January 2008 News Archive
 January 1st, 2008
  January 3rd - The games tomorrow will be set up so the teams can play one practice game before the season begins. It would be nice if the team shirts could be worn for the game tomorrow but it isn't necessary, since many team shirts haven't been distributed yet.
Be sure to dress warm and layer your clothes. The weather will start out a bit on the cool side due to the blowing wind. The temperature is predicted to be 43° F with a 10-20 MPH NE wind at 6AM. It should be warmed up in the low 50s at game time and the high is expected to reach 67° F. The following is a list of first year players for the season:
Good luck, rookies. Hope you enjoy the season. January 4th - Today marked the only "Spring Training" game for the teams. Each group was given a chance to play together as an organized team before the season starts on the next play date.
The cold weather kept several players away from the old ball field. The two teams that were supposed to play on Field D, the WH Dodgers Navy and Trustco Bank Purple, combined with the players from Field E, the Merrill Lynch Gray team and Elvis' HounDawgs Red, for a three team game. The fewest players were from Elvis' HounDawgs Red so that team was split between the three remaining teams. Riverside Bank Black took on Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold at Fred White Field and Polk Therapy Green played against Jarrett Gordon Blue on Field B. Fred Dampier hit a home run over the left centerfield fence on Field E this morning. Inside-the-park homers were accomplished by Al Andrews, Jim Laffoon, Denny Shaffer, Don Bercaw, Don Witmer, and Freddy Gonzalez.
LEADING HITTERS: Jarrett Gordon Blue Al Andrews - 6 for 7 with 1 homer & 1 double. Polk Therapy Green Randy Lane - 4 for 4 with 1 walk. Doug Graham - 6 for 7 with 1 triple & 1 double. Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold Ed Lupiani - 6 for 8 with 1 triple & 1 double. Ron Thompson - 6 for 8 with 1 double. Ed Kline - 6 for 8. Trustco Bank Purple John Ormsby - 5 for 5. Bill Ravo - 5 for 5. Floyd Welton - 4 for 4. Ron Augenstein - 3 for 3 with 1 walk. Danny Parker - 3 for 4 with 1 walk. WH Dodgers Navy Russ King - 4 for 4 with 1 double. Merrill Lynch Gray Fred Dampier - 4 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 triple. Rusty Landahl - 4 for 4. Elmer Black - 3 for 4 with 1 triple. With the season only one game away, several players returned from their summer homes. Jim Margolin from Monroe Twp, New Jersey; Harvey Rennie from London, Ontario, Canada; Larry Williamson from Swartz Creek, Michigan; Doug Graham from Lima, Ohio; Vic Platania from Alton Bay, New Hampshire; Ed Guspyt from Port Washington, Ohio; and Ray DePalma returned from Rochester, New York. Welcome back, Jim, Harvey, Larry, Doug, Vic, Ed, and Ray. Bill McEllister officially joined the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club today after being referred by John Ormsby while in Canada. Welcome aboard, Bill. January 8th - The 2008 Winter Haven Senior Softball Club season kicked off this morning to some very comfortable weather. The high today is expected to reach a comfortable 78° F.
Two games were decided by one run and the score on both games were 20-19 but it took the WH Dodgers Navy 10 innings to win their game. Bill Spring had an eagle eye at the plate this morning as he drew four walks in five trips to the plate. Don Witmer lead the pack of players to hit inside-the-park homers today. Don hit two dingers while the following players hit one: Chris Constantine, Ray DePalma, John Fulton, Tim Gallagher, Freddy Gonzalez, & Jerry Noble. Fred Dampier hit an inside-the-park grand slam.
LEADING HITTERS: Elvis' HounDawgs Red Elmer Black - 4 for 5. Chuck Duff - 4 for 5. Jaime Rivera - 4 for 5. Elvis Abney - 3 for 4. John Smith - 3 for 4. Jarrett Gordon Blue Fred Ducham - 3 for 3. Jim Laffoon - 3 for 3. Trustco Bank Purple Floyd Welton - 5 for 5 with 1 triple. Dick Mahon - 4 for 5 with 2 doubles. John Abramo - 4 for 5. Ron Augenstein - 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 walk. Merrill Lynch Gray Chris Constantine - 4 for 5 with 2 doubles & 1 homer. Bill McEllister - 4 for 5. WH Dodgers Navy Freddy Gonzalez - 4 for 5 with 1 homer, 1 triple, & 2 doubles. Sam Harrell - 4 for 5. Bob Swartz - 4 for 5. Russ King - 3 for 4 with 1 triple, 1 double, & 1 walk. Ken Wilson - 3 for 4 with1 triple. Riverside Bank Black Jerry Noble - 6 for 6 with 1 homer & 1 double. Don Witmer - 4 for 4 with 2 homers, 1 triple, 1 double, & 1 walk. Ernie Lancto - 4 for 5. Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold Ed Kline - 4 for 4. Ed Guspyt - 4 for 5 with 2 doubles. Don Bercaw - 4 for 5 with 1 triple. Ed Lupiani - 4 for 5 with 1 double. Bernie Peterson - 3 for 4 with 1 walk. Polk Therapy Green Denny Shaffer - 4 for 5 with 2 triples & 1 double. Ed Gazarek - 4 for 5 with 2 doubles. Ken King - 4 for 5. Frank Miller - 4 for 5. Jerry Witter - 4 for 5. A few players returned just in time to begin the season with their respective teams. Returning to the old ball field this morning were Bill Ayer from Windham, Connecticut; Don Erb from Boyertown, Pennsylvania; Bob Lundquest from Marion, Ohio; and Bernie Peterson from Rochester, Minnesota. Welcome back, Bill, Don, Bob, and Bernie. John Abramo and Bart Gongaware rejoined the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club. Jack Hartman also rejoined but didn't play this morning. John and Bart last played during the 2005 season and Jack played the 2006 season in Winter Haven. Welcome back, John, Bart, and Jack. A new player joined the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club. Bob Zelazny is a retired military man who served in the U.S. Army. Welcome aboard, Bob. January 11th - Today was dubbed "Doubleday" and not because of Abner. There will be a girls tournament this weekend at the DiamondPlex. Because of this upcoming event, temporary breakaway fences were installed on all the fields at the 200 foot marker. All balls hit over the fence were ruled as doubles, but not on April 20th of last year. And there were a LOT of doubles this morning.
LEADING HITTERS: Jarrett Gordon Blue Al Andrews - 5 for 5. Ted Taylor - 5 for 5. Jim Laffoon - 4 for 5 with 2 doubles. Larry Williamson - 4 for 5 with 1 double. John Stewart - 4 for 5. Trustco Bank Purple John Ormsby - 5 for 5. Don Erb - 4 for 4 with 2 doubles. John Abramo - 3 for 4. Dick Sessink - 3 for 4. WH Dodgers Navy George Radlein - 5 for 5 with 3 doubles. Russ King - 5 for 6 with 2 doubles. Bob Lundquest - 5 for 6 with 1 double. Sam Harrell - 5 for 6. Gale Doty - 4 for 5. Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold Vassurl Bess - 4 for 5 with 1 triple. Bernie Peterson - 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 walk. Ed Kline - 3 for 4 with 2 walks. John Daniels - 3 for 4 with 1 walk. Ron Thompson - 3 for 4 with 1 sacrifice fly. Merrill Lynch Gray Fred Dampier - 4 for 5 with 4 doubles & 1 sacrifice fly. Tim Gallagher - 3 for 4 with 2 walks. Terry Feehan - 3 for 4 with 1 walk. Riverside Bank Black Doug Chamlee - 5 for 5 with 3 doubles. Art Zakrowski - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Ernie Lancto - 3 for 4. Bob Zelazny - 3 for 4. Polk Therapy Green Denny Shaffer - 5 for 5 with 4 doubles. Doug Graham - 4 for 5 with 2 doubles. Bill Evans - 4 for 5 with 1 double. Elvis' HounDawgs Red Danny Parker - 5 for 5 with 2 doubles. Bill Ravo - 4 for 4. Chuck Duff - 3 for 3 with 1 double & 2 walks. John Stewart returned from Belleville, Ontario, Canada. Welcome back, John. Lee Baker joined the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club this morning. He is recently retired from the city of Winter Haven. Erv Fitzke, a snowbird who spends his summers in Elkhart, Indiana, also joined. Welcome aboard, Lee and Erv. For the time being, John, Lee, and Erv have been placed into the group of pool players. January 15th - It was cold this morning as the players began arriving at the old ball park. The temperature was in the high 40s or low 50s and the chilling wind was blowing around 10 MPH. But, here in Winter Haven, no games are called because of cold weather.
The list of inside-the-park homers, which was rather small, included Elmer Black, Ed Guspyt, Russ King, Herb Oesterreich, & Danny Parker. Chuck Duff also connected for a homer as he hit for the cycle this morning. Two games went down to the wire. After playing catch up ball the entire game, Merrill Lynch Gray tied it at 7-7 after seven innings of play against Polk Therapy Green. Neither team scored in the eighth frame and the Greens were held scoreless in the ninth. The Gray Bulls collected two hits and a walk in the bottom of the ninth to win by one run. The lead in the Jarrett Gordon Blue vs Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold game changed hands a few times throughout the contest. When the ninth and last frame began, the score was knotted at 20-20. The visiting Blues continued their hitting and managed four runs on six hits. The work was cut out for the Gold Chickens but they responded well. The first three batters hit safely before the fourth man walked. There was only one more hit after that and three runs crossed the plate.
LEADING HITTERS: Riverside Bank Black Doug Chamlee - 4 for 4 with 2 doubles & 1 triple. George Radlein - 3 for 4. Trustco Bank Purple Dick Mahon - 3 for 3 with 1 double & 1 walk. Don Erb - 3 for 4 with 2 triples. Ron Augenstein - 3 for 4. Elvis' HounDawgs Red Chuck Duff - 4 for 5 and hit for cycle. Elmer Black - 4 for 5 with 1 homer. Cal Leigh - 3 for 4 with 1 sacrifice fly. Merrill Lynch Gray Bill McEllister - 3 for 3. Polk Therapy Green Doug Graham - 3 for 4. Frank Miller - 3 for 4. Jerry Witter - 3 for 4. Jarrett Gordon Blue Jim Laffoon - 6 for 6 with 2 doubles & 1 triple. Bob Christiansen - 5 for 6 with 2 doubles & 1 triple. Larry Williamson - 5 for 6 with 1 double. Ted Taylor - 5 for 6. Bill Evans - 4 for 5 with 1 triple. Bob Zelazny - 4 for 5. Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold Ed Guspyt - 4 for 5 with 1 homer & 1 walk. Bernie Peterson - 4 for 5 with 1 walk. Bob Sciamanna returned from Grand Rapids, Michigan and joined the growing list of pool players. Welcome back, Bob. January 18th - Much needed rain has been soaking the county for the past two days. The league games were cancelled for Lakeland Senior Softball yesterday and today was no exception for the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club. Only two of the five fields were playable and most of the outfield area was soggy on the two fields that didn't have standing water on the infield dirt.
The managers did their best to call their team players to inform them of the situation. When phoned, players were given the option to come to the old ball field for a pickup game. The cancelled games will not be made up at a later date and the schedule will continue with games on the appropriate fields according to the schedule on Tuesday, January 22nd. There were enough guys to have a three-team game this morning. The game was played on Field B under cloudy skies. Danny Parker received the win in relief of Cal Leigh, who departed the mound with none out in the fourth inning. The other two pitchers were Bob Swartz and Don Bercaw. At the end of seven innings of regulation play, there was a three-way tie. The score was 12-12-12. Today marked a date that may never be duplicated. There have been numerous two-way ties in three-team games, but never a three-way tie in the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club games. Hats off to Joel Freedman and Chuck Duff for hastily figuring out the teams today. They did a fantastic job. In the eighth and only extra inning, Team One had three consecutive hits for two runs before an infield double play doused the rally. Fred Ducham singled to begin the top of the eighth and Don Bercaw tripled him in for the first run. A single by Sam Harrell finished the scoring for Team One. Team Two could only manage one hit in the middle of the inning and were held scoreless. Only one team remained between a victory, tie, or loss for Team One. Team Three began the inning with a long double by John Stewart and followed with an RBI single by Ed Kline. A double by Bill Cook set the table with runners on second and third for the next batter Herb Oesterreich. Herb drove the ball to the opposite field, driving in both runs for a 15-14-12 win. Two inside-the-park homers were hit during the contest this morning. Fred Dampier hit a two run homer in the middle of the fifth inning and, three batters later, Jerry Noble connected for a solo shot for the same team. Doug McLellan, who is recovering from a shoulder operation and will be unable to play this season, umpired behind the plate this morning. Thank you Doug.
LEADING HITTERS: Mike Stepp - 4 for 4 with 1 triple & 1 double. Ed Kline - 4 for 4 with 1 triple. Fred Dampier - 3 for 3 with 1 homer, 2 doubles, & 1 sacrifice fly. Bob Douglas - 3 for 3. Denny Shaffer - 3 for 3. Doug Chamlee - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Cal Leigh - 3 for 4. Bob Swartz - 3 for 4. Fred Rose came by the ball park this morning but didn't intend to cross the white lines on the field. Fred spends the summer months in Barberton, Ohio. Welcome back, Fred. January 22nd - A cold front blew in over the past weekend, which dropped the high on Sunday, January 19th, to 57° F. The temperature wasn't that low but a stiff 20-25 MPH wind made the cool air feel colder. It warmed up a bit on Monday, and, by game time this morning, the temperature was hovering at a comfortable 68° F.
Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold continued to score a lot of runs as they stomped Riverside Bank Black 25-7 to even their record at 2-2. Five triples were banged out by the Gold Chickens along with two homers. Don Bercaw and Ed Lupiani each had two triples while Ed Guspyt was credited with one triple. The Elvis' HounDawgs Red rallied for six runs in the bottom of the ninth against Merrill Lynch Gray but fell three short of tying the game. In that last inning, Danny Parker smashed a bases loaded triple deep over the right centerfielder's head. The ball players who hit inside-the-park homers today were Elmer Black, Joe D'Herin, Fred Dampier, Don Erb, Tim Gallagher, Lloyd Hopper, Jim Laffoon, John Ormsby, Bernie Peterson, and Ron Thompson.
LEADING HITTERS: Polk Therapy Green Randy Lane - 3 for 4 with 1 walk. Bill Ayer - 3 for 4. Steve Collins - 3 for 4. George Radlein - 3 for 4. Jarrett Gordon Blue Jim Laffoon - 3 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 double. Bob Christensen - 3 for 4. Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold Ron Thompson - 4 for 5 with 1 homer & 1 double. WH Dodgers Navy Russ King - 4 for 4 with 2 walks. Lloyd Hopper - 5 for 6 with 1 homer & 1 double. Bob Swartz - 5 for 6. Ken Wilson - 3 for 4 with 2 walks. Trustco Bank Purple Dick Mahon - 4 for 5 with 2 doubles. Floyd Welton - 4 for 5 with 1 double. Bob Douglas - 4 for 5. Don Erb - 3 for 4 with 1 homer, 1 double, & 1 walk. Merrill Lynch Gray Chris Constantine - 5 for 5. Fred Dampier - 3 for 4 with 1 homer, 1 double, & 1 walk. Bob Sciamanna - 3 for 4. Elvis' HounDawgs Red Elmer Black - 5 for 5 with 1 homer. Bob Lewis - 3 for 4 with 1 walk. Jim Gillies joined the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club today and played his first game with his assigned team, Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold. Jim resides in Windermere, Ontario, Canada. Welcome aboard, Jim. January 25th - It was a bit cool again this morning. The temperature was in the low 50s at game time and the high is expected to reach 61° F.
Some close games were played on the fields today. It took 10 innings for the Trustco Bank Purple to pull away from Polk Therapy Green on Field E. At the end of nine innings of play, the score was knotted at 19-19. The Purple banged out singles by Ron Augenstein, Floyd Welton, John Fulton, and Bob Douglas to go along with three walks in the 10th inning. The team scored five runs and coasted to a 24-21 win. Elvis' HounDawgs Red scored two runs in the ninth to beat Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold by three runs. Cal Leigh, Rusty Landahl, Bob Lewis, and Rich Palmer all contributed to the insurance runs scored in the top of the last frame. Jarrett Gordon Blue and Riverside Bank Black went down to the wire, too. With the game tied at 12-12 going into the last inning on Fred White Field, the Blacks couldn't push a runner across home plate. The Blues collected three hits in-a-row after the first out to win. Manager Ed Neumyer singled, advanced on a single by George Radlein, and scored on a single by Al Andrews. George picked up the victory in relief of starter Larry Williamson. In a battle of first place teams early in the season, Merrill Lynch Gray was victorious over the WH Dodgers Navy. A grand slam inside-the-park homer by manager Russ King in the final frame wasn't enough as the Dodgers lost 22-14. Besides Russ King's grand slam, the list of homers hit today included two by Don Erb and one each by Fred Dampier, Chuck Duff, Bernie Peterson, and Ron Thompson.
LEADING HITTERS: Elvis' HounDawgs Red Danny Parker - 5 for 5 with 1 walk. Chuck Duff - 5 for 6 with 1 homer. Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold Ed Kline - 6 for 7 with 1 double. Ed Guspyt - 4 for 5 with 3 doubles. Bernie Peterson - 4 for 5 with 1 homer. Jarrett Gordon Blue George Radlein - 5 for 5. Jim Laffoon - 4 for 5 with 1 double. Riverside Bank Black Angel Merced - 4 for 5 with 2 doubles. Art Zakrowski - 3 for 4 with 1 walk. Merrill Lynch Gray Fred Dampier - 5 for 5 with 1 homer & 2 doubles. Elmer Wilcox - 4 for 4 with 1 double & 1 walk. Tim Gallagher - 4 for 5 with 2 doubles. WH Dodgers Navy Bob Lundquest - 4 for 4. Ken Wilson - 4 for 5 with 1 double. Polk Therapy Green Bob Zelazny - 6 for 7. Trustco Bank Purple Don Erb - 4 for 5 with 2 homers & 1 double. Reg Barnes - 3 for 4 with 2 walks. Dick Mahon - 3 for 4 with 1 walk. Hank Gomez, first baseman for the WH Dodgers Navy, was injured during the game this morning. He left the game and headed for the hospital with a possible fractured wrist. Please keep Hank in your prayers. Bob Zelazny was removed from the pool players and placed on the Polk Therapy Green team. Bob took the place of the injured Gary Reed, who will be placed in the pool. Vic Platania was also moved from the Green and placed in the pool. In other transactions, the injured Ron Cerotzke was moved from Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold to the pool. Dick Wilhelm was moved from Riverside Bank Black to the pool. Harry Manders and Bob Martin were moved from Jarrett Gordon Blue to the pool. Shannon Steinmetz was moved from Elvis' HounDawgs Red to the pool. Winter Haven Senior Softball Club umpire Tom Mohler returned from Monticello, Indiana. Welcome back, Tom. January 29th - The first month of league play concluded today. Of the four games played, one game was decided in the bottom of the ninth inning and one game came up one run short of tying the score after regulation play.
Merrill Lynch Gray pulled out a victory in the bottom of the last frame. With the score tied at 17-17 against worthy opponent Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold, Tim Gallagher singled to right centerfield and Fred Dampier doubled to left centerfield, scoring the speedy Tim from first base. Both hits were directed to the opposite field.
Polk Therapy Green was leading Riverside Bank Black by a score of 22-20 going into the final frame. The Greens tacked on four runs with singles from Rusty Landahl and Doug Graham, followed by a triple from the bat of Denny Shaffer. An RBI single by Dean Schapeler rounded out the scoring. The work was cut out for the Blacks, since they were down 26-20. A dramatic comeback fell one run short of tying the score. Jerry Noble singled and scored, as did Angel Merced, Doug Chamlee, and Bill Evans. Don Witmer also scored after being issued a free pass. After all the dust had settled, the Green won the tight game by the score of 26-25. An outstanding defensive play was made on Field E during the Jarrett Gordon Blue game against the WH Dodgers Navy. Blues right centerfielder Jim Margolin stretched it out and made a diving catch on a sinking line drive. Don Witmer led the pack of players who hit inside-the-park homers this morning. Don hit two and Ed Guspyt & Bernie Peterson each hit one homer. Jim Laffoon hit for the cycle today. Don Erb parked a homer over the leftfield fence on Fred White Field in a losing effort.
LEADING HITTERS: Merrill Lynch Gray Tim Gallagher - 5 for 5 with 1 double. Bill McEllister - 4 for 4. Chris Constantine - 4 for 5 with 1 double. Mike Stepp - 3 for 4 with 1 triple & 1 double. Elmer Wilcox - 3 for 4. Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold Ed Guspyt - 4 for 5 with 1 homer. Bernie Peterson - 4 for 5 with 1 homer. Elvis' HounDawgs Red Danny Parker - 4 for 4 with 1 double & 1 walk. Bob Lewis - 3 for 4 with 1 walk. Rich Palmer - 3 for 4 with 1 walk. Polk Therapy Green Denny Shaffer - 3 for 3 with 1 triple, 1 double, 2 walks, & 1 sacrifice fly. Dean Schapeler - 4 for 5 with 2 doubles & 1 sacrifice fly. Jarrett Gordon Blue Jim Laffoon - 5 for 5 and hit for cycle with 2 triples. Bob Christiansen - 3 for 4 with 1 triple, 1 double, & 1 sacrifice fly. WH Dodgers Navy Russ King - 4 for 5 with 1 double. Ken Wilson - 4 for 5 with 1 double. Bob Lundquest - 3 for 4 with 1 walk. Update on Hank Gomez - Hank suffered a severely sprained wrist in the game on Friday, January 25th. He will be out of commission for a few games. Marshall Bloom was moved to the injured reserve list with a damaged thumb that was hurt while playing the outfield for the Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold team. Marshall will remain on the team. Also, John Daniels has been moved from Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold to the pool. Ron Cerotzke returned to the old ballpark and was moved back to the team for which he was originally drafted. He was chosen for the Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold team. Ron lives in Arlington Heights, Illinois during the summer months. Welcome back, Ron. |
December 2007