January 2009 News Archive
 January 2nd, 2009 - With the season beginning on the next play date, the plans for this morning were to place everyone with their respective teams for a warm-up game. However, that didn't happen. The National League and the American League each played a three team game. The NL game took place on Field A and Fred White Field was the location of the AL contest.
Three inside-the-park homers were hit in the American League game this morning. Teammates Jerry Noble and Don Witmer tagged the ball into the far away outfield gaps while playing on Team One and Brent Alumbaugh did the same for the third team. The following is a list of first year players for the season:
Good luck, rookies. Hope you enjoy the season. 
NATIONAL LEAGUE
The first team managed to put up at least one run in every inning of the contest but didn't take the lead until the completion of the fifth inning. Team Two had the hot bats early in the game. Harvey Rennie, John Fulton, Lee Tomlinson, and Ron Carrothers all had singles before an out was recorded. Don LaMay laced a single to drive in the third and final run for the team. The first three hitters for Team Three scored in the opening frame. Floyd Welton, Fred Ducham, and Mitch Mitchell all crossed home plate after hitting safely to begin the game. Ron Augenstein, who went 3 for 3 with a double, also had a base hit. Ron has a streak of 13 for 13 in the past three games in Winter Haven. He has hit eight doubles in that span. Team One pushed across three runs on three hits in the second inning. Bernie Peterson and Sam Harrell singled and scored before a ball was booted 
in the infield. All three base runners ended up scoring but the only hit after the miscue was from the bat of Joe DeForge.
The second team continued where they left off after the first inning. Joel Freedman and Gale Doty began with base hits, remained at first and second when the next batter popped up to first base, and they moved up a base on a slow rolling nfield groundout. Harvey Rennie drove a run home with his second hit of the game. Erv Fitzke stepped into a pitch to his liking and tripled, driving in two runs. Singles by Lee Tomlinson and Ron Carrothers accounted for the fifth run of the second frame. At the end of two innings of play, Team Two held a comfortable 4-8-3 lead. Team Three jumped on the boards for a five spot in the third frame. An error allowed the leadoff batter to get aboard. After that, Ed Neumyer and Floyd Welton each singled, followed by a Fred Ducham double. That extra base hit knocked in two runs. Mitch Mitchell then singled and Ron Augenstein doubled, driving home a run. Jack Valliere lined a single to right centerfield for the final blow of the inning. As it turned out, Team Three would score only one more run in the game and that would come in the very next inning. A single by Ed Schmiedeke moved the runner, who had made it to first on a booted ball, into scoring position. A Les Wolff hit drove the runner home. Team One had a productive fourth inning. Sam Harrell, Gene Baker, Joe DeForge, Reg Barnes, and Bob Lewis all singled and scored. Five runs stepped on home plate and they all scored with two outs in the books. A base hit by Ron Thompson drove in the fifth run. Team Two was down by two runs heading into the middle of the fourth, but they had the lead after the inning was over. 
The top of the lineup came through once more. John Fulton had a single while Harvey Rennie and Lee Tomlinson rapped out doubles. Rich Palmer and Don LaMay also got into the fun as they each punched singles.
At the end of four innings, the scoreboard displayed a score of 10-12-9. The first team finally took the lead in the fifth, but only by a lone run. Frank Miller singled to open the frame and strolled to second when Walt Leggett drew a walk. Marvin Taylor lashed out his second of three hits in-a-row to drive in the first run. The next batter forced Walt out at third on a fielder's choice grounder. Sam Harrell drove in the second run with a single, and a hit by Jim McPartlan gave his team the lead for the first time in the game. Team One added to their new found lead in the sixth. Reg Barnes, Frank Miller, Walt Leggett, and Marvin Taylor all had timely base hits. The fifth run scored on a fielding error. The first team lead 18-12-9 when Team Two came up to bat. Harvey Rennie had his fourth hit in four at bats and scored his fourth run in the sixth frame. John Fulton also scored his fourth run. He smashed a triple in his turn at bat. Ron Carrothers, Rich Palmer, and Don LaMay also had singles in the sixth. The first team tacked on two insurance runs in the last frame. John Smith singled with one out in the books. He scored on a base hit by Gene Baker. LEADING HITTERS: John Fulton - 4 for 4 with 1 triple. Harvey Rennie - 4 for 4 with 1 double. Walt Leggett - 3 for 3 with 1 double & 1 walk. Ron Augenstein - 3 for 3 with 1 double. Frank Miller - 3 for 4 with 1 triple. Reg Barnes - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Lee Tomlinson - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Ron Carrothers - 3 for 4. Sam Harrell - 3 for 4. Don LaMay - 3 for 4. Bob Lewis - 3 for 4. Marvin Taylor - 3 for 4. 
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Team One jumped out of the gates with five runs while recording no outs during their hitting spree. Jerry Noble and Don Scarbrough opened the game with singles before Don Witmer banged out a gapper inside-the-park homer. After Don cleared the bases, Bob Zelazny and Tim Gallagher singled. A double by Denny Shaffer drove home the final two runs. The middle team also had a strong first inning. Carl Luebking lined a single over the outstretched arm of the rover, and a double from the bat of Al Andrews pushed Carl to third. Jim Laffoon connected for a triple to drive home two runs. Before the inning was in the books, Don Bercaw, Pierre Boissonneault, Larry Williamson, and Jerry Remington each had singles. The hit by Jerry knocked in the fifth run. The third team didn't want to be left out of the hitting clinic so they put five runs on the boards in the opening frame, too. After 
the lead off batter grounded out, Brent Alumbaugh and Russ King singled before Freddy Gonzalez doubled to right centerfield. Roger Edwards tripled in two runs and Fred Dampier singled to finish off the scoring opportunities.
At the end of one inning of play, the score was tied 5-5-5. Team Three kept the bats going in the second inning as well. Ron Butler, Bob Christiansen, and Bart Gongaware started off with singles but Bart was forced at second on a fielder's choice. After the first out was made, Brent Alumbaugh hit a inside-the-park homer to score three runs. Team Two produced their second big inning in the third frame. With one out recorded, Pat Accetta, Carl Luebking, and Al Andrews each had base hits before Jim Laffoon hit his second consecutive triple. A double by Wally Granger scored Jim from third. Little did they know, but Team Two would score only once after inning number three. The home team, batting seven left handers in a lineup of 12 this morning, wore out the opposition and scored throughout the batting order. The runs were spread out just about evenly, although Brent Alumbaugh scored four runs in four trips to the plate. It took just six innings to score 19 runs. Four scored in the sixth frame for the victors. Ron Butler and leftys Bob Christiansen, Ted Taylor, and Brent Alumbaugh accounted for the runs for Team Three's sixth. Team One was down by nine runs heading into the last inning. They made a valiant run at the lead and came up just three runs short. Jerry Noble banged out a gapper inside-the-park, three run homer after two batters reached base on fielding errors. Don Scarbrough followed with a triple and Bob Zelazny smashed a double. Tim Gallagher hit a liner single up the middle to score the sixth run. Incidentally, all six runs were unearned. LEADING HITTERS: Jim Laffoon - 3 for 3 with 2 triples. Ron Butler - 3 for 3. Bob Christiansen - 3 for 3. Russ King - 2 for 2 with 1 double & 2 walks. Pat Accetta - 2 for 2. Brent Alumbaugh - 3 for 4 with 1 homer. Don Scarbrough - 3 for 4 with 1 triple. Some more roster changes were announced before the season begins on Tuesday, January 6th. Jose Agosto was moved from the Marion Nelson Funeral Home Cardinals and placed with the Trustco Bank Astros. Ron Carrothers was moved from the Trustco Bank Astros to the Marion Nelson Funeral Home Cardinals. Bill McDonough was placed in the National League Pool. Ken Doxtater was moved from the Rusty's Relics Rockies to the Marion Nelson Funeral Home Cardinals. 
Ron Cerotzke returned from Arlington Heights, Illinois, Erv Fitzke returned from Elkhart, Indiana, and Bernie Peterson arrived from Rochester, Minnesota. Welcome back, Ron, Erv, and Bernie. Chuck Richmond joined the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club. He is from Lakeland and participates in their senior softball program. Also, Jack Hartery joined this morning. He is from Winter Haven. Welcome aboard, Chuck and Jack. January 6th - The 2009 Winter Haven Senior Softball Club season began this morning and the weather was absolutely perfect. The high temperature today is expected to reach 81° F but the temp at game time was around the 74° mark.
The scoring rules in the league limit a team to five runs per inning except for the last inning, which is unlimited scoring per team. The catch up rule states that a team down by more than five runs can catch up to the leading team rather than limit themselves to a five run inning. Several teams employed the catch up rule in the games today. In fact, one team on each field took advantage of the rule. In the National League game on Field A, Rusty's Relics Rockies pushed across six runs in the third frame to come within four runs of a tie. John Fulton and Walt Leggett connected for doubles in the big inning and Reg Barnes smashed a triple. Rusty's Relics Rockies were outgunned in their game against the Play It Again Sports Mets as the final score was 30-14. The Marion Nelson Funeral Home Cardinals tied the game in the fourth inning National League game on Field E" and eventually won against the Trustco Bank Astros. Six runs scored and the game tying hit was a two bagger by Gene Baker. The Jarrett Gordon Ford Rays scored nine runs in the fifth inning American League game on Field D. They batted completely through their 12 man lineup plus two more hitters. Hugh Lessard had a triple and Jerry Remington drove a double deep over the defending left centerfielder during the fifth frame. Only one out was in the books by the time the tying run crossed home plate. The Jarrett Gordon Ford Rays went on to chalk up a win in the three team game. The American League team Polk Therapy Athletics had a big seventh inning in their game on Fred White Field. Seven runs scored, although they were still down by five after the third out was recorded. The team went 7 for 10 in the seventh. Freddy Gonzalez and Don Bercaw each drove triples into the gaps of the outfield. Pool player Ed Gazarek hit a home run about 40' over the left centerfield fence on Field D with the Steven D Reddick, DMD Red Sox today. Inside-the-park homers were hit by Ed Kline for the National League Trustco Bank Astros. In the American League, Brent Alumbaugh hit an inside-the-park homer for the Ingram Financial Royals, Freddy Gonzalez for the Polk Therapy Athletics, and Fred Dampier for the Jarrett Gordon Ford Rays.
LEADING HITTERS: Play It Again Sports Mets Ron Augenstein - 5 for 5 with 1 triple & 2 doubles. Rich Palmer - 5 for 5. Jim McPartlan - 4 for 5. Otto Smith - 4 for 5. Wayne Mundy - 3 for 4. Rusty's Relics Rockies Reg Barnes - 3 for 4 with 1 triple. Walt Leggett - 3 for 4 with 2 doubles. Gene Morey - 3 for 4 with 1 triple. Marion Nelson Funeral Home Cardinals Don LaMay - 3 for 3 with 1 double & 1 walk. Ray DePalma - 3 for 3 with 1 walk. Ron Carrothers - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Ron Thompson - 3 for 4. Trustco Bank Astros Floyd Welton - 4 for 4 with 1 triple & 2 doubles. Jose Agosto - 4 for 4. Ed Kline - 3 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 double. Elmer Black - 3 for 4 with 1 triple. Florida Cardiology Tigers Don Witmer - 5 for 5 with 1 triple. Bill Ravo - 5 for 5. Don Scarbrough - 4 for 5. Polk Therapy Athletics Freddy Gonzalez - 4 for 5 with 1 homer, 1 triple, & 2 doubles. Don Erb - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Mike Tomasso - 3 for 4. Ingram Financial Royals Brent Alumbaugh - 4 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 double. Bill Rutan - 3 for 3 with 1 walk. Ed Guspyt - 3 for 4. Bill McEllister - 3 for 4. Jarrett Gordon Ford Rays Bob Christiansen - 2 for 2 with 1 double & 1 walk. Fred Dampier - 3 for 4 with 1 homer. Pat Accetta - 3 for 4. Larry Williamson - 3 for 4. Returning to the old ball field this morning were John Abramo from Friendsville, Pennsylvania; Bill Ayer from Windham, Connecticut; Ray DePalma from Rochester, New York; Don Erb from Boyertown, Pennsylvania; Jim Gillies from Windermere, Ontario, Canada; Hugh Lessard from St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada; Bill McEllister from London, Ontario, Canada; Bill Rutan from Columbus, Indiana; Bob Sciamanna from Grand Rapids, Michigan; Mike Stepp from Clinton, TWP, Michigan; Bill Triolo from Milford, New York; and Elmer Wilcox from Beals, Maine. Welcome back, John, Bill, Ray, Don, Jim, Hugh, Bill, Bill, Bob, Mike, Bill, and Elmer.  January 9th - The complete Winter Haven Senior Softball Club scheduled games were cancelled this morning, as all the ballplayers were previously notified during the past week. The SSUSA softball sanction is holding their annual "Tournament of Champions" at almost all the softball fields in Winter Haven, Auburndale, and Lakeland. Jose Agosto manages the Lakeland Angels, which is comprised of Winter Haven and Lakeland players. The Angels, a 65s team, qualified for the tournament and are scheduled to play at the Southwest Complex in Lakeland.
Please try to make it out to the park and support the Lakeland Angels. January 11th - Sunday - The Lakeland Angels, a tournament team consisting mostly of Winter Haven Senior Softball Club and Lakeland Senior Softball members, played in the SSUSA "Tournament of Champions" between January 9-11. They ended the tournament with an 8-1 record and won the 65 AAA division in the national tournament.
Winter Haven Senior Softball Club Members include manager/player Jose Agosto and players John Fulton, Hugh Lessard, Doug McLellan, Wayne Mundy, Ron Thompson, and Dick Wilhelm. The Angels fell to the losers bracket in the double elimination tournament with one loss on Saturday, January 10th. As a result, the team had to win or go home on Sunday. They played five games on Sunday and won all of them. The semi final game was the Angels fourth game of the day. Dick Wilhelm pitched and shutout the Minnesota team that was undefeated in the bracket. The final score of that game was 5-0 in favor of the good guys. The Lakeland Angels had to play the Minnesota team in the championship game since both teams had one loss apiece. The score was tied 6-6 heading into the final frame. The Angels scored an amazing 12 runs in the seventh to win 18-6. Before the tournament, Wayne Mundy was selected to play in the East-West all star game on Wednesday, January 7th. Lakeland Senior Softball player, left centerfielder Dick Binda, was named the MVP of the tournament and awarded a Miken Ultra II Legacy softball bat by the SSUSA organization. Named to the all tournament team were Bobby Allen, Dick Binda, Earl Black, Wayne Mundy, Larry Sweet, and Dick Wilhelm. Congratulations to all star Wayne, tourney MVP Dick, to the six all tourney players, and congratulations to manager Jose Agosto and the entire team! 
January 13th - The forecast has called for a 70% chance of rain today, but all the games were played without a drop of water falling on the fields. Before play was complete, the winds picked up to about 20 MPH gusts.
In the National League, Marion Nelson Funeral Home Cardinals won the football-like game score of 30-29 over Rusty's Relics Rockies. The Cardinals needed seven runs in the fifth just to bring the game to a 17-17 deadlock in the fifth. Lee Baker drove in the tying run. Ron Thompson connected for a triple during the rally. The American League game between the Steven D Reddick, DMD Red Sox and the Ingram Financial Royals came down to the wire. The Red Sox pushed across six runs in the seventh to creep closer to the Royals total score at the time. Pool player Dean Schapeler hit a gapper double to drive across two runs. The Royals tacked on two insurance runs in the ninth as they put a four spot on the scoreboard in the close game. Cal Leigh, Jeff Strode, Ed Guspyt, Jim Laffoon, Don Bercaw, and Bill McEllister all contributed with hits in the final frame. Inside-the-park homers were hit by Wayne Mundy and Ron Thompson in the National League. American League inside-the-park homers were hit by Pierre Boissonneault and Don Witmer.
LEADING HITTERS: Play It Again Sports Mets Ron Augenstein - 5 for 5 with 1 triple & 1 double. Bill Ayer - 4 for 5 with 2 doubles. Mitch Mitchell - 4 for 5. Rich Palmer - 4 for 5. Trustco Bank Astros Doug McLellan - 3 for 3 with 1 triple & 2 doubles. Elmer Black - 3 for 3 with 1 double. Ed Kline - 3 for 3 with 1 double. Jose Agosto - 3 for 4. Marion Nelson Funeral Home Cardinals Joel Freedman - 5 for 5. Ron Thompson - 5 for 6 and hit for cycle with 2 doubles. Don LaMay - 5 for 6 with 1 double. Rusty's Relics Rockies Elmer Wilcox - 6 for 6 with 5 doubles. Reg Barnes - 5 for 6 with 1 double. Rusty Landahl - 5 for 6. Ingram Financial Royals Ed Guspyt - 5 for 5 with 2 doubles. Bob Zelazny - 5 for 5 with 1 triple. Jim Laffoon - 3 for 4 with 1 triple, 1 double, & 1 walk. Bill McEllister - 3 for 4 with 1 walk. Steven D Reddick, DMD Red Sox Dean Schapeler - 5 for 5 with 2 doubles. Jim Reid - 1 for 1. Joe D'Herin - 3 for 4 with 1 sacrifice fly. Jarrett Gordon Ford Rays Fred Dampier - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Florida Cardiology Tigers Mike Stepp - 4 for 4 with 1 walk. Don Witmer - 3 for 4 with 1 homer, 1 double, & 1 walk. Marshall Bloom - 3 for 4. Mike Urell - 3 for 4. Polk Therapy Athletics Don Erb - 4 for 4 with 1 triple & 1 double. Volunteer umpire and former player Earl Hawthorne returned from Newport, Maine. Also, Bob Lundquest returned from Marion, Ohio. Welcome back, Earl and Bob. One roster move was made before the game today. Rusty Landahl was moved from the pool to Rusty's Relics Rockies. January 16th - A cold front blew into Florida and the temperature at 9:00 AM this morning was sitting at 49° F. That's a bit cool for this area and we all hope this winter weather doesn't continue to chill our bones.
Play It Again Sports Mets upped their record to 3-0 with some powerful hitting on Field E. Four inside-the-park homers were hit for the team as they topped Rusty's Relics Rockies 36-21. The two undefeated American League teams squared off on Field D. The Florida Cardiology Tigers came out on top by a score of 29-26 against the Ingram Financial Royals. In the National League, Bernie Peterson slammed two inside-the-park homers. Bill Ayer and Otto Smith hit one each. All four players are teammates on the Play It Again Sports Mets. Freddy Gonzalez of the Polk Therapy Athletics hit two dingers and Florida Cardiology Tigers player Don Witmer hit one inside-the-park homer in the American League. Ron Augenstein extended his astounding hitting streak to 27 for 27 after he went 4 for 4 today. Included in the hitting streak, which began on December 26th, are 12 doubles and two triples. Ron is a member of the potent Play It Again Sports Mets.
LEADING HITTERS: Trustco Bank Astros Floyd Welton - 4 for 4 with 1 triple. Dave Podbielski - 4 for 4 with 2 doubles. Jose Agosto - 4 for 4 with 1 double. Randy Hill - 3 for 3 with 3 doubles & 1 walk. Dick Sessink - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Marion Nelson Funeral Home Cardinals Ron Carrothers - 4 for 4. Ron Thompson - 3 for 4 with 1 triple & 1 double. Play It Again Sports Mets Frank Miller - 6 for 6 with 2 doubles. Bernie Peterson - 5 for 5 and hit for cycle with 2 homers & 1 walk. Ron Augenstein - 4 for 4 with 1 double, 1 walk, & 1 sacrifice fly. Fred Ducham - 5 for 6. Rusty's Relics Rockies Elmer Wilcox - 4 for 5 with 1 double & 1 walk. Florida Cardiology Tigers Don Witmer - 5 for 6 with 1 homer & 2 doubles. Carl Luebking - 5 for 6. Dick Mahon - 3 for 4 with 1 triple & 2 walks. Ingram Financial Royals Jim Laffoon - 4 for 5 with 1 double & 2 walks. Polk Therapy Athletics Don Erb - 5 for 6 with 1 triple & 2 doubles. Ted Taylor - 3 for 4 with 1 triple & 2 walks. Steven D Reddick, DMD Red Sox Roger Edwards - 3 for 3 with 1 triple & 2 walks. Joe D'Herin - 4 for 5 with 3 doubles. Al Andrews - 4 for 5 with 1 triple & 1 double. Pierre Boissonneault - 3 for 4 with 1 walk. Jim Gillies - 3 for 4. Jarrett Gordon Ford Rays Jerry Remington - 5 for 5. Fred Dampier - 4 for 5 with 2 doubles. Roster moves were made in the American League this morning. Bob Douglas and Max Meinel were removed from the Polk Therapy Athletics and placed into the pool. Jeff Strode was removed from the Ingram Financial Royals because of doctor's orders. Bill Cook arrived from Crestwood, Kentucky. He is in the pool but will be unable to play this season because he underwent rotator cuff repair surgery. Welcome back, Bill, and please return to play in 2010. Dennis Holder joined the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club this morning and was placed with the Polk Therapy Athletics. Dennis is retired and lives in Winter Haven. He is originally from Warsaw, Indiana. Welcome aboard, Dennis. January 20th - A brisk wind, with gusts up to 27 MPH, caused the temperature to seem even colder than the dropping thermometer indicated. The low tonight is predicted to dip to 30° F. The outfielders were earning their pay today as a fly ball flew in one direction the first time and a completely different direction the next time it was hit.
The last team with an unblemished record in the National League joined the ranks of the defeated this morning. Play It Again Sports Mets fell to Marion Nelson Funeral Home Cardinals in a close match on Field A. The Mets began with five runs in the first to take a 5-3 lead after one inning of play was in the books but were then held scoreless in the second and third innings. The duel zeroes gave the Cardinals a chance to get back into the game. One run crossed the plate in the second and two in the third. A timely hit by Mitch Mitchell drove home the tying and lead run. The Cardinals regained the lead with two runs in the fourth. Harvey Rennie and Marvin Taylor each had an RBI single in the frame. As the game continued, the score went back and forth and the four run eighth for the Cardinals was needed to take the lead once more. Gene Baker and Ron Cerotzke each connected for singles and scored important runs during the time. Sam Harrell, perfect at the plate with a 5 for 5 performance today, had an RBI hit and so did Ray DePalma. The Mets tied it in the ninth at 18-18 when two runs crossed the plate. Frank Miller and Bernie Peterson each had doubles in the last frame and Bill Ayer drove in the tying run with a base hit. Needing one run to win, Ron Carrothers drew a one out walk and pool player Elvis Abney crushed a double to drive in the winning run. The Ingram Financial Royals sent a message to the rest of the American League in their three team game today on Field D. They scored the maximum five runs in every inning they batted. Only six outs were logged in the score sheet during the six innings the Royals came to the plate. Five hitters in the lineup each batted 1.000 this morning. Overall, the Royals scored 30 of the 90 total runs scored in the five team American League. Randy Hill of the Trustco Bank Astros hit an inside-the-park homer in the National League. Don Bercaw, a pool player chosen by the Jarrett Gordon Ford Rays and Ingram Financial Royals manager Bob Zelazny hit inside-the-park homers in the American League. Florida Cardiology Tigers power hitter Don Scarbrough drove a home run over the right centerfield fence on Fred White Field.
LEADING HITTERS: Marion Nelson Funeral Home Cardinals Sam Harrell - 5 for 5 with 1 double. Ray DePalma - 3 for 4 with 1 walk. Harvey Rennie - 3 for 4. Play It Again Sports Mets Frank Miller - 4 for 5 with 2 doubles. Jim McPartlan - 4 for 5. Mitch Mitchell - 4 for 5. Trustco Bank Astros Floyd Welton - 4 for 5. Randy Hill - 3 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 triple. Dave Podbielski - 3 for 4. Florida Cardiology Tigers Bill Ravo - 5 for 5 with 3 doubles. Mike Stepp - 4 for 4 with 1 walk. Denny Shaffer - 4 for 5 with 1 triple & 1 double. Mike Urell - 4 for 5 with 1 triple. Don Witmer - 4 for 5 with 1 triple. Don Scarbrough - 3 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 walk. Jarrett Gordon Ford Rays Ken Wilson - 3 for 4 with 1 triple & 1 walk. Jerry Remington - 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 sacrifice fly. Steven D Reddick, DMD Red Sox Al Andrews - 3 for 4 with 2 doubles. Polk Therapy Athletics Don Erb - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Russ King - 3 for 4. Ted Taylor - 3 for 4. Mike Tomasso - 3 for 4. Ingram Financial Royals Bob Zelazny - 4 for 4 and hit for cycle with 1 walk. Dean Schapeler - 4 for 4 with 2 triples & 1 double. Bill McEllister - 4 for 4 with 2 triples. Jim Laffoon - 2 for 2 with 1 triple & 3 walks. Brent Alumbaugh - 2 for 2 with 2 walks. Ed Guspyt - 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 walk. Bob Christiansen - 3 for 4 with 1 double. A new player joined the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club. Bill Charles is a snowbird who resides in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio during the summer months. He has been placed on the Rusty's Relics Rockies team. Welcome aboard, Bill. January 23rd - The cold front finally vacated the area and the high today is predicted to reach 71° F. With just a trace of a wind factor, the air was calm and it felt very warm.
In the National League, Rusty's Relics Rockies found the win column this morning as they defeated the Marion Nelson Funeral Home Cardinals 21-15. The burden has been lifted off the shoulders of manager Reg Barnes, who has been doing his best to win. It took until the fourth inning for the Rockies to capture the lead, but after they did, the team held on for dear life. Five runs scored in the fateful fourth frame. Sponsor and owner Rusty Landahl started things off with a double, then Lee Tomlinson and pool player Erv Fitzke followed suit with singles. Bill Evans and Elmer Wilcox topped off the rally with RBI base hits. The Cardinals fought back but their best innings were already behind them. Three runs scored in the sixth on singles by Ron Carrothers, Joel Freedman, and Gene Baker along with doubles from the bats of Ron Thompson and Marvin Taylor. The Rockies got those three runs back plus one more in the seventh frame. Elmer Wilcox, Rusty Landahl, and Erv Fitzke each contributed with singles while Walt Leggett and Jack Valliere banged back-to-back doubles. With the victory by the Rockies, there are no more teams who are chasing their first win. In the American League, the Ingram Financial Royals earned a tough win against the Polk Therapy Athletics. The Royals chalked up eight runs in the second to come within one run of a tie after the Athletics jumped out of the gates with four runs in the first and five in the second. Every batter in the Royals order batted and three players came to the plate twice in the huge inning. Three straight singles began the bottom of the frame. Bill McEllister, pool player Dean Schapeler, and Cal Leigh each popped base hits. The first out was made when Bill was forced out at home on a grounder that was hit to shortstop Don Erb. After the single by Cal, Larry Wells smashed a bases clearing double, driving in three runs. A single by Ed Guspyt and doubles by Jim Laffoon and Bob Zelazny followed. Bill McEllister and Dean Schapeler, both batting for the second time in the inning, belted RBI singles. The eight runs deflated the Athletics as they went scoreless for the next three innings and gave up the lead for good in the meantime. The Steven D Reddick, DMD Red Sox jumped ahead of two teams in the standings with a win in the three team contest on Fred White Field. The Jarrett Gordon Ford Rays dropped their fourth straight game and fell to the cellar. Inside-the-park homers were hit by Otto Smith of the Play It Again Sports Mets and Trustco Bank Astros player Randy Hill in the National League. Art Zakrowski of the Polk Therapy Athletics and Steven D Reddick, DMD Red Sox player Joe D'Herin hit inside-the-park homers in the American League.
LEADING HITTERS: Rusty's Relics Rockies Elmer Wilcox - 4 for 5 with 1 double. Rusty Landahl - 3 for 4 with 1 triple & 1 double. Reg Barnes - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Jack Valliere - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Marion Nelson Funeral Home Cardinals Joel Freedman - 4 for 4. Ron Thompson - 3 for 4 with 2 doubles. Sam Harrell - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Marvin Taylor - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Gene Baker - 3 for 4. Play It Again Sports Mets Jim McPartlan - 5 for 5. Rich Palmer - 4 for 5 with 1 triple & 1 double. Trustco Bank Astros Floyd Welton - 5 for 5 with 1 triple. Ed Kline - 5 for 5 with 1 double. Randy Hill - 3 for 4 with 1 homer, 1 triple, 1 double, & 1 sacrifice fly. Ingram Financial Royals Larry Wells - 5 for 5 with 2 doubles. Ed Guspyt - 4 for 5 with 1 double & 1 walk. Polk Therapy Athletics Art Zakrowski - 5 for 5 with 1 homer. George Radlein - 4 for 5. Steven D Reddick, DMD Red Sox Joe D'Herin - 3 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 double. Pierre Boissonneault - 3 for 4. Jarrett Gordon Ford Rays Hugh Lessard - 4 for 5. Fred Dampier - 3 for 4. Jerry Remington - 3 for 4. Florida Cardiology Tigers Don Scarbrough - 4 for 4 with 1 double. Denny Shaffer - 3 for 3 with 1 double. Bill Ravo - 3 for 4. One roster move was made this morning. Bill Charles was moved from the Rusty's Relics Rockies and placed with the Play It Again Sports Mets. January 27th - The sixth game of the 25 game season was played today and it appears, at this time, the four team National League is scoring almost as many runs as the five team American League. A total of 511 runs have crossed the plate in the American League and, close behind, is the National League with 497 runs. That is just another interesting and useless fact for all the statisticians in the crowd.
Play It Again Sports Mets took care of Trustco Bank Astros 23-15 to hold a narrow one game lead over Marion Nelson Funeral Home Cardinals, who were winners against Rusty's Relics Rockies. The Rockies held their own for most of the game and kept it close until the Mets erupted for five runs in both the seventh and eighth frames. Ron Augenstein began the seventh for the Mets with a base rap and Bernie Peterson followed with an inside-the-park homer for the first two runs of the inning. After the dinger, Rich Palmer drew a free pass before Bill Ayer singled him to second. The next batter reached on a misplayed ball. Otto Smith made them pay for their blunder with a two run single. The fifth run scored when Ed Shcmiedeke drew a bases loaded walk. The eighth for the Mets was just as productive and the first two batters, both pool players, duplicated the actions of the previous inning. Elvis Abney singled and Erv Fitzke hit an inside-the-park homer. After that, lead off hitter Fred Ducham singled and Ron Augustine sent him home with a triple. Bill Ayer drove in the fifth run with a base hit. In the other National League game, the Cardinals came out on top on Field A. Marvin Taylor, the pitcher for the Cardinals, pitched almost flawlessly in the fourth through the ninth inning. The only speed bumps occured when one scored in the fourth and one in the seventh inning. The first through the third frames for the Astros were a completely different story. The maximum amount of runs scored in each of the first three innings. Jose Agosto, Elmer Black, and Floyd Welton loaded the bases with three straight singles to begin the contest. That set the table for a sacrifice fly from the bat of clean up hitter Ed Kline. A double by Randy Hill followed, scoring two runs. Patient Joe DeForge walked and advanced to second when the next batter flew out. Doug Chamlee doubled home the fifth run. The second inning for the Astros witnessed five more runs step on home plate. John Smith, Dick Sessink, Bob Sciamanna, and Jose Agosto each produced singles while Floyd Welton and Ed Kline slammed triples. More of the same took place in the third frame. Joe DeForge, Dave Podbielski, John Smith, and Doug McLellan each singled and scored. Randy Hill doubled and crossed home plate for a run. The American League game on Fred White Field pitted the first place Florida Cardiology Tigers against the second place Ingram Financial Royals. When the game was over, the last remaining undefeated team had a loss and there was a two way tie for first. The Tigers just couldn?t get their hitting shoes tightened until the final frame when they scored six runs. Down 20-6 heading into the home ninth, Tigers manager Denny Shaffer singled. With one out in the books, Ron Butler, Marshall Bloom, and Mike Stepp each had base knocks. The second out followed the string of hits. The game ended when Royals pitcher Larry Powell struck out a dangerous hitter. Inside-the-park homers were hit in the National League by Erv Fitzke, Frank Miller, and Bernie Peterson. Erv is a pool player and Frank and Bernie are on the potent Play It Again Sports Mets roster. Today, Erv played with the Mets. American League inside-the-park homers were hit by Don Witmer of the Florida Cardiology Tigers, Fred Dampier of the Jarrett Gordon Ford Rays, and pool player Bob DiPietro, who also played with the Rays this morning.
LEADING HITTERS: Marion Nelson Funeral Home Cardinals Harvey Rennie - 4 for 4. Don LaMay - 3 for 3 with 2 walks. Sam Harrell - 4 for 5. Joel Freedman - 3 for 4. Marvin Taylor - 3 for 4. Trustco Bank Astros Dick Sessink - 2 for 2 with 2 walks. Floyd Welton - 4 for 5 with 1 triple & 1 double. Doug Chamlee - 4 for 5 with 2 doubles. Randy Hill - 3 for 4 with 3 doubles & 1 walk. Ed Kline - 3 for 4 with 1 triple & 1 sacrifice fly. Dave Podbielski - 3 for 4 with 1 walk. Play It Again Sports Mets Bernie Peterson - 4 for 5 with 1 homer & 2 doubles. Mitch Mitchell - 3 for 4. Rusty's Relics Rockies Bob Lewis - 5 for 5. Les Wolff - 3 for 4. Ingram Financial Royals Bob Zelazny - 5 for 5 with 1 triple. Brent Alumbaugh - 4 for 5 with 1 triple & 2 doubles. Jim Laffoon - 4 for 5. Polk Therapy Athletics Ed Gazarek - 4 for 4 with 1 triple & 2 doubles. Ted Taylor - 3 for 3 with 1 walk. Jarrett Gordon Ford Rays Bob DiPietro - 5 for 5 and hit for the cycle with 2 doubles. Fred Dampier - 3 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 walk. Jerry Remington - 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 walk. Steven D Reddick, DMD Red Sox Joe D'Herin - 3 for 3 with 1 triple, 1 double, & 1 sacrifice fly. Vassurl Bess - 2 for 2 with 1 walk. Wally Granger - 3 for 4 with 2 doubles. Al Andrews - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Chris Constantine - 3 for 4. Jarrett Gordon Ford Rays player Angel Merced has had some recent medical problems. Please include him in your prayers. Jack Valliere has been moved from the pool and placed with Rusty's Relics Rockies. He took the roster spot of John Merritt, who went into the National League pool due to the number of games missed. Also, two other players were moved to the National League pool due to games missed. Bill Spring was on the Rockies and Joe Hissey was on the Play It Again Sports Mets roster. One player was placed into the American League pool due to games missed. John Stewart was on Polk Therapy Athletics. January 30th - The first month of the season ended on a damp note. The games were called off because of rain. The weather forecast calls for a 90% chance of rain in the area today. The rain was coming down this morning when the DiamondPlex park opened for business. Hopefully, everyone was notified this morning before they left for the old ballpark. Players - please make sure your manager has your current home number.
Any cancelled games will not be made up at a later date. Since there are no games to report, now is a convenient time to list the leaders after six games.
One roster move was made after the games on Tuesday, January 27th. Bob DiPietro was moved from the pool and placed with the Polk Therapy Athletics. Bob took the place of John Stewart on the roster. One player joined the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club. Don Keller resides in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, during the summer months. He played right centerfield for the Athletics on Tuesday, January 27th and batted 2 for 4 at the plate. He belted out a triple for one of his hits. Welcome aboard, Don. |
December 2008