May 2009 News Archive
 May 1st - For the first time since last year, there were only three teams this morning. However, there were 12 players per team so one person had to sit out on defense each inning. Only 11 can be in the field at one time.
The first team took the lead for good in the second inning and finished with a fury. They pushed across six runs in the last frame. In the first, Team One scored three on an opposite field inside-the-park homer by Ed Kline. Fred Ducham and Denny Shaffer had gotten aboard on singles beforehand. After the homer and two ground outs to shortstop Hector Marinacci, they loaded the bases on singles. Rusty Landahl, Reg Barnes, and Dave Podbielski each punched out base hits but advanced only one base at a time. They remained loaded after the next batter popped up to shortstop. Team Two took their only lead in the ballgame when they scored four in the first. Larry Powell lead off with a single but was forced at second on a fielder's choice grounder to rover Don Scarbrough. Hector Marinacci tripled in the first run and scored on a groundout to second base. Fred Dampier doubled up the middle. When the next batter hit a fly ball that was misplayed, Fred raced home. Two more singles scored the final run. Doug Chamlee and Larry Wells each singled but were left on base. Team One took the lead for good in the second when they put a five spot on the scoreboard. The big hits in the frame were doubles by Ed Kline and Don Scarbrough. The first team just dominated the offense in the three team game as they collected hits throughout the lineup. Rich Moots, hitting number nine, went 3 for 4. John Merritt, batting in the 10 hole, went 3 for 4 and scored each time he reached base. Joltin' Joe DeForge singled and scored in the seventh inning. Team Three were late bloomers. A total of 10 runs scored in the last two innings for the team. Walt Leggett and Marvin Taylor each had two singles in their last two at bats and they scored twice apiece in the final two frames. Ron Thompson went 4 for 4 this morning and is currently riding a 14 for 14 streak. Sam Lopez singled and tripled in the sixth and seventh, respectively, and ended the day with three RBIs. Inside-the-park homers were hit by Freddy Gonzalez, Ed Kline, and Larry Powell. 
LEADING HITTERS: Ron Thompson - 4 for 4 with 2 doubles. Walt Leggett - 4 for 4. Hank Gomez - 2 for 2 with 1 walk. Ed Kline - 4 for 5 with 1 homer & 1 double. Rusty Landahl - 4 for 5. Fred Dampier - 3 for 4 with 2 doubles. Al Andrews - 3 for 4. John Merritt - 3 for 4. Rich Moots - 3 for 4. Chuck Duff, Glenn Holland, and Jim Laffoon didn't play this morning and they all volunteered to work as umpires in the game. Thank you Chuck, Glenn, and Jim. Several players will be homeward bound after the game today. Fred Ducham is returning to Sanford, Michigan; Glenn Holland and Hector Marinacci are returning to Windsor, Ontario, Canada; Ed Kline is leaving for Mt. Vernon, Ohio; and Bob Lewis will be heading to Cheshire, Massachusetts. Take care and stay healthy, guys. May 5th - Just when it seemed the league had slimmed down to three teams, a flock of players showed up for the game and two fields were needed.
Jim Laffoon was on the mound for both teams in the close game on Fred White Field. The visitors held a slim lead after the finish of inning after inning and ended with a 24-20 win. The first four batters scored in the first. Ken Ota, Sam Harrell, Don Scarbrough, and Denny Shaffer each singled to begin the game. The last two runs scored on errors. The home team fought back with three in the first frame. Randy Lane started things with a base hit but was forced at second when the next batter grounded the ball to first baseman Joel Freedman. Ron Thompson, Freddy Gonzalez, and Rusty Landahl each singled after the force out. Bernie Mohan had a base hit but was stranded at first. The visiting third witnessed five runs. John Merritt and Joel Freedman both had base hits to begin the third. Skip Morrison drew a walk but was forced at second base. Denny Shaffer hit the first of two inside-the-park homers to drive in the final three runs. In the home seventh, Ron Thompson lined out to second baseman Carl Luebking to stop his consecutive streak at 18 hits. He singled in his last at bat to begin his next streak. Inside-the-park homers on Fred White Field: two by Denny Shaffer and one by Freddy Gonzalez. LEADING HITTERS: Freddy Gonzalez - 6 for 6 with 1 homer & 4 doubles. Denny Shaffer - 5 for 6 with 2 homers, 2 doubles, & 1 sacrifice fly. Rusty Landahl - 5 for 6 with 1 double. Ron Thompson - 5 for 6 with 1 double. 
Don Witmer pitched for both teams on Field D. The home team, piloted by Bob Zelazny, scored in every inning except the eighth. They took an early lead and held on until the visiting team tied the game in the seventh. After both teams were held scoreless in the eighth and the visitors were shut down again in the ninth, the good guys won it with a single from the bat of Bob Zelazny. Vassurl Bess, who reached base on a fielding error, scored the winning run after advancing to third when Sam Lopez singled. The home team began the game with a four spot. Sam Lopez singled with one out and scored on a Bob Zelazny triple. Dean Schapeler drove a sacrifice fly to right centerfielder Rich Moots for the second out. Walt Leggett, Dick Sessink, Larry Wells, and Bob Cooper had successive singles before the last out was recorded. The visitors reaped the benefits of the maximum five runs on timely hitting from the lineup. Rich Moots and Gene Baker singled before the first out was made on a strikeout. Reg Barnes singled in a run before Fred Dampier doubled in two more. Reg was cut down at the plate trying to score. Russ King and Doug McLellan singled, and a base hit by Larry Powell drove home the fifth run. Bob Zelazny, who had a steaming hot bat this morning, knocked a two run homer over the leftfield fence. Walt Leggett and Dick Sessink also scored in the inning. A base rap by Larry Wells scored the fourth and final run of the home second. Each time the visitors rallied and scored, the home team answered with enough runs to retain the lead at the completion of the inning. Both teams pushed across three runs in the third. The fourth frame displayed a goose egg for the visiting team while five scored for the home squad. The decisive hit in that inning was a triple from the bat of Bob Zelazny, the MVP of the day on Fred White Field. Bob finished with three triples and two homers. The visiting team never had the lead after each inning was complete but lead temporarily in the sixth and seventh when they put up five runs in each frame. Fred Dampier had a three run homer in the sixth and a run scoring double in the seventh. As mentioned earlier, Bob Zelazny hit two homers, with one sailing over the fence and Fred Dampier hit one inside-the-park homer. LEADING HITTERS: Bob Zelazny - 7 for 7 with 2 homers & 3 triples. Fred Dampier - 6 for 6 with 1 homer & 2 doubles. Reg Barnes - 6 for 7. Sam Lopez - 6 for 7. Dean Schapeler - 4 for 5 with 1 double & 1 sacrifice fly. Denny Shaffer played his last game in Winter Haven this morning. He will be heading back to Akron, Ohio. Take care and please return in the fall Denny. A new player joined the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club today. Bob Cooper is retired and came to the ballpark on a recommendation from Bob Zelazny. Welcome aboard, Bob. May 8th - None of the fans were headed for the exit signs for this three team game. It was a wild one! The second team scored the maximum runs in four of the six innings and topped it off with five in the unlimited seventh frame. But Team Three was not far behind.
While Team One was being shutout for the first three innings, Team Two began their offensive game with a multitude of hits. Pat Accetta singled, followed by a Ron Thompson double. With runners on second and third, a string of four straight base hits drove home four runs. Bob Zelazny, George Radlein, Walt Leggett, and Rich Moots all had singles. A base hit by Joel Freedman drove home the fifth run. Five more runs crossed home plate in the middle of the second. Pat Accetta tripled in Vassurl Bess after he singled. The second straight double from Ron Thompson produced a run. George Radlein tripled in two runs and Walt Leggett sacrificed George home. Team Three was down by eight runs heading into the bottom of the second. By the time the dust had settled, they were only two runs short of a tie. Carl Luebking and Jim Laffoon started things with base hits. The next two batters grounded out while one run scored. It wasn't looking too good for the home team. Dennis Holder and Sam Harrell had base knocks before the third out was booted by the defense. That opened the door for two more runs. John Merritt took advantage of the extended inning with an RBI single before the inning was in the books. Team One finally broke their dry spell with six big runs in the fourth frame. Randy Lane and Sam Lopez each singled. With two on and one out, Wally Granger drove a ball over the right centerfield fence for a three run dinger. Afterwards, Rusty Landahl, Eddie Diaz, Larry Wells, and Ed Neumyer all had singles. The hit by Ed drove in the sixth and final run of the fifth. Team Two just kept plugging away so the home team found themselves down nine runs when they came to bat in the fifth inning. With a "never say die" attitude, they banged out hit after hit. Carl Luebking and Jim Laffoon each had two singles in the fifth while Russ King, Dick Sessink, Sam Harrell, Larry Powell, Tom Snider, and Bill Spring all had base hits. Dennis Holder drew a walk during the huge inning. Team Three had tied with Team Two after the fifth inning was complete. A total of 10 runs scored for Team Two in the last two frames. Vassurl Bess was 2 for 2 and scored twice, Pat Accetta was 2 for 2 with a double and scored two times, and Ron Thompson and Bob Zelazny each went 2 for 2 with a double and scored one time apiece. Team Three came up two runs short. They pushed across a respectable eight runs in the last two innings but they were up against a powerhouse today. Wally Granger hit one out on Fred White Field and also hit an inside-the-park homer. Vassurl Bess and Bob Zelazny each hit one inside-the-park homer. 
LEADING HITTERS: Pat Accetta - 6 for 6 with 1 triple & 2 doubles. Jim Laffoon - 6 for 6. Joel Freedman - 5 for 5. Sam Lopez - 2 for 2 with 2 walks. Carl Luebking - 6 for 7. Ron Thompson - 5 for 6 with 3 doubles. Vassurl Bess - 5 for 6 with 1 homer. Russ King - 5 for 6 with 2 doubles. Dennis Holder - 4 for 5 with 1 walk. Rich Moots - 4 for 5. Walt Leggett - 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 sacrifice fly. Rusty Landahl - 3 for 4. May 12th - The three team game ended up being a low scoring affair for most of the game this morning. The final score was 14-11-4. A total of 12 runs for Team One came in the final three frames and Team Two scored six of their 11 runs in the last three innings.
After the first team was shutdown, Team Two put a three spot on the boards. Fred Dampier hit his first of three consecutive triples in the game. He scored on a Wally Granger single. Don Witmer doubled before Elvis Abney hit a sacrifice fly to drive Wally home. Rusty Landahl had an RBI single. With three runs already scored, Dennis Holder and Gale Doty each had base raps. The third out was recorded on a bases loaded, fielder's choice grounder to shortstop Ron Thompson. Team Three didn't have a dry inning in 
the first. Randy Lane and Carl Luebking each singled before Randy was forced at third. Sam Lopez walked to load the bases and Walt Leggett coaxed a walk to drive home a run. After the home team scored the lone run in the first, they wouldn't push a runner home again until the last inning.
Team Two took a temporary lead in the third when they managed two runs. Fred Dampier tripled and Wally Granger blasted a ball over the left centerfield fence for two runs. The bases were juiced when the third out was recorded because Don Witmer and Rusty Landahl both singled and Dennis Holder walked. Team One took the lead for awhile in the fifth when they scored five runs. Joel Freedman had a one out single and Joe DeForge walked. Joltin' Joe batted three times this morning and walked each and every time. He also scored twice. Way to go Joe. After Joe walked, Vassurl Bess and Pat Accetta each 
had base hits. The next batter flew out to left centerfielder Bob Zelazny. Ron Thompson was patient at the plate to draw a free pass. That walk drove home a run. Singles by Doug Chamlee and Sam Harrell rounded out the inning.
Team Two tied the score with the first squad when they scored two runs in the middle of the fifth. Fred Dampier tripled and scored on a Wally Granger deep sacrifice fly out to Jim McPartlan in rightfield. Don Witmer hit a gapper solo inside-the-park homer for the second run after Wally flew out. The first team took the lead for good in the sixth inning. George Radlein had a base hit to start the frame. The next two batters made outs before Joel Freedman singled and Joe DeForge walked. After that, Vassurl Bess walked and Pat Accetta doubled in two runs. A single by Dean Schapeler drove in the fourth and fifth runs. Team Two needed seven runs to tie the game in the seventh and final inning. Bill Spring had a one out single and Ken Ota singled. Fred Dampier drove a towering deep ball to rightfielder Sam Harrell for a sacrifice fly, scoring the runner from second base. Wally Granger singled and Don Witmer doubled after that second out. Elvis Abney and Rusty Landahl each had run scoring base hits. Four runs scored in the inning so Team Two fell three runs short of a tie. Team Three woke up in the seventh after drifting off from the second through sixth innings. Opposing pitcher Dennis Holder had held the home team to just one run in the very first inning. Then came the seventh inning. Bob Zelazny, Wayne Mundy, Sam Lopez, Walt Leggett, and Eddie Diaz all began with base hits. Eddie drove home the third run but was out later in the inning when opposing shortstop Don Witmer started a double play to end the game. The batter grounded the ball to Don, who took it unassisted to second base for the second out. He then fired to first baseman Rusty Landahl for the final out of the game. Wally Granger hit a homer over the left centerfield fence on Fred White Field and Don Witmer hit an inside-the-park homer. LEADING HITTERS: Don Witmer - 4 for 4 with 1 homer & 2 doubles. Fred Dampier - 3 for 3 with 3 triples & 1 sacrifice fly. Wally Granger - 3 for 3 with 1 homer & 1 sacrifice fly. Vassurl Bess - 2 for 2 with 2 walks. Pat Accetta - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Rusty Landahl - 3 for 4. Two prospective Winter Haven Senior Softball Club members tried out this morning. Bob Cooper and Frank Kiernan each played in rightfield. Bob and Frank - Please return and consider joining our league. May 15th - Cloudy skies mostly prevailed during the game this morning. The sunshine did peek through the cloud cover momentarily but stayed hidden for the benefit of the players. Thank you for the shade Mother Nature.
The three team game first appeared to be a sealed shut easy victory for Team One as they scored 10 runs in the first three innings and lead 10-2-1. Pat Accetta and Wally Granger began the game with base hits before clean up hitter Freddy Gonzalez drove a ball over leftfielder Randy Lane for a three run, inside-the-park homer. Sam Harrell and Eddie Diaz singled after that but were stranded on the base paths. It was more of the same in the top of the second. Wally Granger 
tripled and scored on a booted ball in the infield. Freddy Gonzalez doubled before Sam Harrell had a base knock to score two runs. Eddie Diaz, who had a 4 for 5 day at the plate, singled but was again left on the bases.
Team Two got on the boards with two runs in the 
second and they did it with only two hits. Joel Freedman singled The runner for Joel advanced to third after the next batter reached on an infield error. With runners on second and third, lead off hitter Reg Barnes connected for a two run base hit.
The first team continued their scoring with three runs in the third and three more in the fourth. Freddy Gonzalez and Eddie Diaz both banged out doubles and Lee Baker drew two walks. The home team, after scoring one run in the first on base hits by Randy Lane, Jim Laffoon, Doug Chamlee, and Dick Sessink, had their most productive frame in the fourth. John Merritt began the fourth with a base rap. After the next batter popped up to shortstop Don Witmer, five straight singles were produced from the bats of Randy Lane, Walt Leggett, Jim Laffoon, Gary Timbes, and Doug Chamlee. A total of five runs scored in the inning but they were still down six to the leading team after three outs were in the books. Team One went dry in the fifth and sixth frames and that gave the other two teams time to gain ground. Fred Dampier started the middle of the fifth with a single and Sam Lopez walked. Incidentally, Sam has walked seven times during the off season and is tied with Joe DeForge. Joe walked for the seventh time in the fourth inning today. The walks to Sam and Joe broke the three way tie of six walks. Skip Morrison didn't play today and is holding at six walks during the off season. After Sam walked, Don Witmer had a base hit to score Fred, followed by a single from George Radlein. The next batter grounded out but Sam scored on the play. A base hit by Joel Freedman drove home a run. Hits by Richard Marino, Joltin' Joe DeForge, and Reg Barnes produced a run but Richard was cut down at the plate for the third out, thus ending the rally. Two runs scored in the middle of the sixth and and middle of the seventh but the team fell short by four runs to the top team. They did, however, win their game, since they scored 10 and allowed nine while on defense. George Radlein improved his record to 5-2 with the victory. Inside-the-park homers were hit on Fred White Field by Fred Dampier and Freddy Gonzalez. LEADING HITTERS: Freddy Gonzalez - 4 for 4 with 1 homer, 3 doubles, & 1 sacrifice fly. Wally Granger - 4 for 5 with 2 triples. Eddie Diaz - 4 for 5 with 1 double. Fred Dampier - 3 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 walk. Doug Chamlee - 3 for 4. Two players from the Lakeland Senior Softball program played this morning. They are considering joining the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club. Ron Salyer and Gary Timbes are residents of Plant City. Thank you for playing today, Ron and Gary, and please join.  May 19th - The games were cancelled this morning. It rained so much that every diamond was deemed unplayable.
More rain is expected as the forecast calls for 90% chance of rain today. The high is predicted to reach a cool 75° F. Now is a good time to post the leaders during the off-season. Note: The categories with an asterisk indicates that leaders must have played at least one half of the total games. Pat Accetta, Lee Baker, Joe DeForge, Sam Harrell, and Larry Wells have played all 13 games in the off-season. As always, the statistics are only as accurate as the score sheets.
* Must have played over one half of the games. One more note: The statistics are only as accurate as the score sheets. There seems to be a need for the players to learn how to keep score. An outline has been created as a learning tool for score keeping. Hopefully, there will be enough interest so that a brief class can be taught next week. Please express your desire to attend this class to Fred Dampier so there will be enough handouts for everyone. It shouldn't take over 15 minutes and it probably will be scheduled during batting practice before the games next week. May 21st - Thursday - Board of Director member Sam Harrell was notified by the Winter Haven Parks Department that the DiamondPlex fields need to remain undisturbed for another day. The diamonds have absorbed excessive water from the downpours in the area the past few days.
Since there are no games tomorrow for the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club, the players have a second consecutive rest day from softball. Hopefully, everything will be ready to go on Tuesday and the weather will cooperate. May 22nd - The games have been cancelled in Lakeland on Monday, May 25th. The fields need to continue to dry out and there will be no one to unlock the gate on this Memorial Day holiday.
Yet another day off for the players. May 26th - Not every field was in playing condition, but the Winter Haven Parks Department grounds crew prepared two diamonds for the games this morning. Thank you grounds crew.
Everyone was so hungry to play softball after the week layoff that a total of 36 players arrived at the old ball park. Joel Freedman and Don Witmer decided to set up four teams of nine players per squad. One player on each batting team had to fill in on defense. Hats off to Joel Freedman and Don Witmer for balancing the teams because there were two close games today. Field B was used for the game that pitted pitcher George Radlein against Dick Sessink. The home team 
took charge in the third and was holding a 12-8 lead after the completion of four innings of play. The five run third inning assured them of being two runs ahead.
Wayne Mundy began with a triple and scored on a double from the bat of Dick Sessink. Dick ended the contest with four doubles en route to a 6 for 6 day at the plate. Dick advanced to third on a two out single by Pat Accetta. A single by Bob Cooper and a double by Lee Baker drove in three more runs. The last run scored when Randy Lane reached base. Four more crossed the plate in the home fourth. Bob Zelazny and Wayne Mundy singled their way on base before Wally Granger tripled both base runners home. Another double by Dick Sessink knocked in Wally. Dick scored on successive singles by Elvis Abney and Pat Accetta. The visitors fought back in the fifth to take a temporary lead. Larry Powell rapped a base hit and Gary Timbes walked 
to push Larry to second. A deep double by Brent Alumbaugh scored both team mates. Bob Christiansen singled after the Alumbaugh double and finished the day with seven singles in seven trips to the plate. George Radlein reached base followed by an RBI single by Doug Chamlee. Five runs scored, which gave the visiting team a 13-12 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth.
The good guys came back with three runs to regain the lead. Lee Baker, Randy Lane, and Wally Granger each had base hits while Dick Sessink punched out his third of four doubles. The visitors charged back with the lead again as they scored five runs in the sixth. Richard Marino singled to begin the frame and Gene Baker drew a walk. Gary Timbes had a one out single, Brent Alumbaugh doubled, and Bob Christiansen singled. A base rap by Ken Ota drove in the fifth run. The teams went back and forth. The visiting team would go ahead and the lead would be regained in the bottom of the inning. The visiting team needed two runs in the ninth to tie the game. A double by Gary Timbes, a triple by Brent Alumbaugh, and a single by Bob Christiansen was enough. The score was knotted at 23-23 heading into the bottom of the ninth. The first two batters made outs and the game was certainly looking like it was going to see the 10th inning. A dropped fly ball allowed Randy Lane to get aboard. Randy can really pick up some speed around the bases, but he was standing on first base with two outs in the books. Bob Zelazny dropped a hit into rightfield that skipped past the fielder and Randy began circling the bases. He beat the throw and was safe at home for the winning run. Brent Alumbaugh hit the only inside-the-park homer on Field B. LEADING HITTERS: Bob Christiansen - 7 for 7. Dick Sessink - 6 for 6 with 4 doubles. Brent Alumbaugh - 6 for 7 and hit for the cycle with 3 doubles. Ken Ota - 5 for 6. The game on Fred White Field was and exciting one to watch as it ended in a come-from-behind victory. The first four batters scored in the top of the first inning. Vassurl Bess and Ron Salyer both singled before the next batter reached on a dropped ball in the infield. Sam Lopez made them pay with a three run double. Two outs were recorded after that blast but it wasn't over yet as Rich Moots had a single to drove Sam home. The home team answered with a four spot. Fred Dampier connected for an inside-the-park solo homer with one out to begin the scoring for the team. Consecutive singles by Ron Thompson, Chris Constantine, and Bobby Ayers followed. After the second out was made, Joel Freedman and Jim McPartlan singled, with the hit by Jim being an RBI base knock. Both teams scored three in the 
second frame. Sam Lopez singled in two runs. He ended the day with six RBIs and drove in six of the first 10 runs the visiting team scored.
The third and fourth innings were flip flopped by the two squads. The visiting team pushed across three, then went scoreless. The home team had a zero and a three spot. Sam Lopez began the top of the fifth with a triple and scored when Eddie Diaz singled. After Eddie was forced out at second on a fielder's choice grounder and the next batter fouled out, Larry Wells drove a deep fly ball over defending left centerfielder Fred Dampier for an RBI double. The home team took the lead for the first time in the bottom of the fifth. After the first batter fouled out, Fred Dampier tripled, scored on a Ron Thompson double, Ron scored when Chris Constantine tripled, and Chris came home on a Bobby Ayers base hit. After five innings of play, the home team lead 13-12. The visitors responded with three to take a two run lead. Vassurl Bess and Ron Salyer each banged out doubles and Don Witmer hit an inside-the-park homer just out of reach of defending leftfielder Bill Walker. That was the last run they would score in the game. The good guys took the lead for good in the seventh when they managed four runs. Lead off hitter Reg Barnes doubled, followed by a single from Fred Dampier. Ron Thompson reached base and Chris Constantine doubled home two runs. It was 17-15 after seven innings of play. Four insurance runs crossed home in the next frame to seal the victory. Jim McPartlan singled to begin the inning. With one out in the books, Fred Dampier walked, Ron Thompson singled, Chris Constantine tripled, and Bobby Ayers had a base hit. Inside-the-park homers on Fred White Field were hit by Fred Dampier and Don Witmer. LEADING HITTERS: Sam Lopez - 6 for 6 with 1 triple & 1 double. Bobby Ayers - 5 for 6 with 2 triples. Ron Thompson - 5 for 6 with 1 triple & 1 double. Fred Dampier - 4 for 5 and hit for the cycle with 1 walk. Chris Constantine - 4 for 5 with 2 triples, 1 double, & 1 walk. May 29th - The last game date in May was called because the fields are too wet.
A large amount of rain swept the area last night around 10:00 PM. The infields of the five diamonds didn't have enough time to dry out. Let's try again on Tuesday. |
April 2009