Scores
This Week's Comic
Joe Kahn Thanks NCSS
As most of you know, Joe Kahn collects recycled bottles from NCSS players after Monday pickup games and our scheduled games. He uses the funds generated by those items to donate to the Wounded Warrior Project. Joe is pleased to announce that effort in 2025 resulted in a $1000 contribution to that charity.
Joe wants to thank all those NCSS players that helped make the contribution possible.
Below is a letter Joe received from WWP.
JoesLetter (pdf)
DownloadAttend The Next NCSS Umpire Clinic !!
Thursday, March 19, 9am at Calavera Community Center
You are invited to an NCSS sponsored Umpire Clinic. It will be on Thursday, March 19th at the Calavera Community Center. The clinic will start at 9am and run through to noon. We will start on time so please be on time. The clinic will be conducted by Al Cabacungan. New players and new managers are strongly recommended to attend.
The Umpire Clinic is a great way to get a better understanding of USA softball rules and our NCSS local rules. In order to the most out of the clinic, we recommend you review the latest version of our local rules which can be found on our website at this link.
The clinic includes live demonstrations to give real life examples of our rules. Classroom participation in those demonstrations is encouraged so casual/active wear is recommended.
We hope to see you there!
This Week's Game Pictures
Thursday, January 22nd
Worden Williams vs The Draft
That Pizza Place 17 Carlsbad Police Assoc 7
That Pizza Place 17 Carlsbad Police Assoc 7
The Devil went down to Alga
And he was looking for a soul to steal
He was in a bind ‘cause he was way behind
And he was willing to make a deal
Did Joel Kudren make a deal with the Devil? We may never know for sure, but Worden Williams was the benefactor as Kudren hit three home runs to lead the Dubs to a 21-10 win over the Draft and improve their record to 3-0.
WW was trailing 3-1 in the third inning when Kurden’s first round-tripper knocked in two runs to close out a five-spot for the Dubs, giving them a 6-3 lead they never relinquished. WW added three runs in the fifth, but The Draft put up four in the bottom of the inning to close the gap to 9-7.
The entire WW lineup contributed in the final three innings as WW put the game out of reach with four runs in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings, including Kudren's second and third home runs of the contest. The Draft rallied for three in the eighth on Dave Ash’s second homer, but the deficit was too much for the Brewers to overcome.
Pat “Man of Steel” Steele and Joe Uribe each had four hits and six RBI for WW. Bob Buscher and Jim Goertzen each added four hits, but Goertzen had a fielder’s choice in the game that dropped his season hitting to 12-for-13 and a pedestrian .923 batting average!
Steve Berry pitched masterfully and had three key hits for WW. Bob Loprena, Dan Akers, and Octogenarian Oscar Lara each contributed two hits in the Dubs’ 27-hit attack.
Dave Ash led The Draft's hitting attack with four hits, two home runs, and six RBI. Carlos Cevallos was 4-for-4. Jeff Schneider went 3-for-4 and, as usual, added several defensive gems at SS.
That Pizza Place 17 Carlsbad Police Assoc 7
That Pizza Place 17 Carlsbad Police Assoc 7
That Pizza Place 17 Carlsbad Police Assoc 7
On what turned out to be a mostly sunny and very comfortable day on Alga 3, TPP jumped out of the gate scoring 5 in the 1st without an out. CPA wasn't intimidated, however, coming right back with 3. From there on the TPP batters kept the heat on, scoring 5 more in the 2nd, 3 in the 3rd and 5th, and solo runs in the 7th and 8th. CPA clawed back with solo runs in the 3rd and 4th and 2 in the 8th, but it wasn't enough this time.
Leading the way at the plate for the Carlsbad Coppers was Jerry Smith (3/3, HR, 2 doubles, 5 RBIs), and Gordon Recht (2/2, sac fly, RBI). The Pizza Phlippers were spearheaded by Rick Shaw (3/3, HR, 3 RBIs), Bill Ginty (3/3, HR, double, 4 RBIs), Kevin Lynch (3/4, 2 doubles, 3 RBIs), Pat Driscoll (4/4, RBI), Mike Berry (3/4, RBI), and Robert Kroger, Linda Wolf, Tom Redmond, and Nicki Branch (2 hits each).
Defense was solid for both teams. Highlights for CPA include a foul tip grab by Ruby Murphy and Jerry Smith catching everything whether near him or not. For TPP it was the infield that shined most brightly, with several nice stabs of well hit balls and a few double plays. Jerry ("The Octopus") Itkin pitched a nice complete game for TPP, and the duo of Mike Endeman and Margo Jacobo shared the mound admirably for CPA.
Both teams wish to thank Russ Roopenian for stepping in and handling the umpiring.
Carlsbad Inn 15 Plotkin Group 12
Carlsbad Inn 15 Plotkin Group 12
Carlsbad Inn 15 Plotkin Group 12
Another fine day at the ballpark, where Carlsbad Inn hosted Plotkin Group at the beautiful confines of Calavera. In the early going, it looked like CBI was going to breeze to a win, shutting down PG’s big hitters in the first inning and then pounding out 5 runs in the bottom of the first. But, this is senior softball where anything can happen and PG responded with 4 runs in the 2nd. CBI put up another 5 spot in the 3rd and once again PG responded with their own 5 spot in the 5th for a score of 12-10 after 5. CBI scored 3 in the 6th and PG got a couple of runs in the last 2 innings for a final score of 15 - 12, a well played, close game.
Plotkin Group was led by the spry Dennis O'Hern who we couldn’t get out (4-4) including a nice home run to right center field. Also contributing were Mike Brower and Gary Conway, both going 3 for 4. Rod Johnson pitched very well, keeping CBI batters off balance. PG thanks Al Castaneda for subbing today.
Carlsbad Inn was led by Rich Lavacot hitting 4 for 4 from the leadoff spot with 2 RBIs and Dan Menendez who had a breakout game hitting 4 for 4. Also contributing were Joe Dimambro at 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs, John Symanski 3 for 4, Dale Miller (sub) 2 for 4 with 4 RBIs, Dan Griffen 2 for 3, Randy Agadoni with a weak 3 for 4, and Evie Schwartz who had a critical hit in the 6th hitting, knocking in 2 runs and scoring. Gary Soper pitched well today, no walks and 3 pop fly putouts. CBI thanks Dale Miller for subbing today.
Both teams thank Jimmie Martin for a superlative performance behind the plate.
Pizza Port Brewery 20 Nucci's 12
Carlsbad Inn 15 Plotkin Group 12
Carlsbad Inn 15 Plotkin Group 12
PPB’s first 5 hitters went 20 for 25 scored 16 runs and batted in 15 runs, but Mary Ann O’Brien started off a big 4 run inning in the 7th to break open the game with a 2 out single to center. Mike Gallagher was 3/4 w/ a triple. Mark Pedote knock in 2 runs and made a nice outfield grab along with Johnny Brand, who was 4/5. Roney Lewis was great at Rover and went 4/5 along with Andy Balas, who hit a 3-run homer along with a 2-run double in the 9th. Leading PPB was Tom Carney 5/5 w/ 2 doubles & 4 RBIs. Ken Thompson pitched another great game and was 3/5 w/4 RBIs & a homerun. David Frantz & Steve Newberg each got 2 hits.
Nucci’s was lead by Randy Baird, who went 3/4 w/a 2 run homer. Tom Bernacka had a 3 run homer. Brenda McBarron made a great catch in right field robbing Ken Thompson of a home run. David Shur pitched very well for Nucci’s.
All players on both teams had great sportsmanship.
Bye: Village Pie Shop
Tuesday, January 20th
Plotkin Group 13 Draft 10
Worden Williams 18 Nucci's 12
Worden Williams 18 Nucci's 12
In a hard fought and close game throughout at Calaveras today, DR led in six innings but five run innings by PG in the fifth and eighth innings got them the 13 to 10 victory. Plenty of hitting on both sides with every player having at least one hit, but no home runs over the short fence field. PG's thirteen runs were knocked in by nine players on the twelve person roster.
DR was playing a full fifteen person roster with only the top two of the order getting up four times. Jeff Schneider, Dave Ash, Oscar Delgado, Karl Stern, Bill Mead, and Jerry Galiley all were 2 for 3 with nine of the ten RBIs.
PG was led by Dave Hartzog, Gary Conway, and Sherre Lovick all going 4 for 4. Mike Brower was 3 for 4 with 3 RBIs, Mark Riserbato was 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs, and Joseph Leyritz was 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs.
Worden Williams 18 Nucci's 12
Worden Williams 18 Nucci's 12
Worden Williams 18 Nucci's 12
I wish I had a pencil-thin moustache The Boston Blackie kind, a two-toned Ricky Ricardo jacket and an autographed picture of Andy Devine. Jimmy Buffett
With the OFF-FENCE and DEE-FENCE signs on full display, Worden Williams edged Nucci’s 18–12 in a tightly contested matchup. For the second straight game, the Dubs showed that defense still reigns supreme in the senior league, but this time paired it with a balanced offensive attack to produce what could best be described as a complete game. To their credit, Nucci’s never backed down.
The teams were knotted at 8–8 through five innings before Worden Williams began to pull away, plating ten runs from the sixth through the eighth while holding Nucci’s to four.
Once again, the top of the Dubs’ lineup powered the offense, but unlike the previous game, this outing featured an even stronger contribution from the lower half of the order.
For the Dubs, Jim Goertzen led the way with a perfect 4-for-4 performance, scoring three runs and driving in four. Joe Uribe also went 4-for-4 with three runs, three RBIs, and a home run. Philip Urbina added a 4-for-4 day of his own, while Pat Steele drove in five runs and ripped two triples.
WW’s defense played a pivotal role in the victory. Highlights included Joe Uribe tracking down a laser off the bat of Randy Baird with a running catch in left field, Bob Buscher snaring a line drive at shortstop using all of his 6’4’’ height, Ed Silva making a shoe-top grab in center, and Joel Kudren handling a steady stream of hot grounders at second.
For Nucci’s, the top of the order—Wilson (4/4), Porter, Baird (3/4), Reynolds (3/4) and Benacka—were consistently on base, and the team turned in a solid defensive effort throughout. In the end, however, the Dubs’ offense proved too much.
Behind the plate, Greg Lorton delivered a flawless umping performance, capping off a well-played game on both sides.
Pizza Port Brewery 14 Village Pie Shop 2
Pizza Port Brewery 14 Village Pie Shop 2
Pizza Port Brewery 14 Village Pie Shop 2
PPB had great defense today making numerous good plays off of really well hit Softballs. PPB’s pitcher Ken Thompson had a shutout going until the 9th when 2 PPB errors allowed VPS a couple more batters to hit singles to score a couple of runs.
Leading hitters for PPB were Roney Lewis 4/4, Tom Carney 4/4 w/2 doubles & 4 RBIs, Andy Balas 3/4 w/3 RBIs, Johnny Brand & Ken Thompson 3/4, Steve Newberg 2/2 w/2 RBIs, Super Sub Jimmy Smyth 2/3 w/4 outfield catches, David Frantz added a 3 run homer.
Leading hitters for VPS were Teddy Badillo 3/3, Bo Cai & Dale Miller were 2/3
Great sportsmanship by all players on both teams.
Carlsbad Inn 24 That Pizza Place 11
Pizza Port Brewery 14 Village Pie Shop 2
Pizza Port Brewery 14 Village Pie Shop 2
Yet another summer like day greeted two hungry teams as That Pizza Place hosted Carlsbad Inn at Alga field. Through 7 innings, the game stayed close and fairly low scoring due to good defense and great pitching by Gerry Itkin for TPP and Gary Soper for CBI. After seven, the score was tied 10 - 10 and that’s when the Innkeeper bats woke up in a big way. CBI scored 5 runs in the 8th and then batted around to score 9 more runs in the top of the 9th, all with 2 outs. TPP tacked on one in the bottom of the 9th for a final score of CBI 24 - TPP 11.
Leading the way for TPP included Kevin Lynch and Bill Ginty both going 4 for 4 and Tom Redmond 3 for 4. Gerry Itkin provided great defense at pitcher and has mastered the bowling “throw” to both first and second.
CBI was lead by Dan Smith and Randy Agadoni both 5 for 5, Mike Wallman 4 - 4, Anthony Reynoso and Gary Soper 4 - 5 (plus a home run and 4 RBIs), Gene LaChimia 3 for 5 with 7 RBIs, Joe Dimambro 3 - 5 with a home run and 4 RBIs, and John Symanski 3 - 5.
Thanks to Jimmy Smythe umping the last few innings.
Bye: Carlsbad Police Assoc
2025 Season Standings as of 1/22/26
Standings are posted after all scores have been received (in a timely manner)