |
LEADING HITTERS:
Beef O'Bradys Kelly
Shannon Steinmetz - 3 for 4 with 1 triple.
Bob Lewis - 3 for 4 with 1 walk.
Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal
Bernie Peterson - 4 for 4 with 1 double.
Center State Bank Black
Bill Ayer - 5 for 5 with 1 double.
Vic Platania - 5 for 6 and hit for cycle.
Fred Dampier - 5 for 6 with 4 doubles.
Denny Shaffer - 5 for 6 with 1 homer.
Ron Cerotzke - 5 for 6 with 1 double.
Premier Mortgage Turquoise
Frank Miller - 4 for 5 with 1 triple.
Bill Evans - 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 walk.
Randy Lane - 3 for 4 with 1 sacrifice fly.
Merrill Lynch Orange
Hugh Lessard - 5 for 5 with 3 doubles & 1 homer.
Wes Wilder - 3 for 3 with 3 doubles & 1 walk.
Joel Freedman - 4 for 5.
American Legion Post 8 Gold
Ray DePalma - 4 for 4.
February 14th - The game between 1st place team Merrill Lynch Orange & 2nd place team Beef O'Bradys Kelly was all tied 17-17 after the completion of 8 innings. John Ormsby scored for Beef O'Bradys Kelly on a two out hit by Harold Turner in the top of the final frame.
In the bottom of the 9th inning, Hugh Lessard sealed the win for Merrill Lynch Orange with a three run homer. Russ King & Ron Thompson lead off with back-to-back singles prior to the dinger.
Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal had a nice hitting day as they easily topped Center State Bank Black 27-10. The game was never in doubt as Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal racked up three 4 run innings & two 5 run innings to begin the game. Chris Constantine hit 2 homers in the game and was perfect at the plate, going 5 for 5.
The 4th, 5th & 6th batters for Premier Mortgage Turquoise, Jerry Remington, Bill Evans, & Ken Wilson went a collective 18 for 18 today as their team beat American Legion Post 8 Gold. John Fulton also contributed with a 6 for 6 effort & connected for 3 homers.
A former player in the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club rejoined today. Ed Lane resides in Kansas City, Missouri during the summer months. Today, he played with American Legion Post 8 Gold & hit a triple in his very first at bat in the league.
Earl Hawthorne dropped by the ballpark & visited with old friends & fellow ballplayers. Earl played with the Purple team last year. Come to the park anytime, Earl & welcome back, Ed.
The Winter Haven Senior Softball Club & the Lakeland Senior Softball Club will compete in the 2nd annual softball competition on Wednesday, March 1st at the Southwest Complex in Lakeland & on March 8th on Field C at the Winter Haven DiamondPlex. The Winter Haven teams were compiled in a draft today involving team managers Joel Freedman, Fred Dampier, & Dick Wilhelm.
Elmer Black created a team from Canada & challenged Fred Dampier to organize a United States team. The game will be take place on Field C at the DiamondPlex tomorrow with the start time of 9:00 AM. Come out & support your country & cheer your fellow softball players on to victory.
| Merrill Lynch Orange | 28 | Beef O'Bradys Kelly | 18 | |
| Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal | 27 | Center State Bank Black | 10 | |
| Premier Mortgage Turquoise | 34 | American Legion Post 8 Gold | 19 |
LEADING HITTERS:
Merrill Lynch Orange
Russ King - 5 for 5 with 1 triple.
Ron Thompson - 5 for 5 with 1 triple.
Jerry Witter - 5 for 5.
Don LaMay - 4 for 5 with 1 triple.
Hugh Lessard - 4 for 5 with 1 double & 1 homer.
Ray Petrie - 4 for 5.
Beef O'Bradys Kelly
Bob Lewis - 4 for 5.
Bob Douglas - 3 for 4.
Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal
Chris Constantine - 5 for 5 with 2 homers.
Herb Oesterreich - 4 for 5 with 1 triple.
Ron Carrothers - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
Center State Bank Black
Ron Augenstein - 4 for 4.
Fred Dampier - 4 for 5 with 3 doubles & 1 homer.
Premier Mortgage Turquoise
John Fulton - 6 for 6 with 3 homers.
Jerry Remington - 6 for 6 with 2 doubles & 1 triple.
Ken Wilson - 6 for 6 with 1 homer.
Bill Evans - 6 for 6 with 1 triple.
Frank Miller - 5 for 6.
Reg Barnes - 4 for 5 with 1 homer.
American Legion Post 8 Gold
Wes Wilder - 4 for 4.
Ray DePalma - 4 for 5 with 2 triples.
Larry Williamson - 4 for 5 with 1 double & 1 triple.
Ken King - 3 for 4 with 1 walk.
Bill Ayer - 3 for 4.
February 15th - Team Canada, managed by Elmer Black was pitted against Team USA, managed by Fred Dampier. The game was tied after 9 innings of play & the managers agreed to play until there was a winner. Read about the game HERE.
February 17th - The weather finally warmed up today as the high is forecasted to reach 82° F. The game was a comfortable 72° F when the games began & gradually warmed up near 80° F when the games were complete.
On Fred White Field, Center State Bank Black tied the game in the 6th inning with 6 runs on hits & walks, took the lead in the 8th with 5 runs with no outs & scored 3 more in the final frame to top American Legion Post 8 Gold. Ray DePalma & Ron Augenstein each blasted homers for American Legion Post 8 Gold.
Premier Mortgage Turquoise scored 5 runs in each of the final three innings to seal the victory against Beef O'Bradys Kelly. Homers by John Fulton, Frank Miller, & Ken Wilson accounted for all five runs in the 7th inning. Beef O'Bradys Kelly player Don Erb connected for a homer as he was perfect at the plate with a 4 for 4 performance. Don scored 4 of his team's 15 runs.
Premier Mortgage Turquoise pitcher Rich Palmer had an excellent game on the mound as he held Beef O'Bradys Kelly scoreless in 4 innings, including the final two frames, to record the win.
After the completion of regulation play, Merrill Lynch Orange & Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal were knotted up at 25. In the 10th inning, Merrill Lynch Orange scored 2 runs on hits by John Paye & Jerry Witter, who connected for his 6th single in 6 at bats.
Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal battled back from an early 11-3 deficit to keep the game close in the latter innings. Pitcher Ted Granoski hit a two run homer to bring his team within 2 runs in the 5th inning. A 5 run 6th inning gave Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal the lead for the first time in the game.
| Center State Bank Black | 27 | American Legion Post 8 Gold | 21 | |
| Premier Mortgage Turquoise | 25 | Beef O'Bradys Kelly | 15 | |
| Merrill Lynch Orange | 27 | Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal | 25 | |
LEADING HITTERS:
Center State Bank Black
Fred Dampier - 5 for 5 with 2 doubles, 1 homer, & 1 walk.
Ed Lane - 5 for 5.
Bill Cook - 4 for 4 with 1 sacrifice fly.
Denny Shaffer - 4 for 5 with 1 double, 1 triple, & 1 walk.
Elmer Wilcox - 4 for 5 with 1 triple & 1 walk.
Bob Martin - 3 for 4 with 2 walks.
Jim McPartlan - 3 for 4 with 2 walks.
American Legion Post 8 Gold
Ron Augenstein - 4 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 walk.
Jim Bright - 5 for 5.
Jack Valliere - 4 for 5 with 1 double & 2 triples.
Larry Williamson - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
Rick DeYoung - 3 for 4 with 1 walk.
Premier Mortgage Turquoise
Bill Ravo - 3 for 3 with 1 walk.
Dick Wachter - 2 for 2 with 2 walks.
Bill Evans - 3 for 4 with 2 doubles & 1 homer.
Ken Wilson - 3 for 4 with 1 homer.
Frank Miller - 3 for 4 with 1 homer.
Jose Agosto - 3 for 4 with 1 walk.
Beef O'Bradys Kelly
Don Erb - 4 for 4 with 1 homer.
Harold Turner - 4 for 4 with 1 triple.
Shannon Steinmetz - 3 for 4.
Erv Szewczuga - 3 for 4.
Merrill Lynch Orange
Jerry Witter - 6 for 6.
John Zimny - 5 for 5 with 2 doubles.
Ray Petrie - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
Ron Thompson - 3 for 4 with 2 doubles.
Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal
Joe DeForge - 2 for 2 with 3 walks.
Ron Carrothers - 5 for 6.
February 21st - The outfield grass remained moist throughout the games today due to high humidity. Although the atmosphere was damp, the temperature reached around 76° F before the games were complete.
All three games were exciting to watch as all were decided in the bottom of the 9th inning. With two outs, American Legion Post 8 Gold scored 4 of the 5 runs needed needed to defeat Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal. Six straight hits were reeled off, and Art Zakrowski received the honors of having driven in the winning run.
Merrill Lynch Orange tied the game in the 8th inning but failed to muster a run in the final frame as they were handed only their 3rd loss of the entire season. Premier Mortgage Turquoise needed only four batters in the bottom of the 9th, because each hitter connected for a single. Jerry Remington drove in the winning run with his 4th straight hit of the day.
Beef O'Bradys Kelly defeated Center State Bank Black with a 2 out hit by Bob Lewis. Floyd Welton contributed with 2 homers for the winning team while Ron Augenstein & Vic Platania each hit 2 homers in the losing effort.
| American Legion Post 8 Gold | 18 | Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal | 17 | |
| Premier Mortgage Turquoise | 6 | Merrill Lynch Orange | 5 | |
| Beef O'Bradys Kelly | 17 | Center State Bank Black | 16 |
LEADING HITTERS:
American Legion Post 8 Gold
Doug McLellan - 4 for 5 with 1 double & 1 triple.
Ken King - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
Art Zakrowski - 4 for 5.
Jack Valliere - 3 for 4.
Ernie Lancto - 3 for 4.
Dick Erickson - 3 for 4.
Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal
Vassurl Bess - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
Ted Taylor - 3 for 4.
Gene Morey - 3 for 4.
Premier Mortgage Turquoise
Frank Miller - 4 for 4 with 1 double.
Jerry Remington - 4 for 4 with 1 double.
Bill Ravo - 3 for 3 with 1 double.
Merrill Lynch Orange
Ray Petrie - 4 for 4.
Beef O'Bradys Kelly
Floyd Welton - 3 for 4 with 2 homers.
Don Erb - 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 triple.
Bob Douglas - 3 for 4.
Center State Bank Black
Elmer Wilcox - 5 for 5.
Ron Augenstein - 4 for 4 with 1 triple, 2 homers, & 1 walk.
Dick Wilhelm - 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 walk.
Ron Cerotzke - 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 walk.
February 24th - Premier Mortgage Turquoise scored 4 in the 1st inning & lead throughout the game as they handily defeated Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal. Leadoff hitter Reg Barnes went 4 for 5 while second batter Randy Lane scored 4 times.
American Legion Post 8 Gold pitcher Ernie Lancto shutdown the powerful Beef O'Bradys Kelly team 7 of the 9 innings of play as American Legion Post 8 Gold won their game today.
Merrill Lynch Orange won their abbreviated game against Center State Bank Black in a 7 inning contest. Center State Bank Black manager Elmer Black threw in the towel in the 7th. We all come out to the ballpark for exercise so let's not quit the game when we are losing guys! There was not an insurmountable lead in this game. Just my opinion & enough said.
| Premier Mortgage Turquoise | 23 | Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal | 9 | |
| American Legion Post 8 Gold | 9 | Beef O'Bradys Kelly | 3 | |
| Merrill Lynch Orange | 20 | Center State Bank Black | 7 |
LEADING HITTERS:
Premier Mortgage Turquoise
Reg Barnes - 4 for 5.
Mike Swartz - 4 for 4.
Bill Ravo - 4 for 5.
Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal
Chris Constantine - 4 for 4 with 1 double & 1 homer.
Bernie Peterson - 3 for 4 with 1 triple.
Vassurl Bess - 3 for 4.
American Legion Post 8 Gold
Ernie Lancto - 3 for 3.
Dick Mackey - 3 for 3.
Larry Williamson - 3 for 4.
Beef O'Bradys Kelly
Ed Schmiedeke - 3 for 3.
Merrill Lynch Orange
Bill Ayer - 3 for 3.
Russ King - 3 for 4 with 1 double.
Don LaMay - 3 for 4.
Ray Petrie - 3 for 4.
John Zimny - 3 for 4.
Center State Bank Black
Jack Donnelly - 2 for 2 with 1 walk.
Elmer Black - 3 for 4.
February 28th - Premier Mortgage Turquoise & Center State Bank Black battled tooth & nail the complete game as the lead changed numerous times. A five run rally in the 8th inning by Premier Mortgage Turquoise & three more runs in the 9th inning proved to be the factor for defeat for Center State Bank Black.
Merrill Lynch Orange continued their winning ways with a victory over American Legion Post 8 Gold. Don LaMay, Ron Thompson, John Zimny, & Bill Rutan all powered homers in the game for the winning team. American Legion Post 8 Gold leadoff hitter Ken King went a perfect 5 for 5.
Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal rung up an impressive victory over Beef O'Bradys Kelly. Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal took charge of the game with a five run 4th inning. Beef O'Bradys Kelly made a gallant comeback effort by scoring six runs in the final frame but still fell short.
The second annual competition between the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club & the Lakeland Senior Softball Club will begin tomorrow in at the Southwest Complex in Lakeland. There will be three games comprised of three teams each from Winter Haven & Lakeland. The competition will take place on two Wednesdays, with the second round taking place at the DiamondPlex in Winter Haven on March 8th.
| Premier Mortgage Turquoise | 30 | Center State Bank Black | 26 | |
| Merrill Lynch Orange | 26 | American Legion Post 8 Gold | 17 | |
| Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal | 18 | Beef O'Bradys Kelly | 16 |
LEADING HITTERS:
Premier Mortgage Turquoise
Ken Wilson - 6 for 6 with 1 double & 1 triple.
Bill Evans - 5 for 6 with 2 doubles & 1 triple.
Jerry Remington - 5 for 6 with 2 doubles.
John Fulton - 5 for 6.
Center State Bank Black
Fred Ducham - 5 for 5.
Elmer Black - 4 for 4 with 1 double, 1 homer & 1 walk.
Bill Ayer - 4 for 4 with 1 triple.
Fred Dampier - 4 for 5 with 1 triple & 2 homers.
Ron Cerotzke - 4 for 5.
Denny Shaffer - 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 walk.
Dick Wilhelm - 3 for 4 with 1 walk.
Jack Donnelly - 3 for 4.
Merrill Lynch Orange
Ron Thompson - 4 for 4 with 3 doubles & 1 homer.
John Zimny - 4 for 4 with 1 homer.
Russ King - 4 for 4 with 1 double.
Don LaMay - 4 for 5 with 1 homer.
Ray Petrie - 3 for 4 with 1 triple.
Ed Lane - 3 for 4 with 1 triple.
American Legion Post 8 Gold
Ken King - 5 for 5 with 1 triple.
Doug McLellan - 4 for 5 with 1 double & 1 triple.
Ernie Lancto - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
Ray DePalma - 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 walk.
Dick Erickson - 3 for 4.
Jarrett-Gordon Ford Royal
Bernie Peterson - 4 for 4 with 1 double & 2 homers.
Ted Granoski - 3 for 4 with 1 triple.
Herb Oesterreich - 3 for 4 with 1 triple.
Ted Taylor - 3 for 4.
Ed Neumyer - 3 for 4.
Beef O'Bradys Kelly
Don Erb - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
