TOTS' bats sizzle during the month of August...

The month of August in Tucson was a hot one. You could certainly fry an egg on the surface of any parking lot, anywhere in town.

Over at Udall Park, amongst the tall trees behind the senior center, the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) play the game of baseball and they too, had their bats sizzling, during the month of August. In the Major Leagues a batting average of .300 or better will probably get you in the Hall of Fame, but over at Udall Park, if you're 60-and-over and you play for the TOTS, chances are you need to stay above the .600 mark to remain among the club leaders.

Okay, so you won't see a 100mph fastball at Udall...maybe 60 to 65...okay how about 55 mph? But, you get the picture. Still, hitting a baseball isn't easy and when you're in your "golden years" -- well, it becomes even harder. Take Ron Petersen for example, age 65, and one of the youngest members on the club. Ron batted .900 during the month of August, but some of us will give him a hard time because his missed six games. He went  9 for 10 with 11 RBIs, to tie for the club lead, while playing in just three games.

The other heavy hitters included Chico Bigham with a batting average of .800 (six games; 16 for 20), Art Ratdke (six games; 10 for 16), Dave Rhoades (six games; 12 for 20), Sam Johnson (3 games; 6 for 9), and yours truly (8 games; 19 for 30). On a good month, with no rain outs, the TOTS can get in 12 to 13 games. A player could get in 50 plate appearances. That's 600 at-bats a year!

And our wives wonder where we are!