November 3rd - The Florida air was noticeably cooler at the old ballpark this morning. The temperature at arrival time had dipped to 66° F. The high today is expected to reach only 77° F.
It was standing room only as enough players showed up that our Director of Field Maintenance, Sam Harrell, had to prepare three fields. Thank you, Sam. Your hard work is greatly appreciated.
| Diaz | 3 0 4 | 1 3 1 | 1 0 0 = 13 | ||||||||
| Palmer | 2 0 1 | 0 0 1 | 0 8 0 = 12 |
Rich Palmer made his highly anticipated return to the pitching mound today. He has been out of commission for several months due to some medical conditions. Although he didn't record the win, it was nice to see him back playing again.
Eddie Diaz was the opposing pitcher and he recorded the win. He also helped his cause with two base hits early in the game.
The visiting team pushed across their 13 runs throughout the nine innings. Ron Butler and Fred Ducham produced RBI singles in the opening frame to put their team ahead early. The same two players each drove home one run apiece in the third inning, too. Ron ended the day with four hits in five trips to the plate. One of the hits was a triple.
The lower half of the lineup did the damage in the visiting fifth frame. Dave Podbielski singled and scored. Joel Freedman drew a walk and his designated runner scored. Rich Moots banged out a run scoring single but was forced at second when the next batter grounded into a fielder's choice. Lee Baker came through with a base knock and drove in the third and final run of the fifth inning.
The home team had their woes early in the game and didn't come alive until the eighth inning. They were down 13-4 by the time the eighth rolled around. But the team didn't throw in the towel. They fought back and scored eight big runs to bring their team within one run of a tie. Frank Miller and Ron Thompson each went 2 for 2 in the inning and they each scored one run. Denny Shaffer walked and smashed an inside-the-park homer. Raymond Mills and Bert Snyder opened the frame with singles to begin the huge rally.
The home team had loaded the bases in the ninth but were unable to manufacture a single run and ended up losing by a score of 13-12.
| Granoski | 0 2 3 | 0 2 1 | 5 0 0 = 13 | ||||||||
| M.Taylor | 2 1 3 | 1 3 0 | 3 1 X = 14 |
The game on Field D went back and forth and was close the entire contest. The outcome wasn't decided until the bottom of the eighth inning when the home team scored one run to break the 13-13 dead lock.
In the first, after the leadoff batter and number two hitter made outs, Larry Nelson, who had a tremendous day at the plate, tripled to deep centerfield for a standup triple. Fred Dampier followed with an inside-the-park
homer to about the exact same spot in the outfield.
The second frame for the home team witnessed a solo shot by newcomer Neil Gelpi. His dinger was directed towards right centerfielder Erv Fitzke.
The visiting team got on the board initially in the second frame. Ken Ota singled to drive home Wally Granger, who had singled. The pinch runner for Ted Granoski advanced to third on the hit. Ted had walked to get aboard. The second run scored when Rusty Landahl had a base hit.
By the time the bottom of the fifth inning approached, the score was tied at 7-7. Doug Chamlee singled but was forced out at second when the next batter grounded into a fielder's choice to third baseman Elvis Abney. Sam Harrell followed with a base hit and scored and so did Gene Morey. Three runs had came across the plate to give the home team a 10-7 lead half way through the game.
The big rally in the visiting seventh tied the score at 13-13. Elvis Abney singled and Don Scarbrough, who was perfect with a 5 for 5 performance, followed with a base hit to open the frame. Elvis was forced out at third when Mike Stepp pulled the ball down the line to third baseman Ed Kline. After Wally Granger walked, Ted Granoski hit a fly ball deep enough to sacrifice home a run. Afterwards, Ken Ota, Rusty Landahl, Tom Wise, and Marshall Bloom each connected for singles.
The winning run occurred when Larry Nelson blasted his second triple of the day and scored on a hit by Fred Dampier. Larry finished the day hitting for the cycle with two triples.
| Radlein | 5 5 1 | 1 0 3 | 0 0 4 = 19 | ||||||||
| Sessink | 1 0 0 | 1 0 0 | 7 1 4 = 14 |
The visiting team dominated right out of the box. They scored the maximum five runs for each of the first two innings. Lead off hitter Carl Luebking ignited both explosive frames. He started the game with an inside-the-park homer and, after the team batted completely through the lineup, Carl began the second inning with a single and scored the first run in that frame.
Now, let's go back to the first inning. After the Luebking homer, the next batter grounded out to shortstop Jim Laffoon before Brent Alumbaugh singled. Powerful Chuck Duff stepped to the plate and didn't hesitate to double home Brent.
Chuck scored when Doug McLellan popped out a base hit, followed by singles from the bats of Rich Marino and Bob Cooper. A two out hit by Joltin' Joe DeForge brought home the fifth and final run of the visiting first frame.
It took only six batters to score the five runs in the top of the second inning. Carl Luebking singled and the second hole batter
reached base on a dropped ball in the outfield. Both team mates scored when Brent Alumbaugh singled. It was time for Chuck Duff to do his magic with his bat again. This time, the big guy tripled. He scored on a Doug McLellan single and Doug raced around the bases from a well placed hit by George Radlein.
The home team was snake bit until late in the contest. When it was time for the home seventh, the good guys were behind by a score of 15-2. Yikes! It was time for some bat action. Angel Merced blasted an inside-the-park solo homer for a run and Dick Sessink singled before the opposing pitcher could recover from the shock of the last hit. Dick was forced at second when the next batter grounded into a fielder's choice play. The merry-go-round began turning after that out. Tom Bonds, John Smith, Les Wolff, and Ted Taylor each punched out base hits before Freddy Gonzalez connected for his second double of the day. Freddy ended up hitting for the cycle with two doubles. The two bagger by Freddy was the final hurrah of the seventh but the home team managed seven runs.
At the end of seven innings of play, the score stood at 15-9. The gap had been closed and the one-sided game had become a contest.
While the visitors were busy scoring four runs in the last two innings, the home team managed five. Both squads finished strong. For the visitors, Ted Taylor, Jim Laffoon, and Angel Merced all singled and came around to score, and Freddy Gonzalez doubled and scored. Dick Sessink and John Merritt also achieved base hits but were left on base when the inning ended.
The home team responded with four in the bottom of the ninth frame. Joltin' Joe DeForge singled and scored in the ninth as well as Carl Luebking and Bob Zelazny. Pat Accetta had gotten aboard on a misplayed ball in the outfield and he ended up scoring before the inning was complete.
LEADING HITTERS:
Larry Nelson - 5 for 5 and hit for the cycle with 2 triples.
Freddy Gonzalez - 5 for 5 and hit for the cycle with 2 doubles.
Don Scarbrough - 5 for 5.
Chuck Duff - 5 for 6 with 1 triple & 2 doubles.
Ron Butler - 4 for 5 with 1 triple.
Wally Granger - 3 for 4 with 2 doubles & 1 walk.
Ron Thompson - 3 for 4 with 1 walk.
Marshall Bloom - 3 for 4.
| DOUBLES: | Pat Accetta 2 (14), Vassurl Bess 1 (15), Chuck Duff 2 (19), Neil Gelpi 1 (1), Freddy Gonzalez 2 (72), |
| Wally Granger 2 (18), Jim Laffoon 1 (17), Bernie Mohan 1 (1), Larry Nelson 1 (3), Larry Wells 1 (21), | |
| Les Wolff 1 (1) | |
| TRIPLES: | Ron Butler 1 (3), Chuck Duff 1 (5), Freddy Gonzalez 1 (6), Rusty Landahl 1 (3), Larry Nelson 2 (2) |
| HOMERS: | Fred Dampier 1 (21), Neil Gelpi 1 (1), Freddy Gonzalez 1 (7), Angel Merced 1 (4), Carl Luebking 1 (4), |
| Larry Nelson 1 (1), Denny Shaffer 1 (3) | |
| WALKS: | Reg Barnes 1 (21), Tom Bonds 2 (6), Joel Freedman 1 (5), Neil Gelpi 1 (1), Wally Granger 1 (9), |
| Ted Granoski 1 (1), Jim Laffoon 1 (4), Jim McPartlan 1 (7), Denny Shaffer 1 (2), Bert Snyder 1 (2), | |
| Ron Thompson 1 (22) | |
| SAC FLYS: | Ted Granoski 1 (1), Rich Marino 1 (1), Tom Wise 1 (1) |
As mentioned earlier, Rich Palmer began playing again after a lengthy absence. Ken Ota returned to Winter Haven and Denny Shaffer arrived from Akron, Ohio. Dave Podbielski took the summer off and also returned to the old ball field. Welcome back Rich, Ken, Denny, and Dave.
Raymond Mills became a member of the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club today. He is from New Albany, Indiana and spends his summers there. Welcome aboard Raymond.
Neil Gelpi is a prospective member. Neil is new to the area. He was born in Long Island, New York and spent his adult years in Morgantown, West Virginia, home of WVU. Go Mountaineers! Also, Tom Wise played this morning. He is a member of the Lakeland Senior Softball program. Thank you for playing ball with the guys, Neil and Tom. Please return and join.
November 6th - The league was back down to five teams this morning, although there are enough players to easily support six teams. The reason for the decline from the last play date could be this is the weekend of the Florida Half Century tournament for the 60, 65, and 70 age group.
| Palmer | 0 1 0 | 3 5 4 | 0 = 13 | ||||||||
| Leggett | 4 0 2 | 0 0 1 | 1 = 8 | ||||||||
| Witter | 2 1 2 | 0 5 2 | 0 = 12 |
Team One started off slowly but finished with a bang for the victory in the three team contest.
In the first inning, only three batters came to the plate against opposing pitcher Jerry Witter and all three grounded out. The second frame was just a bit better. Freddy Gonzalez doubled and scored when Rusty Landahl punched out an opposite field single. Before the inning was in the books, Elmer Black and Ed Schmiedeke each had base hits but both were stranded on the bases.
The first team finally awoke in the fourth inning when they put three runs on the scoreboard. Sparkplug Freddy Gonzalez opened with a double before three straight singles from the bats of Rusty Landahl, Rich Palmer, and Elmer Black. Directly
after the first out was marked in the books, Ed Neumyer and Denny Duryea each connected for base hits. The hit by Denny drove home the third and final run of the fourth.
Freddy Gonzalez slammed an inside-the-park homer in the fifth. The dinger came after singles from Fred Ducham and Ron Thompson. Once again, Denny Duryea singled in the final run.
Team One also had a productive sixth frame. Four runs scored and all four were needed for the win after it was all said and done. Vassurl Bess and Rusty Landahl had doubles in the sixth.
Team Two had a great start. Four scored in the first but they would only match that number for the next six innings.
With one out in the opening frame, Ted Taylor and Ed Kline got on base for big hitter Bob Zelazny. Bob ate his Wheaties this morning and smashed a three run, inside-the-park homer. Team Two wasn't finished yet, though. Walt Leggett doubled and scored on a Pat Accetta base knock.
After a three up and three down second inning, the second team mounted a rally in the third. Ed Kline began with a base hit and raced to third after Bob Zelazny doubled. Walt Leggett produced again and singled in the only two runs for the team in the third.
The home team combination
of Frank Acevedo, Joe D'Herin, and Tim Gallagher put the team in the scoring column in both the first and third innings. Frank singled and reached base on an error and scored two times, Joe doubled twice and scored each time, and Tim drove both players home each time with a triple in the first frame and a single in the third.
The home team had one huge inning. They scored five runs in the fifth frame and that was enough to gain a one run lead over the first team at the time. Tim Gallagher began with a free pass. He has an eagle eye and is very selective at the plate. Most of his hits come when he has two strikes in the count. After Tim walked, the next batter reached base on a booted ball in the infield. Singles by Gene Morey and Marshall Bloom followed the miscue. Another infield error allowed Skip Morrison to get aboard. Rich Moots singled to load the bases. Three runs had already crossed the plate. Patient Frank Miller walked with the bases loaded to force in the fourth run and Frank Acevedo hit a ball down the third base line to drive in the fifth and final run of the fifth inning.
At the end of five innings, the score was 9-6-10. That was the last time the home team would have the lead after the completion of an inning.
Two more scored in the home sixth but they needed three to tie the game with Team One. At any rate, they gave it their all. The first batter reached base on a misplayed ball in the outfield and advanced to second when the next batter flew out to rightfield. A booted grounder in the infield allowed the following runner to reach base. In a perfect world, it would have been three up and three down. But people do make errors. The first run scored from third when Gene Morey grounded into a fielder's choice. A dropped ball in the outfield scored the second run of the sixth inning.
| Granoski | 5 5 5 | 1 0 0 | 2 0 1 = 19 | ||||||||
| Diaz | 4 0 3 | 4 0 4 | 5 0 X = 20 |
The visiting team brought some hot bats to the game on Field E. Hits mixed with walks jumpstarted the squad to a big lead early in the game. Marty Martinez and Mike Stepp both drew walks to open the game. A double from the bat of Jim Laffoon assured the two scored. With no outs and first base empty, Roger Edwards didn't see a pitch to his liking and took the walk to first base. A single by Russ King drove one run home before opposing pitcher Ted Granoski coaxed a walk. With one out recorded, John Smith drove home the fifth run with a sharp grounder past second baseman Carl Luebking.
The visiting team did better in the second inning because no outs were in the books after the five runs scored. Raymond Mills opened the second with a free pass before Les Wolff and Marty Martinez hit consecutive singles. The next two batters got aboard on infield errors, allowing Roger Edwards to drive home the final run with a deep liner to leftfield. The outfield was playing in because the fifth run was on third base.
The visitors just wouldn't let up and continued their hitting in the third frame. Russ King lead off with a base hit to the opposite field and Ted Granoski drew his second straight walk to get things going in the right direction. John Smith, Raymond Mills, and
Les Wolff all had base hits before Marty Martinez doubled. Mike Stepp singled in the fifth run.
After three innings of play, the visiting team had 15 runs while only two outs were recorded against them.
They put on their brakes after the explosive start. Only two more runs crossed the plate before the game was over.
The top four hitters for the home team scored 18 of the 20 runs. Neil Gelpi, Larry Nelson, and Fred Dampier each scored five runs apiece as they went 19 for 20. The lead off hitter, Carl Luebking crossed the plate three times.
Number three hole batter Larry Nelson hit for the cycle and his homer was a no doubter that sailed over the left centerfield fence for a three run blast. Larry ended the day with six RBIs. Fred Dampier had two inside-the-park homers and finished with seven RBIs for the day. Pitrcher Eddie Diaz did his job at the plate. He went 5 for 5 with a triple and drove home three runs.
Two nice defensive plays were made against the home team in the first inning. Doug McLellan drove a ball deep to left centerfield and, as he rounded the bases, Roger Edwards chased the ball to the fence. A perfect relay throw to shortstop Jim Laffoon gave him a chance to try to nail Doug at home. The throw was right on the money to catcher Les Wolff. Doug McLellan was credited with a triple after he was out at the plate.
The next batter, Eddie Diaz, drove a ball deep to right centerfield. Once again, Roger Edwards gave chase and corralled the ball at the fence. As Eddie circled the bases, Roger threw to Jim Laffoon, who threw a strike to catcher Les Wolff to cut down Eddie at the plate. Eddie was credited with a triple, too. Great hits Doug and Eddie were overshadowed by great plays from Roger, Jim, and Les.
LEADING HITTERS:
Larry Nelson - 5 for 5 and hit for the cycle with 2 triples.
Eddie Diaz - 5 for 5 with 1 triple.
Neil Gelpi - 5 for 5.
Bob Zelazny - 4 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 double.
Roger Edwards - 3 for 3 with 1 triple, 1 double, & 1 walk.
Fred Dampier - 4 for 5 with 2 homers & 2 doubles.
Freddy Gonzalez - 3 for 4 with 1 homer & 2 doubles.
Rusty Landahl - 3 for 4 with 1 double.
Russ King - 3 for 4 with 1 walk.
| DOUBLES: | Vassurl Bess 1 (16), Marshall Bloom 1 (2), Fred Dampier 2 (48), Joe D'Herin 2 (3), Fred Ducham 1 (5), |
| Roger Edwards 1 (23), Freddy Gonzalez 2 (74), Jim Laffoon 1 (18), Rusty Landahl 1 (9), Walt Leggett 1 (12), | |
| Marty Martinez 1 (1), Doug McLellan 1 (18), Rich Moots 1 (5), Larry Nelson 1 (4), Mike Stepp 1 (6), | |
| Bob Zelazny 1 (22) | |
| TRIPLES: | Eddie Diaz 1 (5), Roger Edwards 1 (8), Tim Gallagher 1 (1), Doug McLellan 1 (3), Larry Nelson 2 (4) |
| HOMERS: | Fred Dampier 2 (23), Freddy Gonzalez 1 (8), Larry Nelson 1 (2), Bob Zelazny 1 (10) |
| WALKS: | Reg Barnes 1 (22), Roger Edwards 1 (3), Tim Gallagher 1 (1), Ted Granoski 2 (3), Russ King 1 (4), |
| Keith Linton 1 (1), Marty Martinez 1 (1), John Merritt 2 (5), Frank Miller 1 (2), Raymond Mills 1 (1), | |
| Ed Neumyer 1 (1), Rich Palmer 1 (2), Mike Stepp 1 (1), Les Wolff 2 (5) |
The players from the north are slowly beginning to arrive in sunny Florida. Elmer Black returned from Howick, Quebec, Canada; Joe D'Herin pulled in from Dearborn, Michigan; and Keith Linton returned from Berry, Ontario, Canada. Welcome back Elmer, Joe, and Keith.
Neil Gelpi made it offical and joined the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club this morning. Angel "Marty" Martinez, a regular player in the Lakeland Senior Softball program and past Board of Directors member there, also joined today. Welcome aboard Neil and Marty.
November 9th - The monthly Florida Half Century tournament took place in Lakeland this past weekend. Two teams consisting primarily of players from the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club and Lakeland Senior Softball were winners of their respective bracket.
The Polk County Warriors, a 60s team managed by Larry Powell, went 3-1 to win their bracket. The team came from behind on two of their games to pull out the victory.
Polk County Warrirors team mates from the tournament include Al Andrews,
Dan Clevis, Fred Dampier, Regis Finnegan, Steve Huffman, Carl Luebking, Gary Merritt, Don Scarbrough, Bobby Scott, Larry Swearengin, Larry Wells, and Bob Zelazny. This was Larry Wells first Florida Half Century tournament and he came through with a home run. The ball sailed over the left centerfield fence on Field One at the Southwest Complex. Larry singled in the winning run in the bottom of the last inning for the team's third win.
The American Legion Post 8 tournament team in one of the 70s brackets went 3-1 this past weekend. The team won two of their games by the run rule.
Jose Agosto manages the team and the team members were Bobby Allen, Earl Black, Angelo "Cappy" Caporali, Doug Chamlee, John Fulton, Dick Leis, Gordy Mathison, Wayne Mundy, John Ormsby, Don Schroeder, Dick Sessink, Bernie Stearns, Ron Thompson, and Phil Velez.
Angelo "Cappy" Caporali was almost unstoppable at the plate. He had two triples and eight RBIs in the first game on Saturday and hit for the cycle in the second game. He crushed a home run over the fence at the Westside Complex for the homer portion of the cycle.
Congratulations guys!
November 10th - Semper Fi! Happy birthday to the United States Marine Corps and all the Marine veterans.
Two fields were occupied for the games this morning. A three team game was contested on Fred White Field. That game was complete after seven innings. The two team, nine inning game took place on Field E.
| M.Taylor | 1 0 4 | 0 0 5 | 3 = 13 | ||||||||
| Harrell | 0 2 3 | 0 5 0 | 2 = 12 | ||||||||
| Sessink | 0 0 5 | 0 1 5 | 1 = 12 |
The game went down to the wire on Fred White Field. If one more run had been scored, the turnout could have been a three way tie after the completion of regulation play.
Team One scored the lone run in the first frame. Bernie Mohan, who was moved up in the lineup probably due to his hot bat, singled with one out. He moved up one base when Joe D'Herin doubled down the leftfield line. The score sheet is sooooooooo confusing that it can't be figured out how the run scored. Bernie was out on a fielder's choice, probably
because he took off when Bob Zelazny hit the ball. But, somehow, Joe crossed the plate for a run. Hmmmmm . . . . . . . . It's getting time for another scorekeeping class, guys.
The home team got on the board in the second frame. Marshall Bloom led off with a base hit and raced to third when Sam Harrell got aboard on an infield error. After the next batter struck out, Joel Freedman and Gale Doty each singled. They both recorded an RBI on their hits. The inning ended on a ground ball double play. The ball was hit down the line to third baseman Pat Accetta. Pat threw the ball to second baseman Reg Barnes, who touched second and fired to first baseman Rusty Landahl to finish the inning ending twin killing.
The first team mounted a rally in the third frame to take a temporary lead. Leslie Jacobson singled in his inaugural at bat for the first of the team's five consecutive base hits. Four more hits followed by Bill Spring, Reg Barnes, Bernie Mohan, and Bob Zelazny. Four runs crossed the plate in the top of the third.
Team Two tied the score in their part of the third. Joltin' Joe DeForge led off with a hit and Rich Moots also got aboard but was doubled off when Frank Miller grounded into a double play.
A two run inside-the-park
home run by Ron Butler brought the second team within one run of a tie. Al Andrews took care of that as he also connected for an inside-the-park homer.
The home team had yet to score heading into the bottom of the third but they answered the bell with five runs. The score sheet in this inning was hard to decipher but Carl Luebking had an RBI double, Don Scarbrough singled, and Dick Sessink knocked in the fifth run with a double.
At the end of three innings of play, the score was knotted at 5-5-5.
The score didn't change until the middle of the fifth frame. Seven straight hits accounted for the five run inning. Frank Miller singled before Ron Butler doubled to begin the onslaught. Five base hits in-a-row finished the rally. Al Andrews, Marshall Bloom, Sam Harrell, Ed Schmiedeke, and Joel Freedman all achieved hits.
The home team stayed in the running for the win with a five run sixth inning. Denny Shaffer, Dick Sessink, and Ari Harris all connected for singles before Gene Morey drew a walk. John Smith singled afterwards. All five players went around to score.
The first team took charge of the game in the sixth and seventh innings. A total of eight runs scored. Joe D'Herin doubled and walked while scoring twice, Bob Zelazny doubled and singled and scored one time, and Marvin Taylor singled twice and scored once.
There was a triple play in the game this morning. The inning began with base hits from Gale Doty and Denny Duryea. With runners on first and second, Joltin' Joe DeForge hit into the triple play. No details to report (this recap is in jeopardy of sounding repetitive, but the score sheets didn't indicate how the triple play was executed) but Bernie Mohan said he took part in it. Bernie was the right centerfielder according to the score sheet.
| Radlein | 3 5 0 | 5 5 0 | 1 0 2 = 21 | ||||||||
| Diaz/Witter | 5 0 4 | 0 4 1 | 0 0 1 = 15 |
While the visitors spread their 21 runs throughout the lineup, only the top half for the home team were able to make it all the way around the bases.
Both teams opened the game strong. The visiting squad batted nine of the 11 in the lineup. Ted Taylor began with a walk and advanced to third after Dean Schapeler hit a two bagger. Larry Nelson drove a ball deep enough to the outfield to sacrifice Ted home, then Freddy Gonzalez hit a line drive in the direction of right centerfielder Rich Marino. Rich relayed the ball to shortstop Jim Laffoon. Jim fired home to Lee Baker and cut Freddy down at the plate.
With two outs in the books, Fred Dampier drew a walk. Singles by George Radlein and Walt Leggett scored Fred.
Vassurl Bess, Mike Stepp, Jim Laffoon,
and Neil Gelpi ignited the bottom of the first with single after single before Wally Granger launched a deep fly ball for a double. Jerry Witter drove in the fifth run with a base rap.
A sacrifice fly ball from the bat of Freddy Gonzalez scored two runs to give the visiting team five for the second inning. John Merritt had singled and scored beforehand. Also, Ted Taylor walked for the second time and crossed home plate when Larry Nelson doubled.
After the visitors were shut down in the third frame, the home team came within one run of a tie when they rallied for four in the bottom of the inning. Long balls from Jim Laffoon, a triple, and Wally Granger, a double, assured the team would get in the scoring column.
When the visiting team racked up five in the fourth and five more in the fifth, the spirits were almost broken for the good guys batting last. Ken Ota singled and scored two times and Walt Leggett reached base on an error and singled to score twice in those two innings for the visitors.
The last big inning for the home team occurred in the fifth. Neil Gelpi tripled to score Jim Laffoon, who had singled and Eddie Diaz drove a ball over rightfielder John Merritt for a two run inside-the-park homer, scoring Wally Granger before him. Wallly had a line drive single to leftfield before the dinger. Jerry Witter and Larry Wells singled but didn't score by the time the inning came to an end.
A nice defensive play was made in the top of the seventh inning. Wally Granger drove a ball that hit the fence in right centerfield on the fly. Fred Dampier collected the pill and fired it to cutoff man Larry Nelson. Larry threw to third baseman Walt Leggett, who applied the tag to Wally. Wally headed to the dugout to take a seat with his team mates but was credited with his third double of the day.
LEADING HITTERS:
Jim Laffoon - 5 for 5 with 1 triple & 1 double.
Joe D'Herin - 3 for 3 with 2 doubles & 1 walk.
Wally Granger - 4 for 5 with 3 doubles.
Walt Leggett - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
Larry Nelson - 3 for 4 with 1 homer, 2 doubles, & 1 sacrifice fly.
Freddy Gonzalez - 3 for 4 with 1 triple, 2 doubles, & 1 sacrifice fly.
Al Andrews - 3 for 4 with 1 homer.
Fred Dampier - 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 walk.
Dick Sessink - 3 for 4 with 1 double.
Bob Zelazny - 3 for 4 with 1 double.
Marshall Bloom - 3 for 4.
Bernie Mohan - 3 for 4.
Marvin Taylor - 3 for 4.
| DOUBLES: | Ron Butler 1 (6), Fred Dampier 1 (49), Joe D'Herin 2 (5), Eddie Diaz 1 (16), Freddy Gonzalez 2 (76), |
| Wally Granger 3 (21), Jim Laffoon 1 (19), Walt Leggett 1 (13), Carl Luebking 1 (10), Larry Nelson 2 (6), | |
| Dean Schapeler 1 (12), Dick Sessink 1 (10), Bob Zelazny 1 (23) | |
| TRIPLES: | Neil Gelpi 1 (1), Freddy Gonzalez 1 (7), Jim Laffoon 1 (13) |
| HOMERS: | Al Andrews 1 (4), Ron Butler 1 (4), Eddie Diaz 1 (8), Larry Nelson 1 (3) |
| WALKS: | Lee Baker 1 (22), Fred Dampier 1 (14), Joe D'Herin 1 (1), Gene Morey 1 (2), Bert Snyder 1 (3), |
| Ted Taylor 2 (3) | |
| SAC FLYS: | Freddy Gonzalez 1 (5), Leslie Jacobson 1 (1), Larry Nelson 1 (1) |
Quote of the day: Bernie Mohan, one of the fielders who took part in a rare triple play today, told Fred Dampier that was the first triple play he had ever been involved in. Fred's reply was, "Were you running the bases?"
Chris Constantine is still recovering from a recent operation and is unable to play. He volunteered to umpire along with Chuck Duff on Field E. Thank you Chris and Chuck.
Today marked the last playing date for Larry Nelson. He came down from Roseville, Minnesota to visit family and prepare for the SSUSA tournament in Fort Myers this week.
During his brief stay, Larry ended up batting at a .905 clip as he went 19 for 21. He finished with six doubles, four triples, and three homers. One of the round trippers flew over the fence.
Good luck in the tournament, Larry.
A new player showed up at the old ballpark to try out the morning softball league. Leslie Jacobson is from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Thank you for playing today, Leslie. Please return and join the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club.
November 13th - Friday the 13th went off without a hitch. Everyone stayed healthy and had a nice time at the old ball field.
| Diaz | 5 5 4 | 1 1 3 | 5 = 24 | ||||||||
| Witter | 0 0 3 | 0 3 1 | 5 = 12 | ||||||||
| M.Taylor | 0 4 2 | 1 0 2 | 4 = 13 |
The first team ran away from the competition early in the game and coasted to an relatively easy victory. Marshall Bloom lead his team in scoring in the runaway victory. He found his way home four times although he achieved only three hits. He reached base from a misplayed ball in the infield and went around to score later in the frame.
Al Andrews also had more runs than hits. His day was rather unique. AL went all the way around the bases on two separate hit balls but both were errors and should have been outs. The one time he could have gotten an inside-the-park homer occurred
when he blasted a gap shot between the left centerfielder and the right centerfielder. However, the fifth run was on base so Al got credit for a triple.
Fred Dampier scored three runs on one hit. He was patient at the plate the first two times at bat and drew walks in both plate appearances.
Richard Marino also scored more runs than he had hits. Richard went 2 for 5 but crossed the plate on three occasions. Oddly enough, Rich didn't score after one of his two hits.
The one-two punch for Team One, Don Kemp and Larry Wells, were shining stars at the plate. Don connected for an inside-the-park homer and Larry was perfect with a 5 for 5 performance.
Team Two and Team Three battled it out for second place in total runs. Team Three won that war as they put four on the board in the last frame to edge out the second team by one run.
The clean up hitter for the middle team, Bob Zelazny, punched out five singles in five at bats. He finished the day with two RBIs. Pitcher Jerry Witter, while absorbing the loss, did fine at the plate. He went 3 for 4 and knocked on a run.
Ted Taylor was chalked in as the number four hitter for Team Three. He stepped up to the task and went 4 for 5. At one time, Ron Thompson was given an intentional walk with two outs so the defensive team could try to shut down Ted. That didn't happen. He delivered an RBI single.
Pat Accetta absolutely crushed two pitches this morning. He burned the left centerfielder for a double, but he could have made it to third. He repeated that swing, although not quite as deep, later in the game for another double. Nice hitting Pat.
| Sessink | 5 0 2 | 5 5 0 | 5 1 X = 23 | ||||||||
| Granoski | 3 0 5 | 1 0 1 | 1 0 4 = 15 |
It took only eight frames for the home team to rack up 23 runs while the visitors could manage only 15 in nine innings. Freddy Gonzalez was the thorn in the side of the good guys. He went 5 for 5 and added three more doubles to his off season total. Freddy also scored every time he reached base.
Joe D'Herin also gave the home team fits. Joe hits so hard that the ball is like a rocket launching from the bat. Today
was no exception. He finished with a perfect 4 for 4 day with an inside-the-park homer and two doubles.
Erv Fitzke was finding the gaps and hitting the ball with authority. He tried to hit for the cycle and finished with a single, a double, and a triple. Not bad for a lead off hitter.
Elmer Black made his presence known as he had four hits in five at bats. Winning pitcher Dick Sessink went 4 for 5 too. One of his hits was a double. Dick improved his off season record to 22-12 with the win this morning.
The visiting team had their woes against the opposing pitcher. They were put into neutral most of the game but did have a couple of offensive innings. The team scored five in the third frame when they put together five consecutive hits. Roger Edwards doubled to begin the frame. Afterwards, Doug McLellan, Denny Shaffer, Ted Granoski, and Gene Morey all found holes in the defense as they had base raps. Denny, along with Roger and Gene, ended the day as the leading hitters for the visiting team. Denny batted .800 for the day. He connected for four singles in five trips to the plate. Roger and Gene both went 3 for 4 and one of Roger's hits was a double.
LEADING HITTERS:
Larry Wells - 5 for 5 with 1 triple.
Freddy Gonzalez - 5 for 5 with 3 doubles.
Bob Zelazny - 5 for 5.
Joe D'Herin - 4 for 4 with 1 homer, 2 doubles, & 1 sacrifice fly.
Dick Sessink - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
Elmer Black - 4 for 5.
Denny Shaffer - 4 for 5.
Ted Taylor - 4 for 5.
Don Kemp - 3 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 sacrifice fly.
Walt Leggett - 3 for 4 with 1 homer.
Jerry Witter - 3 for 4.
Gene Morey - 3 for 4.
| DOUBLES: | Pat Accetta 2 (16), Ron Butler 2 (8), Fred Dampier 1 (50), Joe D'Herin 2 (7), Eddie Diaz 1 (17), |
| Roger Edwards 1 (24), Erv Fitzke 1 (1), Freddy Gonzalez 3 (79), Sam Harrell 1 (5), Doug McLellan 1 (19), | |
| Dick Sessink 1 (11), Mike Stepp 1 (7), John Stewart 1 (1) | |
| TRIPLES: | Al Andrews 1 (2), Erv Fitzke 1 (2), Marty Martinez 1 (1), Larry Wells 1 (3) |
| HOMERS: | Joe D'Herin 1 (1), Don Kemp 1 (2), Walt Leggett 1 (1) |
| WALKS: | Frank Acevedo 1 (4), Lee Baker 2 (24), Fred Dampier 2 (16), Joe DeForge 2 (38), Gale Doty 1 (7), |
| Roger Edwards 1 (4), Skip Morrison 1 (13), Bert Snyder 1 (4), Ron Thompson 1 (23) | |
| SAC FLYS: | Joe D'Herin 1 (2), Roger Edwards 1 (3), Don Kemp 1 (1) |
Floyd Welton returned from Jefferson City, Tennessee and was the first baseman for the home team on Field E. A team mate of his this morning, John Stewart, arrived from Belleville, Ontario, Canada. John took last year off to take care of some business in Canada. Welcome back Floyd and John.
Sam Harrell recommended a player for our league. John Wheeler is a snowbird who resides in Cincinnati, Ohio during the summer months. Thank you for playing this morning John. Please come back and join the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club.
November 16th - The Lakeland Angels participated in the SSUSA Winter Nationals in Fort Myers this past week. The 70s team, under the direction of manager Jose Agosto, placed 4th in the AAA 70s bracket. They compiled a record of 4-2 during the tournament.
Lakeland Angels team members inculded Bobby Allen, Earl Black, Angelo "Cappy" Caporali, Doug Chamlee, John Fulton, Ed Kline, Gordy Mathison, Doug McLellan, Wayne Mundy, John Ormsby, Don Schroeder, Ron Thompson, and Russ Winner.
November 17th - Three fields were needed for the six teams this morning.
The weather was warm and comfortable with the high expected to reach 81° F.
| Diaz | 2 0 5 | 5 4 1 | 0 4 0 = 21 | ||||||||
| Radlein | 5 0 5 | 0 6 5 | 0 1 X = 22 |
The game was rolling along in the favor of the visiting team. But everything can change at the flip of a hat.
The visitors held a 16-10 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth frame. Only one player in the 12 man lineup had not scored a run for the away team so the runs were spread almost evenly throughout the score sheet. Lead off hitter Fred Ducham, who went 2 for 3 up to that point, and Russ King, who also went 2 for 3, had crossed the plate two times apiece. Every other player except Gene Morey found their way home. It wasn't for the lack of trying for Gene. He connected for a hit but was stranded on the base paths. He also sacrificed an at bat to drive in a run from third base.
When it was time for the home team to bat in the fifth, the squad bonded together offensively and tied the score after putting up a six spot on the score board. Not one extra base hit was achieved during the rally but the string of singles adequately did the job.
Denny Shaffer produced one of the singles. In two previous at bats, he had an inside-the-park homer and a double. If he could leg one out another hit for a triple before the game was in the books, Denny would hit for the cycle. When it was all said and done, he didn't get the triple but finished with a 4 for 5 performance.
The six runs in the home fifth changed the momentum of the game and the good guys went on to win by one run.
| M.Taylor | 4 0 1 | 5 1 3 | 2 5 0 = 21 | ||||||||
| Palmer | 2 0 5 | 0 5 4 | 0 1 4 = 21 |
The most confusing game by far, probably since time began, was the difficulty in determining the score on Field D. After nine innings of play, the score was knotted at 21-21. Or was it? The home team took the field for the 10 th inning until the visiting team had decided they, the visitors, won 22-21. In came the home team from the field. But not for long. Once again, it was thought the score was 21-21 so the good guys grabbed their gloves and trotted to their respective positions. This time, after some score sheet studying, the players were told the home team won 23-22.
Anyway, the score was really tied 21-21. A simple method of adding the colored in boxes for each team was not applied in the decision making process. The score sheet depicted a 21-21 tie as most had suspected.
With all that scoring problem havoc aside, the game went back and forth between the visitors and the good guys. The contest was well worth watching for the fans. The score changed hands several times during the bout as the two squads were evenly matched.
Tim Gallagher scored five runs for the home team and went 5 for 6 with an inside-the-park homer to his credit. Team mate Fred Dampier missed hitting for the cycle because he couldn't manage a single. Ken Ota reached base every time at bat as he went 2 for 3 with two free passes.
Chris Constantine put a charge into the visitors by connecting for two inside-the-park home runs. He was itching to play after having to sit on the sidelines while he recovered from a surgical procedure. After receiving the release from his doctor, all Chris did in this first at bat back was hit a gapper homer to the opposite field. It is great to have you back Chris.
Bob Zelazny drove home the fifth and final run on two different occasions this morning. He ended the day batting 4 for 5 with two doubles.
| Sessink | 4 0 2 | 4 0 5 | 0 0 3 = 18 | ||||||||
| Granoski | 3 0 2 | 2 1 0 | 0 3 0 = 11 |
Carl Luebking was the talk of the day on Field E. He was the lead off hitter for the visiting team and he performed his batting duties with expertise. Carl batted 1.000 by going 5 for 5 with a triple and a double. He also made it all the way around the bases four times. Number two hole batter Neil Gelpi chased Carl around the bases most of the game. He went 4 for 5.
On the losing end, Joe D'Herin is a doubles machine. He had three two baggers in four plate appearances. Powerful Chuck Duff batted 3 for 3 and drove Joe home on two different occasions.
Ted Granoski pitched well but is still searching for his first victory since coming off an extended stay on the disabled list.
LEADING HITTERS:
John Smith - 5 for 5 with 1 homer & 1 triple.
Al Andrews - 5 for 5 with 1 homer & 2 doubles.
Carl Luebking - 5 for 5 with 1 triple & 1 double.
Milo Macko - 4 for 4 with 1 double.
Frank Miller - 4 for 4 with 1 double.
Chuck Duff - 3 for 3 with 1 double & 1 sacrifice fly.
Tim Gallagher - 5 for 6 with 1 homer.
Wally Granger - 4 for 5 with 1 homer & 3 doubles.
Denny Shaffer - 4 for 5 with 1 homer & 1 double.
Doug Chamlee - 4 for 5 with 1 triple & 1 double.
Floyd Welton - 4 for 5 with 1 triple & 1 double.
Larry Wells - 4 for 5 with 2 doubles.
Bob Zelazny - 4 for 5 with 2 doubles.
Neil Gelpi - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
Sam Harrell - 4 for 5.
Rich Palmer - 4 for 5.
Jerry Witter - 4 for 5.
Doug McLellan - 3 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 double.
Joe D'Herin - 3 for 4 with 3 doubles.
| DOUBLES: | Pat Accetta 2 (18), Frank Acevedo 1 (1), Al Andrews 2 (16), Elmer Black 1 (1), Doug Chamlee 1 (17), |
| Fred Dampier 1 (51), Lou DeCarlo 1 (1), Joe D'Herin 3 (10), Chuck Duff 1 (20), Neil Gelpi 1 (2), | |
| Freddy Gonzalez 1 (80), Wally Granger 3 (24), Russ King 2 (14), Carl Luebking 1 (11), Milo Macko 1 (1), | |
| Doug McLellan 1 (20), Frank Miller 1 (7), Rich Moots 1 (6), Denny Shaffer 1 (5), Marvin Taylor 1 (1), | |
| Larry Wells 2 (23), Floyd Welton 1 (1), Bob Zelazny 2 (25) | |
| TRIPLES: | Ron Butler 1 (4), Doug Chamlee 1 (2), Fred Dampier 1 (11), Eddie Diaz 1 (6), Carl Luebking 1 (6), |
| John Smith 1 (3), Floyd Welton 1 (1) | |
| HOMERS: | Al Andrews 1 (5), Chris Constantine 2 (3), Fred Dampier 1 (24), Tim Gallagher 1 (1), Wally Granger 1 (11), |
| Jim Laffoon 1 (8), Marty Martinez 1 (1), Doug McLellan 1 (6), Denny Shaffer 1 (4), John Smith 1 (1) | |
| WALKS: | Frank Acevedo 2 (6), Lee Baker 1 (25), Reg Barnes 1 (23), Jim Laffoon 1 (5), Ken Ota 2 (5), |
| Ed Schmiedeke 1 (3), Bill Spring 1 (16) | |
| SAC FLYS: | Chuck Duff 1 (5), Gene Morey 1 (1) |
One of our ageless softball players who has been a Winter Haven Senior Softball Club member for many years decided it was time to hang up the cleats. Rusty Landahl called it quits after the game. He is etched in just about everyone's mind as a fierce competitor and a knowledgeable ball player. Rusty will be greatly missed on the field. Feel free to come back out of retirement and return to the playing field Rusty.
Joe Hissey arrived from Baltimore, Maryland. He was put on a National League roster this past season but then chose to be placed into the pool of part time players. He helped umpire some of the games but didn't play very often. It is nice to have you back on the field Joe.
Two prospective members played on Field D this morning. Lou DeCarlo is retired and lives in Winter Haven full time. Milo Macko is a snowbird from Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. Please consider joining the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club Lou and Milo.
November 19th - Thursday - The Sebring All Stars took on the Lakeshore All Stars at Nalcrest Eagles Field in a wood bat doubleheader this morning. Regino "Gutey" Gutierrez piloted the Lakeshore team to a clean sweep.
Winter Haven Senior Softball Club members Fred Dampier and Freddy Gonzalez played with Lakeshore and Elvis Abney joined the Sebring All Stars. Including Elvis and Fred, Nalcrest league members who participated were Dave "Crash" Kieffer, Matt McKulvey, and Gary Quartana.
Lakeshore won a close game in the first contest. They scored one in the first frame but allowed a five run inning in the top of the third. Not to be denied of the lead, Lakeshore bounced back with four runs in the bottom of the next inning. The final run was scored in the bottom of the sixth in the seven inning game. Matt McKulvey was on the mound for Lakeshore in the pitcher's duel that Lakeshore won 6-5.
The first game was mostly a defensive battle.
Shortstop Miguel Negron covered quite an expanse of ground in the infield and made strong and accurate throws to first baseman Raphael Rivera.
In the outfield, Ivan Renta made two nice catches on sinking line drives to right centerfield. Freddy Gonzalez, who was patrolling the left centerfield area, threw a runner out at second base.
The second game was a rout in favor of Lakeshore. The final score was 13-4 and nine of the runs were scored in the first two innings. Fred Dampier hit a three run inside-the-park homer in the gap between the left centerfielder and leftfielder in the first inning. A two run single in the second frame gave Fred five RBIs for the contest.
Ray Jiminez absolutely crushed the ball today. He batted four times and connected for four doubles down the leftfield line during the game. The defense just couldn't find an answer for his potent bat.
Shortstop Miguel Negron put an exclamation point on the game in the bottom of the last frame. Sebring was batting and no outs. With a runner on first base, Miguel caught a hard line drive up the middle that appeared to be a clean base hit. After the grab, he threw a rocket to first baseman Gary Quartana for a double play. That seemed to take the steam out of the sails of Sebring as the final batter fouled out to end the game.
Dave "Crash" Kieffer hurled the second game for Lakeshore. He silenced the Sebring bats most of the game and recorded the victory.
November 20th - The league has been see-sawing between five and six teams. There were five teams this morning so one field had a three team game and the other contested a game with three teams.
| Palmer | 5 0 1 | 0 4 0 | 2 = 12 | ||||||||
| M.Taylor | 5 5 0 | 2 0 1 | 8 = 21 | ||||||||
| Witterr | 3 0 3 | 3 5 2 | 0 = 16 |
Team One began well but faltered at the end. They ended up scoring the least amount of runs of all three teams.
With the exception of the first finning, the bottom half didn't hold up their end of the bargain. The number five hold hitter, Doug Chamlee, lead the team in batting. He went 4 for 4 on the day and drove in two runs. Clean up man Bob Zelazny contributed with a 3 for 4 game. He also scored three runs.
Team Three took the lead midpoint in
the game and seemed to have a "W" under their belt. That was not to be, because they watched on the bench as their lead went down the drain in the final frame. More about that later.
Chris Constantine has come back off the DL with a vengeance. He hit another inside-the-park homer and also had a triple. Team mate Al Andrews hit the long ball, too. Al hit his sixth inside-the-park homer of the off season. Pitcher Jerry Witter helped his cause with the bat. He went 3 for 4.
The third team began strong with 10 runs in the first two frames but tapered off and were down 10-13-16 at the beginning of the final frame. They recharged their bats and put a "snowman" on the boards. For the benefit of all the non-golfers, a snowman is a Jack Nicholas term for an eight. A golfer doesn't want a snowman but an offensive team in softball does.
The defense did aid the home team in the seventh. Wally Granger doubled and Dave Podbielski singled to open the frame. After Marvin Taylor lined out to third baseman Ed Kline, the next batter reached base on an error. Joel Freedman and Floyd Welton each collected base hits before Ed Schmiedeke got aboard on an infield error. That would have been out number three with three runs on the scoreboard. Instead, the inning continued. After lead off hitter Clair Auchey singled, a third error was made. That opened the door for a Ron Butler double. That last hit of the innng scored two runs.
| Sessink | 2 0 5 | 4 0 2 | 0 3 2 = 18 | ||||||||
| Diaz | 2 1 5 | 5 0 0 | 2 5 X = 20 |
This game ended like an NBA basketball contest. It wasn't decided until the final few minutes.
Jim Laffoon and Roger Edwards triggered the visiting team with stellar offensive performances. Roger slammed two inside-the-park home runs and drew two bases on balls. Jim also was walked and he connected for a triple on his way to getting three hits in four at bats.
Joe D'Herin
and Denny Shaffer were sandwiched between the clean up hitter and they sparked their team to victory. Doubles machine Joe decided to add triples to his resume. In fact, he added the first three triples to his off season statistics. Joe did hit two doubles, too. Denny was 4 for 5 with a double.
Down 16-15, the home team collected five runs in the bottom of the eighth to take a four run lead. After Joe Hissey grounded out to begin the home eighth inning, Vassurl Bess singled and was pushed to third on a Freddy Gonzalez double. Joe D'Herin doubled in two runs and raced home on the third consecutive double of the inning, which was hit by Doug McLellan. Denny Shaffer doubled home Doug. Four straight doubles may be some sort of record in case anyone is keeping track. After the two bagger by Denny, Eddie Diaz singled in the fifth run.
At the end of eight innings of play, the home team was leading 20-16. Nice comeback.
It was up to the bottom half of the lineup to get the visitors back into the game. Rich Moots started off with a base hit and moved up one base when Richard Marino singled. Two outs followed the two hits. The next batter flew out to shallow rightfield so the runners could not advance a base. That hurt because the batter afterwards grounded into a fielder's choice, erasing Richard Marino from the base paths. Les Wolfe singled in a run before Carl Luebking reached base, driving home the second and final run of the game.
The home team pulled it out by a score of 20-18.
LEADING HITTERS:
Joe D'Herin - 5 for 5 with 3 triples & 2 doubles.
Chris Constantine - 4 fof 4 with 1 homer & 1 triple.
Doug Chamlee - 4 for 4.
Roger Edwards - 3 for 3 with 2 homers & 2 walks.
Ron Butler - 4 for 5 with 1 triple & 1 double.
Clair Auchey - 4 fof 5 with 2 doubles.
Denny Shaffer - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
Al Andrews - 3 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 double.
Jim Laffoon - 3 for 4 with 1 triple & 1 walk.
Floyd Welton - 3 for 4 with 1 triple.
Bob Zelazny - 3 for 4 with 1 double.
Jerry Witter - 3 for 4.
| DOUBLES: | Al Andrews 1 (17), Clair Auchey 2 (2), Ron Butler 1 (9), Joe D'Herin 2 (12), Freddy Gonzalez 1 (81), |
| Wally Granger 1 (25), Doug McLellan 2 (22), Denny Shaffer 1 (6), Bob Zelazny 1 (26) | |
| TRIPLES: | Ron Butler 1 (5), Chris Constantine 1 (6), Joe D'Herin 3 (3), Jim Laffoon 1 (14), Frank Miller 1 (5), |
| Floyd Welton 1 (2) | |
| HOMERS: | Al Andrews 1 (6), Chris Constantine 1 (4), Eddie Diaz 1 (9), Roger Edwards 2 (6), Freddy Gonzalez 1 (9), |
| Don Kemp 1 (3) | |
| WALKS: | Reg Barnes 1 (24), Vassurl Bess 1 (17), Tom Bonds 1 (7), Roger Edwards 2 (6), Jim Laffoon 1 (6), |
| Keith Linton 2 (3), Carl Luebking 2 (5), Dave Podbielski 1 (3), Dick Sessink 1 (5), John Stewart 1 (1), | |
| Les Wolff 1 (6) | |
| SAC FLYS: | Doug McLellan 1 (3) |
Ken Wilson arrived from Dundas, Ontario, Canada. Welcome back Ken.
One new player gave it a try this morning. Clair Auchey is retired and moved here from The Villages. Thank you for joining us today and please consider joining the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club, Clair.
November 24th - Six teams of players signed in for the softball games this morning. Thanksgiving is right around the corner but don't forget the games are scheduled to be played the day after Thanksgiving, which is November 27th.
| Witter | 0 0 0 | 2 5 5 | 0 1 0 = 13 | ||||||||
| Leggett | 2 0 0 | 2 0 4 | 0 2 0 = 10 |
The visiting team was shutout the first three frames but the offense opened up in the middle innings. The last two batters in the lineup each scored in both the fifth and sixth innings. Jim McPartlan reached base on a misplayed ball and singled to score each time. Joltin' Joe DeForge walked both times and scored twice. Joe ended up crossing the plate for three runs. Chris Constantine had an inside-the-park homer for the third straight game. Larry Wells collected three RBIs as he went 3 for 4 with a double.
The home team spread their 10 runs through four frames but couldn't score in consecutive innings. Don Keller and Eddie Diaz helped their team by combining for seven hits in eight at bats and scoring seven of the 10 runs for the home team.
| Granoski | 1 0 5 | 5 0 0 | 5 2 2 = 20 | ||||||||
| Sessink | 4 1 3 | 3 5 0 | 3 0 2 = 21 |
There were no hitting stars for the visitors but they combined for a total of 20 runs and didn't lose the game until the bottom of the ninth inning.
Lead off hitter Bernie Mohan was stinging the ball this morning. He connected for four line drive singles in six trips to the plate. Bernie is one of the most improved offensive players this year. He can also drive the ball deep if the outfielders creep up on him. Dave Podbielski was steady at the plate. He went 4 for 5 and hit the ball to all fields.
The home team had a very balanced lineup this morning. Eight of the ten batters scored at least two runs. Doug Chamlee and Fred Dampier each crossed the plate four times. Marshall Bloom had a nice offensive day in the batter's box. He finished with a 4 for 5 performance which included one triple. He was 4 for 4 going into his last at bat but grounded out in the eighth frame. Dick Sessink also went 4 for 5 today while getting on base all five times. Dick was the pitcher of record and improved his off season won-lost record to 24-13.
| Radlein | 3 0 4 | 3 3 1 | 5 0 3 = 22 | ||||||||
| Ayers | 4 0 3 | 5 2 0 | 2 0 3 = 19 |
The softballs were flying on Field E this morning. Numerous doubles and triples were bouncing off the Miken Ultra II bats. Neil Gelpi and Don Scarbrough lead the pack. They each blasted one triple and two doubles while Chuck Duff wasn't far behind in the extra base hitting contest with three doubles.
The 41 total runs for both teams indicated the power of the hitters who took the field. The two starting pitchers, Bobby Ayers and George Radlein, must have thought they each were pitching batting practice with 525 compression, 47 core softballs.
LEADING HITTERS:
Chuck Duff - 6 for 6 with 3 doubles.
Don Scarbrough - 5 for 5 with 1 triple & 2 doubles.
Vassurl Bess - 5 for 5 with 1 double & 1 walk.
Eddie Diaz - 4 for 4.
Marshall Bloom - 4 for 5 with 1 triple.
Russ King - 4 for 5 with 1 triple.
Dave Podbielski - 4 for 5.
Dick Sessink - 4 for 5.
Don Keller - 3 for 4 with 2 doubles.
Larry Wells - 3 for 4 with 1 double.
Floyd Welton - 3 for 4 with 1 double.
Lou DeCarlo - 3 for 4.
| DOUBLES: | Vassurl Bess 1 (17), Ron Butler 2 (11), Doug Chamlee 2 (19), Bob Cooper 1 (2), Chuck Duff 3 (23), |
| Neil Gelpi 2 (4), Freddy Gonzalez 1 (82), Ted Granoski 1 (1), Don Keller 2 (2), Don Kemp 1 (9), | |
| Walt Leggett 1 (14), Doug McLellan 1 (23), Frank Miller 1 (8), George Radlein 1 (5), Don Scarbrough 2 (5), | |
| Dean Schapeler 1 (13), Ron Thompson 1 (25), Larry Wells 1 (24), Floyd Welton 1 (2), Don Witmer 1 (27) | |
| TRIPLES: | Elvis Abney 1 (1), Clair Auchey 1 (1), Ron Augenstein 1 (1), Marshall Bloom 1 (2), Neil Gelpi 1 (2), |
| Don Kemp 1 (3), Russ King 1 (3), Doug McLellan 1 (4), George Radlein 1 (4), Don Scarbrough 1 (3), | |
| Ron Thompson 1 (8) | |
| HOMERS: | Chris Constantine 1 (5), Frank Miller 1 (5), Denny Shaffer 1 (5) |
| WALKS: | Frank Acevedo 1 (7), Vassurl Bess 1 (18), Joe DeForge 2 (40), Keith Linton 1 (4), Jim McPartlan 1 (8), |
| Rich Moots 1 (12), Dean Schapeler 1 (5) | |
| SAC FLYS: | Clair Auchey 1 (1), Ron Butler 1 (1), Don Kemp 1 (2), Doug McLellan 1 (4), Frank Miller 1 (1), |
| Don Scarbrough 1 (2) |
The Commissioner of the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club, Don Witmer, returned from the DL and joined in the action of Field E with the big boys. He has been out of action for several months. Welcome back Don.
Ed Neumyer didn't cross the white lines as a player this morning. He volunteered to umpire behind the plate on Field D. Thank you Ed.
Several players returned to Winter Haven to participate in the ball games today. Ron Augenstein returned from Marysville, Ohio; Bart Gongaware returned from Romulus, Michigan; Don Keller arrived from Nazareth, Pennsylvania; and Art Zakrowski arrived from Granger, Indiana. Also, Bobby Ayers is visiting from Jacksonville and played today. Welcome back Ron, Bart, Don, Art, and Bobby.
November 26th - Thanksgiving Day - Time for a day of rest, relaxation, and cherishing our time with loved ones.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
Just a reminder the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club games are scheduled tomorrow, Friday, November 27th.
November 27th - The last game in November was played in some cool weather. The high today is supposed to reach only 66° F and the wind was blowing around 7-10 MPH during the games this morning. There were a few Northerners who wore short sleeve shirts and shorts but it was chilly for the locals.
| Witter | 2 4 2 | 1 5 0 | 0 3 3 = 20 | ||||||||
| Harrell | 1 0 3 | 2 2 2 | 0 3 0 = 13 |
The game on Fred White Field pitted grizzled veteran pitcher Jerry Witter against Sam Harrell, who is probably more comfortable at the rover position. Sam, making only his fourth start of the year, did very well. Although the decision didn't go his way, Sam shined on the mound. In fact, all three outs in the seventh frame were strikeout victims to the rookie hurler.
The visiting team took the lead in the first frame and never lost it throughout the contest. Eight runs were scored in the first three innings. Ron Thompson, perfect at the plate today with a 6 for 6 outing, doubled in his first two at bats while driving in one run and scoring twice. Denny Shaffer blasted the first of two of his inside-the-park homers in the second frame right before
one of Ron's doubles. The dinger in the second occurred with two on base at the time.
A solo shot by Chris Constantine down the line eluded rightfielder Reg Barnes for the only run in the home first. Chris has hit homers in the last four games. Although the circumstances are different, he is half way there to tying the record of eight, set by Pittsburgh Pirate Dale Long in 1956, tied by New York Yankee Don Mattingly in 1987, and again tied by Seattle Mariners Ken Griffey, Jr in 1993. Dale had eight in eight games, Don had 10 in eight games, Junior had eight in eight games, and Chris has five in four games.
Roger Edwards hit a two run inside-the-park homer in the home third and Bob Zelazny singled in a run to give the team a three spot in the frame.
At the end of three innings of play, the visitors lead 8-4.
Gene Morey reached base on a booted ball in the infield in the bottom of the fourth and made it to second when John Smith got aboard on a throwing error. The infield was attempting to erase Gene from the base path when the throwing error happened. A fielder's choice grounder hit by Raymond Mills took out John as Gene raced to third. He scored on a clean single by Joltin' Joe DeForge. Pat Accetta followed with an RBI single.
The visiting team racked up five runs without an out being recorded in the fifth frame. Floyd Welton and Gale Doty opened with singles before Skip Morrison got on base on a misplayed ball. A Reg Barnes single drove home two runs, then Denny Shaffer knocked a three run inside-the-park homer. Denny finished the day with six RBIs.
The home sixth and eighth innings were positive as they scored two and three runs, respectively. Pat Accetta and Chris Constantine each scored twice, although only one hit was produced for the four runs.
The visiting team scored three runs each in the last two frames. Ron Thompson score twice and ended the game with five runs scored.
| Sessink | 3 0 1 | 0 2 0 | 0 1 0 = 7 | ||||||||
| Granoski | 0 1 4 | 5 1 3 | 0 0 X = 14 |
Ted Granoski pitched his team to a 14-7 victory. He had been a hard luck pitcher up to this point but his record now shows his first in the "Win" column. Ted won against the most dominating pitcher in the league this off season. Dick Sessink has pitched his heart out and has recorded 24 wins.
The visitors pushed across three runs in the opening frame. Clair Auchey and Don Kemp, two youngsters in the league, started off with base hits before Danny Parker flew out to
leftfield. Chuck Duff came through with an RBI single. He batted 1.000 this morning in four trips to the plate. Ted Taylor singled after Chuck, driving in the second run. A fielder's choice scored the third run.
Freddy Gonzalez doubled and scored on a single by Larry Wells for the only run in the home second but they opened up the score in the next inning. Vassurl Bess singled and Joe D'Herin hit an inside-the-park home run in the direction of leftfielder Chair Auchey. Four consecutive base hits followed the homer. Freddy Gonzalez, Don Witmer, Larry Wells, and Ted Granoski each singled. The hit by Ted drove in the fourth and final run of the home third.
Five more runs crossed the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning. Art Zakrowski, Vassurl Bess, and Don Keller each produced base hits before Joe D'Herin hit his second double. A sacrifice fly by Freddy Gonzalez and a single by Don Witmer drove home the last two runs.
Clair Auchey and Don Kemp began the top of the fifth with base hits. After the first out was recorded, Chuck Duff singled in two runs.
At the end of five innings of play, the score stood at 11-6 in favor of the home team. That was as close as the visitors would get before the game was in the books.
The home team scored their last three runs in the sixth inning. Don Keller walked after Vassurl Bess flew out to rightfielder Marshall Bloom. Back-to-back doubles by Freddy Gonzalez and Joe D'Herin scored a couple of runs and a Don Witmer base hit accounted for the third and final run for the home team.
A single by Richard Marino knocked in Chuck Duff in the top of the eighth frame for the lone run.
LEADING HITTERS:
Ron Thompson - 6 for 6 with 2 doubles.
Chuck Duff - 4 for 4 with 1 double.
Floyd Welton - 5 for 6 with 2 doubles.
Reg Barnes - 4 for 5 with 1 double & 1 walk.
Bob Zelazny - 4 for 5 with 1 double.
Freddy Gonzalez - 3 for 4 with 2 doubles & 1 sacrifice fly.
Larry Wells - 3 for 4.
Don Witmer - 3 for 4.
| DOUBLES: | Reg Barnes 1 (6), Fred Dampier 1 (52), Joe D'Herin 2 (14), Chuck Duff 1 (24), Freddy Gonzalez 2 (84), |
| Rich Moots 1 (7), Ron Thompson 2 (27), Floyd Welton 2 (4), Bob Zelazny 1 (27) | |
| HOMERS: | Chris Constantine 1 (6), Joe D'Herin 1 (2), Roger Edwards 1 (4), Denny Shaffer 2 (7) |
| WALKS: | Reg Barnes 1 (25), Chris Constantine 1 (7), Joe DeForge 1 (41), Don Keller 1 (1), Denny Shaffer 1 (3) |
| SAC FLYS: | Freddy Gonzalez 1 (6), Walt Leggett 1 (4) |
Danny Parker returned from Swartz Creek, Michigan. He dropped by the fields this past Tuesday but chose not to play. He joined in the activities this morning. Welcome back, Danny.
