Scores

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Throw strikes. Home plate don't move.  -- Sacthel Paige

It was a real pitcher’s duel today between Carlsbad Inn and Worden Williams. That was a big surprise after CBI scored 30 in their last outing and even the cellar dwelling Double Dubs had posted quite a few runs in their last few games. But Bob Bautista for CBI and David Surh for WW both had great games. Only 2 walks were issued in the entire game and a total of 11 half innings had zeros on the board.

Things started very slowly with the score at 2-0 for CBI after three innings.  But WW scored 5 in the fourth and nursed that lead through the sixth when CBI finally knotted the score at 5-5. Then the Dubs posted another five-run inning in the seventh, only the second inning they were able to get runs across in the entire game.  CBI got a couple more in the eighth, but that was all and WW won it 10-7.   

Most of the highlights for both teams were on defense.  CBI’s Nikki Branch hauled in a deep fly ball in center and the rest of the squad caught another 16 flies without a drop.  On offense Sean Skelton was 3-4 and Andy Balas (subbing for Dan Miserany) was 4-4. 

WW’s play of the day was made by Erin Spoden on the dead sprint snag of a fly ball to left. Both the infield and outfield played tight defense with very few miscues. The offense was led by Joe Uribe (3-3), with Dennis O’Hern, Dave Ash, Cord Cameron, Joel Kudren and David Surh all getting two hits.

Thanks to Leigh Pederson for umpiring and both teams for keeping things loose and enjoyable.  Let’s hope we all get to play Thursday!

The Battle at Calavera Park: The Draft Claims Victory Over Gaspar (25–18)!

It was an absolute barnburner at Calavera Park this morning as The Draft topped Gaspar 25–18 in a back-and-forth slugfest! With plenty of friendly banter flying across the diamond and great energy from start to finish, both teams brought their A-game. In the end, The Draft pulled ahead in a true dogfight.

The Draft’s offense came alive behind Rich "The Hitting Machine" Reynolds, who drove in three runs and played a commanding outfield. Corey "The Coaster" went big with two high-arcing home runs and 7 RBIs, while Bob Porterwas nearly unstoppable, going 5-for-6 with 3 RBIs. Out on the mound, Margo pitched an awesome game, keeping Gaspar’s hitters completely off-balance. The infield defense was just as solid, with Donato Domaguin, Ronnie Silverman, Al McGhee, and Steve Sexton playing nearly flawless ball and turning two double plays!

Gaspar kept the pressure on all morning with some hot bats of their own. David Herzog was a perfect 4-for-4 with 3 RBIs, and Evie Schwartz played the game of her life, going 4-for-5 with outstanding defense. Sub Bob Manchester came through big going 4-for-5, and Robert added a strong 3-for-5 day at the plate.

It was a fantastic morning of softball packed with good bats, sharp gloves, and plenty of laughs. Great game to both teams!

Nucci’s used balanced hitting and a steady D to take a 16-9 win over Plotkin Group at Alga 2 today. Nucci’s “jumped out” to a 1-0 lead that held up until the 5th when they tacked on 5 to extend it to 6-1. Jeff Ledesma and Tom Benacka both went 3/4 and knocked in the big runs during the rally.

The last time these teams played Nucci’s had a 6-0 shutout going into the 8th before PG stormed back for an 11-8 win.  So this time Nucci’s had to add on as they put another 5 on the board with Oscar Delgado driving in key runs with his 3/4 day and Tony Coppin contributing with a solid 3 hit effort. That made it 11-1 going to the bottom of the 7th as Nucci’s braced for the PG rally they knew was coming.  And it did.

PG got it loaded with Andy Boyer and Jerry Galiley both picking up their second hits and Pat Driscoll lasering a single for his 3/4 day. Then the pinball machine started with Kevin Davidge getting a HR for his 4th hit as well as Jerry Smith homering to complete his 3/4 3 RBI day and all of a sudden it was 11-9 after 8 innings.

But Nucci’s would not go quietly this time as the two stars of the game helped Nucci’s pull away.  First Oscar Castillo hit a 2 out 3 run HR in the 9th as he went a massive 4/4, 7RBIs on the day.  Then Brenda McBarron stroked her 3rd liner of the game to drive in another run to go with her running catches in the outfield to help Nucci’s get their first win of the millennium. 

The teams thank Mike Berry for umpiring and Tom Redman and his 3 hits for subbing.

The Playoff Chase and the Cellar-Dweller Shuffle
With roughly 10 games remaining in the season, both Carlsbad Police Association (CPA) and Village Pie Shop (VPS) took the field with something to prove. VPS continued its determined climb out of the league cellar, while CPA was busy protecting its playoff ambitions. In a 55 and over league, every win counts and every loss provides another opportunity to discuss what went wrong during the after game lunch get together.

Both teams penciled in 12 players, with CPA adding substitute Thomas Butch to the lineup. But the day's biggest surprise came when CPA handed the pitching duties to Teddy Badillo. A familiar face around the infield corners, Teddy accepted the challenge with the confidence of a seasoned veteran and the mental mojo of a guy who had already decided that worrying about it wouldn't help. He delivered a solid performance as a backup pitcher, proving that versatility is a beautiful thing in senior softball. After all, when your teammates hand you the ball, you don't ask too many questions, you just hope the defense remembers where to stand!

Unfortunately for VPS, CPA's offense was anything but sleepy. The scorebook showed at least one run crossing the plate in every inning, and 10 of CPA's 12 batters collected hits and at least one RBI. That's what baseball people call offensive production. In senior softball, we call it a very long afternoon for the opposing pitcher.

Craig Wheatcroft stayed scorching hot, going 4 for 4. John Symanski, Teddy Badillo, Thomas Butch, Jeff Payton, and Dave Erwine each went 3 for 4. Teddy added four RBIs and a home run, while Jeff Payton also drove in four runs. Apparently, Teddy figured that if he was going to pitch, he might as well help pay for the runs on the other side of the scoreboard, too. That's a teammate who believes in doing his share of the work!

Then there was Dan Griffin, CPA's answer to Bucky Dent. Small in stature but enormous in determination, Dan once again proved that a player's listed height has absolutely nothing to do with the size of his competitive engine. He attacked the pitch as though wielding a 100 pound samurai sword, slicing the ball into the outfield before shuffling around the bases with the determination of a man who knew the early bird dinner reservation was at stake. Another home run for Dan! Where did this guy come from? Somebody check the league's waiver wire!
VPS certainly had its moments at the plate. Robert Kroger reached base all four times, providing a welcome spark. Rick Shaw launched a perfectly placed three RBI home run that brought Robert home, proving that sometimes the best way to advance a runner is to skip the basepaths altogether.

Mike Juditz continued to demonstrate the art of smart hitting, going 3 for 4 with those pesky little greenies, hits that find the grass before the defense can finish its first step. Sheree Parsons, battling an aching knee while sharing pitching duties with Mike, also went 3 for 4 and collected two RBIs. That's the kind of grit every team appreciates, although the knee might prefer a quieter hobby.

Barry Stangl and Paul Pullin chipped in doubles, while Kevin Lynch anchored shortstop with a strong defensive performance. His accurate arm discouraged CPA runners from getting any grand ideas about stretching singles into doubles. Kevin kept the infield honest, even if the scoreboard wasn't cooperating.

Behind the plate, Karen Smith made a terrific play by snagging a tricky foul tip for an out. Her cat like reflexes helped produce an inning that lasted less than three minutes, practically a league record when you consider the usual pace of senior softball, where a quick inning can be followed by a lengthy discussion about whether the runner was safe.
Thanks to Jimmy Smyth for keeping the game moving as umpire. And the entire crew looks forward to Joe Dimambro's return to the diamond. The league is always better when familiar teammates are back in uniform.

CPA stays in the playoff conversation, while VPS keeps clawing toward daylight near the bottom of the standings. The scoreboard favored CPA, but VPS showed plenty of fight, timely hitting, and defensive effort. With 10 games still to play, there's time for another chapter in this senior softball saga. After all, in this league, the season isn't over until the final out or until somebody's doctor tells him otherwise. 

Bye: That Pizza Place

         Pizza Port Brewery