Quotes of the Day

The Winter Haven Senior Softball Club ballplayers come up with witty phrases or silly comments while gathered in the dugout, while in the field during batting practice, and during the heat of the game. Unknown Date "The operation was successful but the patient died." First baseman Hank Gomez after the shortstop scooped up the ball easy enough but proceeded to make an errant throw to first base. July 17, 2008 "You must be saving the barrel of the bat for later in the game". Shortstop Jim Laffoon spoke to Fred Dampier after Fred had pulled up at second base with his second double off the handle of the bat. July 18, 2008 "Time!" Rover Wayne Mundy yelled this directive after making an errant throw back to pitcher Ron Thompson, with the ball still in flight but heading for the ground about 15 feet in front of and about 10 feet to the side of Ron. Astonishingly, both baserunners returned to their respective bases! August 26, 2008 "I’m not there!!!" First baseman Dick Sessink to shortstop Don Witmer with base runner from first base, Ed Neumyer, and Rich Moots had grounded to Dick. Dick threw to Don covering second base but realized he couldn't get back and cover first base for the double play. Everyone in the park heard Dick’s warning and he endured some friendly kidding after making his way to the dugout after the inning was over. September 5, 2008 "They looked like four elephants watching a peanut." Eddie Diaz, standing on deck after a swinging bunt was made and watching four defensive players surround the ball hoping it would roll foul. Conclusion - The ball came to a rest in fair territory, every base runner was safe, and no one picked up the ball. October 20, 2008 "Only when you pitch." Lakeland shortstop Ron Lloyd to pitcher and team mate Zane Warner after Zane noticed that Ron was carrying a mouthpiece after the game and had asked Ron if he always wore it during the game. July 17, 2009 "It's going to be warm the rest of the summer." Bill Spring in the middle of the summer, when he took notice of the Florida heat. The weather in Florida hovers near the century mark during the summer. July 21, 2009 "He looks like a toddler leaving the nursery wearing his booties." Brent Alumbaugh, during batting practice, about Sam Lopez after Sam wore a brand new pair of baby blue softball shoes to the ball field. The Boombah Mesh Turf II softball shoe had been on sale at the manufacturer's website for about three weeks at a super price of 2 for $30.00. But as time went on, the choice of the great array of colors had been narrowing down to hues that do not look quite manly for the rugged and weathered ball player. Nevertheless, the guys had been purchasing all sorts of colors during the sale. The pair of shoes Sam wore was Colombia Blue with Brown, but the shoes are mainly Colombia Blue. Eddie Diaz chimed in that big Sam looked like Baby Huey. August 11, 2009 "Mooooooooooooots!" The visiting team dugout players when lead off hitter Rich Moots singled to open the game. It actually sounded like a herd of sick cows were begging to be set free! August 14, 2009 "OK, ten more." Joltin' Joe DeForge after taking five hacks during batting practice. It is asked of the players during BP to take only between five and six cuts during their time at bat. Many times a batter will ask for one more before vacating the box. August 25, 2009 "Once you get over the shock of catching the ball, make the throw to first." Doug Chamlee to Carl Luebking during batting practice, after Carl fielded the ball cleanly but failed to make the throw across the diamond to Doug at first base. November 10, 2009 "Were you running the bases?" Bernie Mohan, one of the fielders who took part in the execution of a rare triple play today, told Fred Dampier that was the first triple play he had ever been involved in, which prompted Fred's reply. April 16, 2010 "It's probably an Anthropology class because they're studying old bones." Les Wolff, when told that Dennis Holder had brought his class from Polk State College to the park to watch the ball games. It was actually a Sports Management class. June 18, 2010 "If you can't hit the change up in this league, you're in trouble." One of the batters swung and missed during batting practice, which gave Fred Dampier the opportunity to make a comment on the ability to hit in a slow pitch league. August 6, 2010 "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away." The visiting team scored eight runs in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game and the home team immediately came back with five runs in the home seventh to regain the lead, which lead to the observation by visiting team member Richard Marino. March 4, 2011 "Play 'em deep! Don't let it get over the infield!" When a batter (no name mentioned here) stepped into the box during the Tigers vs Red Sox 2011 season game, Sox left centerfielder Freddy Gonzalez shouted instructions. It was funny at the time because it was expected that Freddy was directing the message towards the other outfielders on his team. September 4, 2011 "Pull the pin!" An outfielder, whose name is being omitted to protect his dignity, threw the ball into the infield with such a high arc it resembled a military infantryman tossing a hand grenade into an enemy stronghold. That lobbing throw prompted the witty phrase by J.C. Crowell, the third baseman on defense at the time of the play in a Nalcrest Senior Softball game. October 25, 2011 "Man, you can daydream out there, like T-ball." Roger Edwards was comparing playing outfield with playing infield. He was speaking about the outfield in this instance. Roger can patrol leftfield and left centerfield with the best of them and can also hold his own at the shortstop position.