TOTS keep its playoff hopes alive at MSBL World Series

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series

Phoenix, Arizona

Game 4

Thunder Tim Tolson provided two RBI doubles, and Joe Opocensky had three key hits as the TOTS came from behind to beat the Cal Vets 13-7 in fourth-round action today in Goodyear.

Crafty Pete Maldonado won in relief of TOTS' starter Bob Daliege.

The win evens the TOTS series record at 2-2 with one game remaining in the five-game round-robin.

The TOTS will play the SoCal Dodgers on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in Maryvale, the Milwaukee Brewers' spring training home.

Photo: Thunder Tim

TOTS run-ruled in Game 3 at MSBL World Series

 Men’s Senior Baseball League World Series

Game 3

The TOTS were run-ruled by Canada Red Deer today at the Legacy ballpark in Mesa(there is no reason to mention the score) and fell to 1-2 in the series.

The TOTS take on the Cal Vets on Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Goodyear.

Opocensky tosses a pitching gem

2nd round action at the MSBL WORLD SERIES

The TOTS evened their record at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series at 1-1 with a 13-2 win over a Bay Area team, the Sacramento Pirates, in Tempe yesterday, thanks to a pitching gem from Joe Opocensky. 

Opocensky pitched the TOTS' second consecutive complete game in the series, going all nine innings while keeping the Pirates at Bay for the better part of three hours.

It was a team effort at the plate as all the starters hit safely in this one.

The TOTS play a third game Tuesday at 9 a.m. at the Legacy in Mesa against Red Deer from Canada.

Photo: Opocensky

TOTS drop opener at MSBL World Series, 8-0

 70-and-over Cactus Division

First-round Sunday at Red Mountain Park in Mesa

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series.

Pete Maldonado, 72, pitched a complete nine innings, but the Tucson Old Timers were held scoreless and lost 8-0 to the California Bears today in the MSBL World Series opening round at Red Mountain Park in Mesa, Arizona.

Tucson could muster just three hits in the game. Joe Opocensky broke up the no-hitter with a single over the third baseman's head in the fourth inning.

The TOTS added two hits in the bottom of the ninth inning—a single by Ernesto Escala and a double by Tim Tolson.

The TOTS play a second-round game on Monday at 9 a.m. at Tempe's Diablo Stadium, annex field 1, against another California team, the Pirates.

Photo: Pete Maldonado

Another tough loss in Provo

 Arizona Wildcats Football

A 41-19 loss in Provo, Utah today.

BYU moved to 6-0 by creating four turnovers. Many things went the Cougars' way, including the benefit of Arizona losing its top defender due to targeting in the first few minutes of the game.

It was downhill from there as the Wildcats failed to execute their offense at the crucial time.

Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita threw for 275 yards but had three interceptions and a fumble. Tetairoa McMillan caught the ball five times for 78 yards but was double-teamed most of the day.

Arizona is now 3-3. 

Beady dominates TOTS batting stats in September

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Jim Beady is a man among boys.

The term "boys" is used loosely here, as the Tucson Old Timers' players range in age from 62 to 79. Make that 86 with our player/scorekeeper/audio buff Ted Roberts on the roster with 45 old dudes who play for the love of the game.

Beady, though, owned the month of September. His stat line is impressive. Beady played in all 12 games with 24 hits in 33 at-bats. He walked seven times.

That calculates out to a .727 batting average.

Also, he led the team in runs scored with 21, tied for the most doubles (five, with Reed Palmer), hit two home runs, and tied (with Palmer) for the most RBI with 19.

Beady wasn't the only one that had a good September.

Joe Opocensky went 23 for 42, Randy Livingston 21 for 31, Tim Tolson 20 for 38, Bobby Long 19 for 38, and J.B. Bulawin picked up 18 hits in 40 at-bats. As for Palmer, he played in just eight games and batted .700 with 14 hits in just 20 at-bats.

On the mound, it was Palmer who sailed through September with a 3-0 record. Nine pitchers battled the hot temperatures, with Livingston logging the most innings with 31.

Way to go, TOTS!

My trip to Arizona Stadium

 I sat in the south-end zone last night next to the band. I quietly took it all in — the Wildcats on the field of play, the roar of the crowd, the college scene from tailgating to kickoff, and the final ticks of time on the giant scoreboard.

It all seemed similar to when I was a Jackrabbit Hernandez fan from the 195Os.

One thing was different: At 79, I was forced to hold onto the railings as I maneuvered up and down the steps. I was tired, and we lost—a double whammy!

And no Pac-12, but a new conference to boot. Everything seems out of touch and different, even the long walks to the snack bars and the restrooms.

It’s time to watch the college scene on the television screen while sitting in my comfy recliner at home.

Tough to admit. It’s time to watch my Wildcats from a distance. Win or lose, I’ll still cheer them on.

Go, Wildcats! Beat BYU!