February 1st - The new month welcomed in some exciting games this morning. Under cloudy skies, three of the four games were decided in the final inning of regulation play and one game went 10 innings.
On Field B, Merrill Lynch Gray took a comfortable five run lead going into the ninth inning against Jarrett Gordon Blue. The Blues wouldn't quit and pushed seven runs across the plate on a number of hits and errors. Bob Christiansen banged out a triple and pitcher Larry Williamson connected for a double in the top of the last frame. Ted Taylor, Jim Laffoon, Bill Cook, & Bob Sciamanna each singled.
Down by two runs, the Gray Bulls answered with the deciding three runs while no outs were recorded in the scorebooks. Bart Gongaware led off the inning with a double. Chris Constantine and Tim Gallagher singled before the game winning single came from the bat of Mike Stepp.
At the end of each inning in the first half of the game, the Elvis' HounDawgs Red lead Riverside Bank Black on Fred White Field. The Black Banks took a one run lead after six innings of play. Three consecutive doubles were big hits in the sixth. Jerry Noble, Angel Merced, & Bill Evans each hit two baggers.
The HounDawgs fought back to tie the game after seven innings. Three runs were scored by each team in the eighth, so the score was still tied going into the final frame.
The Black Banks went three up and three down in the top of the ninth. A costly error was committed to get the potential winning run on base with one out for the HounDawgs in their turn at bat. After that miscue, Elmer Black singled to move the runner into scoring position and Bill Ravo singled in the winning run.
It was a WILD ninth inning for the game on Field D. The WH Dodgers Navy hosted Polk Therapy Green and could have never dreamed of such an ending to a close game.
With the game tied 17-17 going into the final inning, the Greens just wouldn't seem to quit hitting! A total of 12 runs were scored in the ninth. Denny Shaffer began with a bang. Denny hit a double followed by a single from Bob Zelazny. After an error was made, Frank Miller, Bill Ayer, and pitcher Jerry Witter all singled before the first out was recorded. After that, Keith Linton and Bill Spring singled before Randy Lane doubled. The second error then occured, which would have been the third out. Bob Zelazny then collected his second hit of the inning and Ed Gazarek smashed an inside-the-park homer. A second single in the inning by Frank Miller was the last hit of that fateful frame.
The Dodgers were shell shocked after that double digit scoring inning and couldn't manage to get any runs. The final score was 29-17 in favor of the Green.
The game on Field E turned out to be a ten inning affair. Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold started early and lead 10-1 over Trustco Bank Purple after only three innings were recorded. The Purple Banks came alive in the fourth with nine runs to tie the score at 10-10. Erv Szewczuga, John Fulton, Dick Mahon, Dick Sessink, Joe DeForge, Floyd Welton, & Herb Oesterreich each singled and scored. Don Erb doubled and scored and Ron Augenstein tripled and scored.
The score was again tied, this time 16-16, after seven innings. The Gold Chickens pulled away a little when they put a five spot on the scoreboard in the top of the eighth. No outs were recorded. Ron Cerotzke lead off the inning with a single, followed by singles from Rich Kralik, Lee Baker, and Ed Kline. Joe D'Herin doubled before pitcher Don Bercaw singled in the fifth and final run.
The Purple Banks produced a huge ninth inning and the Gold Chickens responded with enough runs to tie the game 24-24 at the end of regulation play.
Bernie Peterson hit a two run homer for the Gold Chickens after Joe D'Herin doubled to drive in Ed Kline, who had reached base on a single to right centerfield. The Purple Banks couldn't answer and lost by three runs.
Besides Bernie Peterson, inside-the-park homers today were also hit by Al Andrews, Don Bercaw, John Fulton, Ed Gazarek, Russ King, Don LaMay, John Smith, & Don Witmer. Ed Lupiani and Denny Shaffer each hit for the cycle this morning. Ed also added one extra triple and one extra double to the feat.
| Merrill Lynch Gray | 16 | Jarrett Gordon Blue | 15 | |
| Elvis' HounDawgs Red | 23 | Riverside Bank Black | 22 | |
| Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold | 27 | Trustco Bank Purple | 24 | |
| Polk Therapy Green | 29 | WH Dodgers Navy | 17 |
LEADING HITTERS:
Merrill Lynch Gray
Tim Gallagher - 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 walk.
Jarrett Gordon Blue
Fred Ducham - 4 for 5.
Jim Laffoon - 4 for 5.
Elvis' HounDawgs Red
Chuck Duff - 3 for 3 with 2 triples & 2 walks.
Elvis Abney - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
Riverside Bank Black
Doug Chamlee - 4 for 4 with 2 doubles & 1 sacrifice fly.
Bill Evans - 3 for 4 with 1 triple, 2 doubles, & 1 walk.
Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold
Ed Lupiani - 6 for 6 and hit for cycle with 2 triples & 2 doubles.
Ron Thompson - 5 for 5 with 1 double.
Joe D'Herin - 5 for 6 with 1 triple & 3 doubles.
Don Bercaw - 5 for 6 with 1 homer & 1 double.
Ed Kline - 5 for 6.
Ron Cerotzke - 4 for 5.
Trustco Bank Purple
John Fulton - 5 for 6 with 1 homer.
Herb Oesterreich - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
Joe DeForge - 4 for 5 with 1 walk.
John Abramo - 3 for 4 with 1 sacrifice fly.
Polk Therapy Green
Bob Zelazny - 6 for 6 with 2 doubles.
Keith Linton - 3 for 4 with 1 walk
WH Dodgers Navy
Russ King - 5 for 5 with 1 homer & 2 doubles.
Ken Wilson - 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 sacrifice fly.
Gale Doty - 3 for 4.
Shannon Steinmetz dropped by the old ballpark to watch some of the action. Shannon has been battling some health issues and hopes to play again in the near future.
Two players from the Riverside Bank Black were moved to the pool. An injury has sidelined Rick DeYoung and Dick Wilhelm doesn't want to dedicate two days a week to play softball.
The Board of Directors and the eight managers met today after the game and made one move of a pool player to a team assignment. John Stewart was moved to Riverside Bank Black.
February 5th - With the exception of the morning fog during batting practice, the climate was like a warm summer day. The temperature is expected to reach upwards to 86° F before the day is over.
Riverside Bank Black won their second game of the season on Field B as they outlasted WH Dodgers Navy by a score of 16-12. The Dodgers are experiencing a four game slide at the moment.
Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold continues to rack up high scores and added 32 more to their total today. They did give up 25 to Polk Therapy Green on their way to victory.
Elvis' HounDawgs Red won their fourth game in-a-row and are now tied for first place. Jarrett Gordon Blue was the victim this morning.
It seems that Trustco Bank Purple has the formula to win against Merrill Lynch Gray. The Gray Bulls are now tied for first place and have only two losses. Both defeats were at the hands of the Purple Banks.
Chuck Duff slugged a ball over the right centerfield fence on Field D this morning. Unfortunately, his run didn't count in the scorebooks since the fifth run was on base when Chuck was at the plate.
Polk Therapy Green showcased back-to-back homers in the visiting sixth inning on Fred White Field. Lefties Bill Ayer & Bill Evans hit the inside-the-park dingers.
Other inside-the-park homers were hit today by Ron Augenstein, Don Bercaw, Eddie Diaz, & Freddy Gonzalez.
| Riverside Bank Black | 16 | WH Dodgers Navy | 12 | |
| Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold | 32 | Polk Therapy Green | 25 | |
| Elvis' HounDawgs Red | 26 | Jarrett Gordon Blue | 15 | |
| Trustco Bank Purple | 18 | Merrill Lynch Gray | 11 |
LEADING HITTERS:
Riverside Bank Black
Joe D'Herin - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
Don Witmer - 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 walk.
WH Dodgers Navy
Freddy Gonzalez - 3 for 4 with 1 homer, 1 double, & 1 sacrifice fly.
Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold
Don Bercaw - 5 for 6 with 1 homer & 1 double.
George Radlein - 5 for 5.
Vassurl Bess - 6 for 7 with 1 double.
Bernie Peterson - 5 for 6 with 1 triple.
Ed Kline - 5 for 6 with 1 double & 1 walk.
Rusty Landahl - 5 for 6.
Polk Therapy Green
Bill Evans - 4 for 4 with 1 homer, 1 triple, & 1 walk.
Herb Oesterreich - 5 for 6.
Elvis' HounDawgs Red
Danny Parker - 6 for 6 with 2 triples & 2 doubles.
Bill Ravo - 5 for 6 with 1 double.
Chuck Duff - 3 for 4 with 1 homer, 1 double, & 2 walks.
Jarrett Gordon Blue
Al Andrews - 5 for 6 with 1 double.
Trustco Bank Purple
Wayne Mundy - 3 for 4 with 1 walk.
John Ormsby - 3 for 4 with 1 walk.
Merrill Lynch Gray
Tim Gallagher - 1 for 1 with 3 walks & 1 sacrifice fly.
Bill McEllister - 3 for 4.
Eddie Diaz returned to the old ballpark after an almost two month layoff due to heart problems. It's good to have you back Eddie and you are looking as strong as ever.
One player from Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold was placed into the group of pool players. Jose Agosto agreed to be placed on a team at the beginning of the season with the understanding that he would be placed into the pool as soon as a player could be moved to his team. No one was moved to the team but Jose was still put into the pool.
It's getting about that time to start taking team pictures. Beginning on Friday, February 8th, and going until all the team pictures are taken, team pictures will be taken for each team that has their full squad at the old ballpark.
Pool players - please mark Friday, February 22nd, on your calendar for the pool team picture. This date will be the only date that a pool team picture will be taken.
February 8th - The games have been cancelled this morning. In fact, none of the fields are dry enough for a practice game.
Please note that cancelled games are not made up at a later date. The future games will be played according to the schedule.
February 12th - There were two lopsided games played this morning.
Perhaps the most fun inning to observe was the final frame of the Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold against Jarrett Gordon Blue.
Eight runs were scored for each team in that fateful ninth inning. The Gold Chickens ripped the cover off the ball and held a comfortable 10 run lead going into the bottom of the final frame.
Here's how the runs were scored. Ed Kline, Don Bercaw, Vassurl Bess, & Bernie Peterson began the top of the ninth with singles. Ed Lupiani then cranked a double, followed by a Ron Thompson single and a homer by Ed Guspyt. Jim Gillies and Ron Cerotzke finished off the hitting barrage with singles.
The Blue ninth was almost as eventful. The inning began with consecutive singles by Larry Williamson, Harvey Rennie, Gene Morey, Ed Neumyer, Dean Schapeler, Eddie Diaz, Bob Sciamanna, & Al Andrews. After the first out was recorded, Jim Laffoon singled. Bob Christiansen got a base hit after two outs were in the books.
What an exciting finish! The Gold Chickens had a 19-17 lead over the Blue and ended up winning 27-25.
Riverside Bank Black walloped Trustco Bank Purple by a score of 20-4. The Black Banks began slowly enough as they batted only three men in the top of the first inning. After that, they opened up with at least two runs in the second, third, fourth, & fifth innings. Lead off batter Jerry Noble scored every time after the first frame and finished with four hits and four runs scored. Angel Merced blasted a two run homer in the seventh and Jerry cranked a two run homer in the ninth.
The Purple Banks had only one productive inning. All four runs were scored in the home second and they actually were leading 4-2 after two innings of play. Joe DeForge walked and scored the first run. Dick Sessink and John Abramo each singled and scored. The fourth run was driven in when Floyd Welton singled in John Fulton, who had reached base on an error.
Elvis' HounDawgs Red took it to WH Dodgers Navy 30-7. The HounDawgs jumped out of the gates quickly as they posted a five spot in the first. They never looked back. Chuck Duff scored all five times that he reached base and Bill Ravo, Danny Parker, & Cal Leigh each scored four out of five plate appearances.
Only two Dodgers players hit well this morning. Pitcher Bob Swartz hit a perfect four for four and Lloyd Hopper went two for three with a walk. Lloyd also pounded out a double in the Dodgers loss.
Merrill Lynch Gray fought back from an earlier deficit to claim victory over Polk Therapy Green. After three innings were in the books, the Gray Bulls were down. A fourth inning grand slam homer by Bart Gongaware began the surge to the top. An inning later, Tim Gallagher and Mike Stepp connected for two run homers.
Besides the ones mentioned above, other inside-the-park homers were hit today by Bill Evans, Ed Lupiani, Harvey Rennie, & John Smith. Ed Guspyt hit for the cycle today.
| Merrill Lynch Gray | 22 | Polk Therapy Green | 16 | |
| Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold | 27 | Jarrett Gordon Blue | 25 | |
| Riverside Bank Black | 20 | Trustco Bank Purple | 4 | |
| Elvis' HounDawgs Red | 30 | WH Dodgers Navy | 7 |
LEADING HITTERS:
Merrill Lynch Gray
Mike Stepp - 4 for 5 with 1 homer & 1 double.
Tim Gallagher - 4 for 5 with 1 homer.
Bart Gongaware - 3 for 4 with 1 grand slam homer.
Bill McDonough - 3 for 4.
Polk Therapy Green
Doug Graham - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
Bill Evans - 3 for 4 with 1 homer.
Jerry Witter - 3 for 4.
Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold
Ed Guspyt - 5 for 5 and hit for cycle.
Bernie Peterson - 5 for 5 with 1 double.
Don Bercaw - 4 for 5 with 1 triple & 1 double.
Ed Kline - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
George Radlein - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
Jim Gillies - 4 for 5.
Jarrett Gordon Blue
Jim Laffoon - 5 for 5 with 1 double & 1 sacrifice fly.
Bob Sciamanna - 3 for 4.
Riverside Bank Black
Joe D'Herin - 5 for 5 with 1 triple.
Jerry Noble - 4 for 5 with 1 homer & 2 doubles.
Don Witmer - 4 for 5 with 3 doubles.
Joel Freedman - 3 for 4.
Art Zakrowski - 3 for 4.
Elvis' HounDawgs Red
Bob Lewis - 5 for 5 with 2 triples.
Cal Leigh - 4 for 4 with 1 double & 1 walk.
Chuck Duff - 3 for 3 with 2 doubles & 2 walks.
Bill Rutan - 4 for 5 with 1 triple & 2 doubles.
Elmer Black - 4 for 5 with 1 triple.
Danny Parker - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
WH Dodgers Navy
Bob Swartz - 4 for 4.
The games for Friday, February 15th are cancelled because the fields will be used for a national softball tournament.
Hank Gomez, owner of the WH Dodgers Navy, was moved from his team and into the pool. He has a fractured wrist from an injury sustained in a game on January 25th against the Merrill Lynch Gray. The injury was first diagnosed as a severe strain but a later visit to the doctor revealed a hairline fracture. Get well soon, Hank.
The three managers for the Winter Haven vs Lakeland fourth annual competition and the Board of Directors met to select the Winter Haven teams. The managers for the games this year are Fred Dampier, Ed Lupiani, and Don Witmer.
The games will take place in Lakeland on Wednesday, March 5th and on the following Wednesday, March 12th in Winter Haven.
Check below the 2008 Winter Haven Senior Softball Club Standings for the team selections and list of alternate players.
Former snowbird and team manager Ed Schmiedeke dropped by the old ballpark and watched the action this morning. Ed retired from softball after the 2006 season and moved back home to St. Louis for good, he thought. However, he could not stay away from sunny Florida. It was nice to see you, Ed.
We lost one of our own this past weekend. Shannon Steinmetz went to be with our Lord on Saturday, February 9th after a battle with congestive heart failure. Shannon was a beloved member of the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club and always promoted the sport of senior softball to practically everyone he came in contact with over the years. He will be sadly missed.
Rest in peace, Shannon.
February 19th - Two of the four games went into the 10th inning and one of the games remained tied after the one extra inning. Merrill Lynch Gray fought back to take the lead after the completion of seven innings. A one run lead by the Gray Bulls went away when WH Dodgers Navy scored the run needed to tie the score after nine innings of play. The top of the 10th displayed some good batsmanship as Jack Valliere, Bill McEllister, and Frank Acevedo each singled while Elmer Wilcox tripled and Freddy Gonzalez doubled. Five runs scored in the Gray Bulls 10th.
The Dodgers came back in the bottom of the 10th with a single by Ray DePalma and back-to-back doubles from the bats of Joe D'Herin and Bill Evans. Two runs crossed the plate and the Dodgers lost by three.
Polk Therapy Green and Trustco Bank Purple fought to a 20-20 tie. The Greens took a 9-6 lead after three innings of play and held on until the Purple Banks rallied for three runs in the seventh to take a one run lead. The Greens needed four runs in the final inning of regulation play to take the game into extra innings. The runs were accomplished due to singles by Keith Linton, Doug Graham, Bob Zelazny, and Denny Shaffer.
Neither team could muster a run in the one extra inning.
Inside-the-park homers were hit this morning by Al Andrews, Don Erb, & Jerry Noble.
| Jarrett Gordon Blue | 19 | Riverside Bank Black | 12 | |
| Merrill Lynch Gray | 24 | WH Dodgers Navy | 21 | |
| Polk Therapy Green | 20 | Trustco Bank Purple | 20 | |
| Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold | 24 | Elvis' HounDawgs Red | 14 |
LEADING HITTERS:
Jarrett Gordon Blue
Jim Laffoon - 3 for 3 with 1 triple & 1 walk.
Al Andrews - 4 for 5 with 1 homer & 1 double.
Bob Christiansen - 3 for 4 with 1 triple.
Gene Morey - 3 for 4.
Riverside Bank Black
John Stewart - 2 for 2 with 1 walk & 1 sacrifice fly.
Jerry Remington - 3 for 4 with 1 triple.
Angel Merced - 3 for 4 with 1 double.
Don Witmer - 3 for 4 with 1 double.
Ron Carrothers - 3 for 4.
Merrill Lynch Gray
Fred Dampier - 3 for 3 with 2 triples, 1 walk, & 1 sacrifice fly.
Freddy Gonzalez - 3 for 4 with 3 doubles & 1 sacrifice fly.
Tim Gallagher - 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 walk.
WH Dodgers Navy
Joe D'Herin - 5 for 6 with 4 doubles.
Bill Evans - 4 for 5 with 1 triple, 3 doubles, & 1 sacrifice fly.
Don LaMay - 4 for 5 with 1 triple.
Gale Doty - 4 for 5.
Polk Therapy Green
Denny Shaffer - 4 for 4 with 1 walk.
Bill Ayer - 4 for 5.
Ed Gazarek - 3 for 4 with 1 walk.
Trustco Bank Purple
Dick Mahon - 5 for 5 with 1 double.
Don Erb - 4 for 5 with 1 homer & 1 triple.
Wayne Mundy - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
John Abramo - 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 walk.
Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold
Don Bercaw - 5 for 5 with 2 doubles.
Bernie Peterson - 4 for 4 with 1 triple & 1 walk.
Vassurl Bess - 4 for 4 with 1 walk.
Ed Lupiani - 4 for 5 with 1 triple & 1double.
Elvis' HounDawgs Red
Danny Parker - 4 for 5 with 2 doubles.
Elvis Abney - 3 for 4 with 1 double.
The third annual Canada vs USA game will take place tomorrow on Fred White Field. The teams are comprised of ball players from the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club. The Canada manager is Elmer Black and the USA manager is Fred Dampier. After the game, hot dogs, chili with beans, chips, & sodas will be served to the ball players and one guest. All remaining refreshments will be available to others at the old ballpark.
The inaugural game on February 15, 2006 went ten innings as Team USA won 17-15. Click here to read about the game. Team USA was victorious again on February 14, 2007. The final score was 26-16. Click HERE to read about the 2007 game.
Please feel welcome to come out and support the team of your choice. The game will be played on Fred White Field at the DiamondPlex and the start time is 10:00 AM.
Just a reminder to the pool players that the team picture will be taken Friday, February 22nd. Some of the other team pictures were taken today and the rest will be taken when the full squads are present.
Some roster changes were put into effect this morning. Freddy Gonzalez was moved from the WH Dodgers Navy team and placed into the pool. Joe D'Herin took his place on the team. Lee Baker moved from the pool to the Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold team. Eddie Diaz was moved from the pool and placed on Jarrett Gordon Blue. Doug Chamlee was moved from Riverside Bank Black and placed into the pool.
John Ormsby has suffered some medical problems and has had to return to Canada. We are all praying for your complete recovery and are looking forward to seeing you again in the Fall, John.
February 20th - The third annual Canada vs USA game was played this morning at the DiamondPlex. Click here to read about the results, find out what has been added to the festivities this year, and view pictures taken for the occasion.
February 22nd - There was quite a rain storm last night and one of the fields was too wet for a game. Therefore, the game on Field D was moved to the field with the short fences. The powerful Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold took on the first place Merrill Lynch Gray. Every ball hit over the 225 foot fence was declared a double. Although the Gold Chickens parked a few over, the Gray Bulls won the game with base hits and some fine defensive plays.
The game on Fred White Field was one to watch. Polk Therapy Green had an 8-0 lead before Riverside Bank Black was able to get a run on the boards. A strong second inning by the Greens accounted for five runs. In that big inning, Keith Linton tripled and Frank Miller and Doug Chamlee doubled. Randy Lane singled in the fifth run.
The Black Banks fought back in the fifth and put a six spot on the scoreboard. Joel Freedman began the inning with a single and Ken Doxtater walked. Angel Merced and Freddy Gonzalez hit consecutive doubles, and Don Witmer, Jerry Remington, John Stewart, & Art Zakrowski each hit singles. By the time the top of the fifth was done, the score was tied at 8-8.
The Greens chipped away and finally took a five run lead going into the ninth but another Black Bank rally tied the score at 16-16. Jerry Noble began the five run frame with a solo inside-the-park homer.
One run was needed by the Greens to pull out a victory. With two outs recorded on the first two batters, Doug Graham doubled. That set up an intentional walk to Bob Zelazny. Denny Shaffer stepped to the plate and delivered a clutch single to win the game.
Bob Zelazny hit the ball over the fence on Fred White Field.
Besides Jerry Noble, other inside-the-park homers were hit today by Bernie Peterson and Denny Shaffer.
| Elvis' HounDawgs Red | 15 | Trustco Bank Purple | 12 | |
| Polk Therapy Green | 17 | Riverside Bank Black | 16 | |
| Merrill Lynch Gray | 22 | Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold | 11 | |
| WH Dodgers Navy | 23 | Jarrett Gordon Blue | 12 |
LEADING HITTERS:
Elvis' HounDawgs Red
Elmer Black - 4 for 4.
Chuck Duff - 3 for 3 with 1 walk.
Bill Ravo - 3 for 4.
Trustco Bank Purple
John Abramo - 4 for 4 with 1 double.
Irv Fitzke - 3 for 3.
George Radlein - 3 for 4 with 1 triple & 1 double.
Dick Mahon - 3 for 4 with 2 doubles.
Ron Augenstein - 3 for 4 with 1 triple.
Don Erb - 3 for 4 with 1 double.
Polk Therapy Green
Denny Shaffer - 3 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 sacrifice fly.
Bob Zelazny - 3 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 walk.
Doug Chamlee - 3 for 4 with 2 doubles.
Frank Miller - 3 for 4 with 1 double.
Riverside Bank Black
Don Witmer - 4 for 5.
Freddy Gonzalez - 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 sacrifice fly.
Merrill Lynch Gray
Chris Constantine - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
Jack Valliere - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
Elmer Wilcox - 3 for 4 with 1 double.
Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold
Rich Kralik - 3 for 3.
WH Dodgers Navy
Russ King - 4 for 4 with 1 triple, 1 double, & 1 sacrifice fly.
Cecil Vasquez - 4 for 5 with 1 triple & 2 doubles.
Lloyd Hopper - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
Doug McLellan - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
Bob Swartz - 4 for 5.
Jim McPartlan - 3 for 4.
Doug McLellan returned from the injured reserve list to play his first game this season. He had shoulder surgery in the Fall of 2007 and has now fully recovered. Doug graciously volunteered to umpire when the season began and performed that chore most of this season. Thank you for umpiring Doug and welcome back onto the field.
February 26th - If the won-lost records are any indication of team superiority over other teams, there was an upset in the making on Field B this morning. Riverside Bank Black won their fourth game as they thrashed Elvis' HounDawgs Red for their fourth loss. The Black Banks put three five run innings on the scoreboard and one four run inning as they completely took charge of the game.
In the very first inning, six straight hits scored the first five runs. Jerry Noble, Angel Merced, Cecil Vasquez, and Don Witmer each singled, Jerry Remington doubled, and John Stewart singled in the fifth run.
The HounDawgs did have one good inning. They scored one half of their total score in the sixth frame as five runs were added to the score. Six singles were banged out during the big inning. Jaime Rivera, Chuck Duff, Bob Lewis, John Smith, George Radlein, & Rich Palmer all collected hits in the sixth.
The surging Jarrett Gordon Blue defeated Merrill Lynch Gray by three runs on Field E. At one time, the Gray Bulls were down by 13 runs, as the score after five innings of play was 16-3.
The Blue jumped out of the gates with five runs in the first inning on singles by Ted Taylor, Fred Ducham, and Harvey Rennie, a homer by Jim Laffoon, and a triple by Larry Williamson.
The Gray Bulls made a late run but finished three runs short of a tie.
Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold won a tight game against Trustco Bank Purple. The Gold Chickens needed seven runs in the fourth to tie the game and came through in the clutch. Bernie Peterson led off with a single and scored on an Ed Lupiani triple. After Ed Guspyt got aboard on an error, Vassurl Bess doubled and Erv Fitzke singled. The final RBI single came from the bat of Jim Gillies.
Two ball players drove home runs over the fences today. Don Erb hit the ball over the leftfield fence on Field D and Bob Zelazny cleared the fence on Fred White Field.
Inside-the-park homers were hit today by Doug Chamlee, Eddie Diaz, Jim Laffoon, Don LaMay, Randy Lane, Keith Linton, Bob Lundquest. The odds were good that a homer would be hit this morning if your last name began with an "L".
| Riverside Bank Black | 25 | Elvis' HounDawgs Red | 10 | |
| Polk Therapy Green | 14 | WH Dodgers Navy | 12 | |
| Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold | 23 | Trustco Bank Purple | 21 | |
| Jarrett Gordon Blue | 18 | Merrill Lynch Gray | 15 |
LEADING HITTERS:
Riverside Bank Black
Jerry Remington - 5 for 5 with 3 doubles.
Larry Powell - 5 for 5 with 1 double.
Don Witmer - 4 for 4 with 2 doubles &1 walk.
Art Zakrowski - 4 for 4 with 1 sacrifice fly.
Bill Rutan - 2 for 2 with 2 walks.
Joel Freedman - 4 for 5.
Jerry Noble - 4 for 5.
Elvis' HounDawgs Red
Chuck Duff - 3 for 3 with 1 triple & 1 walk.
Polk Therapy Green
Jerry Witter - 3 for 4 with 1 triple.
Doug Graham - 3 for 4 with 1 double.
WH Dodgers Navy
Russ King - 3 for 4 with 1 triple.
Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold
Ed Lupiani - 4 for 4 with 3 triples.
Don Bercaw - 3 for 4 with 1 triple.
Bernie Peterson - 3 for 4.
Trustco Bank Purple
Don Erb - 5 for 5 with 1 homer & 1 double.
John Abramo - 4 for 5.
Bob Douglas - 3 for 4.
Jarrett Gordon Blue
Jim Laffoon - 5 for 5 with 1 homer.
Larry Williamson - 3 for 4 with 1 triple.
Ed Neumyer - 3 for 4.
Merrill Lynch Gray
Tim Gallagher - 2 for 2 with 2 walks & 1 sacrifice fly.
Carl Luebking - 4 for 5 with 1 triple & 1 double.
Frank Acevedo - 4 for 5.
Chris Constantine - 3 for 4 with 1 walk.
One player joined the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club this morning. Gene Baker is retired and hails from Chapel Hills, Texas. Welcome aboard, Gene.
February 29th - It was a bit cool this morning but the wind wasn't blowing as strong as yesterday so it didn't feel as cold. The sun warmed everyone and the layers of clothing began shedding as the innings went on during the games.
Polk Therapy Green scored two runs in the first and never gave up the lead as they handed Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold another loss. The five run sixth was the turning point in the game. The Greens had a seven run lead after the inning was complete. Singles by Richard Moots, Randy Lane, Doug Graham, Denny Shaffer, & Ed Gazarek accounted for the five spot.
Jarrett Gordon Blue is on a roll now. The Blue defeated Elvis' HounDawgs Red 18-10. One of the major keys to that victory was the production from the bottom of the lineup. The last two batters, Ed Neumyer and Doug Chamlee, went a combined 7 for 8 and scored six runs.
Merrill Lynch Gray picked up a win, but it didn't come as easily as the team hoped. Going into the ninth inning, the Gray Bulls had a 20-8 lead over Trustco Bank Purple. But the Purple Banks wouldn't give up. Fifteen batters came to bat in the final frame and 10 runs crossed the plate. Dick Sessink began the inning with a single, followed by singles from the bats of Steve Collins, Erv Szewczuga, and John Abramo before Don Erb hit a double. After Ron Augenstein walked, Bill Rutan singled prior to the first out being recorded. Bill Evans and Joe DeForge each singled and Floyd Welton tripled in two more runs. Dick Sessink came up for the second time in the inning and walked. Steve Collins, who went 2 for 2 in the ninth, singled in the 10th and final run so the Gray Bulls held on for a 20-18 win.
There was a long list of players who hit inside-the-park homers this morning. The list included Al Andrews, Don Bercaw, Chris Constantine, Fred Dampier, Chuck Duff, Ed Kline, Jim Laffoon, Don LaMay, Ed Lupiani, Richard Moots, Harvey Rennie, Denny Shaffer, and Jack Valliere. Lloyd Hopper hit a grand slam inside-the-park homer for the WH Dodgers Navy in the opening frame of their game against Riverside Bank Black.
| Polk Therapy Green | 18 | Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold | 10 | |
| Jarrett Gordon Blue | 18 | Elvis' HounDawgs Red | 10 | |
| Merrill Lynch Gray | 20 | Trustco Bank Purple | 18 | |
| WH Dodgers Navy | 12 | Riverside Bank Black | 9 |
LEADING HITTERS:
Polk Therapy Green
Frank Miller - 4 for 5 with 1 triple & 1 double.
Richard Moots - 3 for 4 with 1 homer.
Randy Lane - 3 for 4 with 1 walk.
Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold
Ed Guspyt - 4 for 4 with 1 triple & 1 double.
Don Bercaw - 3 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 triple.
Ed Kline - 3 for 4 with 1 homer.
Vassurl Bess - 3 for 4.
Ron Thompson - 3 for 4.
Jarrett Gordon Blue
Ed Neumyer - 4 for 4.
Jim Laffoon - 3 for 3 with 1 homer & 1 walk.
Al Andrews - 4 for 5 with 1 homer & 1 double.
Doug Chamlee - 3 for 4 with 2 triples.
Elvis' HounDawgs Red
Chuck Duff - 3 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 triple.
Jaime Rivera - 3 for 4 with 1 triple.
Merrill Lynch Gray
Chris Constantine - 4 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 walk.
Elmer Wilcox - 4 for 4 with 1 triple & 1 double.
Bill McEllister - 4 for 5.
Jack Valliere - 3 for 4 with 1 homer, 1 double, & 1 walk.
Trustco Bank Purple
Ron Augenstein - 2 for 2 with 3 walks.
Don Erb - 3 for 4 with 2 doubles & 1 sacrifice fly.
Bill Evans - 3 for 4 with 1 walk.
WH Dodgers Navy
Ken Wilson - 2 for 2 with 1 double & 1 walk.
Cecil Vasquez - 2 for 2 with 2 walks.
Riverside Bank Black
Art Zakrowski - 4 for 4.
Jerry Noble - 3 for 4.
Larry Powell - 3 for 4.
Jerry Noble - 4 for 5.
Will Dick joined the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club today. He is a snowbird who lives in Hudsonville, Michigan. Welcome aboard, Will.
