Oldtimers game at Kino Stadium

Delon "Doc" Thompson, 69, will be the starting pitcher when a local group of "oldtimers" -- ranging in ages from 60 to 85 -- tangle in an exhibition baseball game on Aug. 24 at Kino Stadium. The game will be held at 5:20 p.m., prior to the Tucson Padres - Reno Aces game.

Thompson, who logged 331 innings back in 1964-65 in Class A ball, will be one of 20 local senior ball players who will participate in the event. Thompson started 44 games in the minors, posting a career 16-22 won-loss record. I will also participate in the exhibition game, which will be part of "wiener night (one dollar hot dogs) at the ball park". You gotta love minor league baseball!

It has been a while since I've played in such an event. Back in the 1970s, at Hi-Corbett Field, I played against the King and his Court, in an exhibition softball game prior to a Tucson Toros' game. It was a real kick. I got to witness, up close and personal, the 100-mile-an-hour offerings from the great Eddie Feigner. I got a hit! Of course, the ball landed just out of reach of the infielder and came to a stop, somewhere short of the outfield grass. After all, you have to put the hit into perspective. We were playing against four guys!