Looking forward to 2013

The final hours of 2012 are dwindling away. It's time for those new year resolutions. You know,  those promises you make to yourself, like: lose weight, stop smoking, stop drinking and exercise more. Or bigger things like: find a job, rid yourself of debt, or win the lottery. This year I think I'll just make a few minor adjustments and the heck with it. First, cut down on the trips to the donut shop, or at least leave out the donuts. After all, I don't smoke, I drink a lot less alcohol (none really, except for an occasional Margarita), and I limit my candy intake, so I think I'll continue with my daily cup of Dunkin' Donut coffee. My biggest Christmas gift this year: a gift card (you guessed it) to be used at any Dunkin' Donut shop.

Secondly, I'll be 68 in July, so there's no reason to look for a job, besides I'm getting the hang of living on social security. My secret: stay at home and don't buy anything. The fact I have socks in my top dresser drawer from the 1970s is something I'll continue to overlook. As for the lottery, I doubt I'll bother. For years now, I've been lucky if I can come up with one number per ticket, much less two, or three. From what I understand, you need to get all the numbers to win. And the winner, well, they historically come from someone 3,000 miles away at a country store in the middle of nowhere in a town  I never heard of.

I have decided to just look forward to 2013. Be happy with just getting up in the morning, let the bones rattle a bit and then have at it. Instead of resolutions, I'll just make some wishes. Stay healthy, keep on playing the game of baseball and hope for the best.

Pac 12 struggling in bowl games

Thanks to the Arizona Wildcats and the Arizona State Sun Devils (did I actually say that in the same breathe) the Pac 12 Conference has two wins to date in the post season. Arizona started things on Dec. 15 with a thrilling 49-48 come-from-behind win over Nevada at the New Mexico Bowl and yesterday afternoon Arizona State rolled over Navy 62-28 in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco.

But, it ends there.

Washington falls to Boise State (28-26) in the Las Vegas Bowl,  UCLA gets manhandled by Baylor 49-26 in the Holiday Bowl and Texas edged Oregon State 31-27 in the Alamo Bowl, played in San Antonio last night.

A 2-3 record for the Pac-12 with just three chances left to get back on the winning side of the ledger. USC will get its shot on Monday against Georgia Tech at the Sun Bowl in El Paso. Stanford, of course, will get its shot on New Year's Day at the Rose Bowl against Wisconsin and Oregon will have to wait until next Thursday for its matchup with Kansas State at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale.

The most exciting bowl game so far: Arizona and Nevada. Ninety-Seven points scored...the most points scored by two teams of the 19 bowl games played thus far. It's just too bad the New Mexico Bowl couldn't have been played in 75 degree weather and in front of a crowd of 50,000 instead of 24,610. To put that in perspective, the Alamo Bowl drew 65,277 fans last night.

My Pick: Green Bay vs New England

The final week of the NFL regular season is here. Time to pick a winner. When all is said and done, Houston and Atlanta will falter. Seattle will fall short and those two early-season front runners -- Atlanta and Houston -- will exit the playoffs early. My picks to make it to the Super Bowl are Green Bay and New England. Aaron Rodgers versus Tom Brady. Which team will win it all? My guess is New England will prevail and get a game-winning catch from the former University of Arizona tight end Rob Gronkowski, who will come off the injured list and take the Packers to another title.

You think I'm crazy? Could be. In reality, anything can happen. Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos could get in the way and spoil that scenario. And watch out for the Seahawks, winners of six of their last seven games. And what about Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys? Can they steal a win at Washington today and then come all the way back to win it all? Chances are slim. The Cowboys may win today, but will turn the ball over too many times in the playoffs.

Nope, I'm happy with my pick.

But as they say, anything can happen on a given Sunday in the NFL. That's what makes the NFL so much fun to watch. It's win or go home from here on out. Let's tee up the pigskin.

Arizona goes to 12-0

The Arizona Wildcats remained unbeaten with a 68-67 win tonight over 17th-ranked San Diego State in the championship game of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu. Solomon Hill, the tournament's MVP, led the Wildcats with 21 points and was assisted off the bench by Kevin Parrom who pumped in 17.

But it was guard Mark Lyons who wanted the ball in his hands with 24 seconds remaining and the game on the line.  Lyons took the inbounds pass with his team trailing 67-66, let 10 seconds run off the clock, and then drove to the bucket. He was fouled on the play, went to the line and calmly sank both free throws to give the Wildcats the lead with 13.1 seconds left on the clock.

The Aztecs had plenty of time to put up the game-winner and they went to their star player Chase Tapley to get it done, but Nick Johnson came up with the play of the game as he blocked Tapley's layup attempt, allowing the Wildcats to improve to 12-0 on the season.

Johnson finished with 11 points with just one turnover, while Lyons ended up with nine points and just three turnovers. Arizona turned the ball over just eight times tonight. Tapley led the Aztecs with 19 points.

The third-ranked Wildcats head home and will begin Pac-12 Conference play on Jan. 3 at McKale Center against Colorado.

Arizona ranked No. 3 in latest AP Poll

The Arizona Wildcats reached No. 3 in the latest Associated Press poll. The poll still has Duke at  No. 1 and Michigan in the No. 2 spot. Congrats, Wildcats! San Diego State moved up a notch to No. 17. So, it's No. 3 against No. 17 on Christmas Day!

Arizona advances to title game at Hawaiian tourney

The fourth-ranked Arizona Wildcats made it look easy in the first two rounds of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic. After a 20-point win in the tourney opener over East Tennessee on Saturday, the Wildcats came back tonight in Honolulu and dismantled the Miami Hurricanes, 69-50. The Wildcats hit 8 of 18 three-point attempts and led by any many as 26 in the second half. Coach Sean Miller picked up his 200th career win and his hot-shooting guard Mark Lyons led the Wildcats with 19 points. Center Kaleb Tarczewski had a career-high 13 rebounds to go along with his eight points. The Wildcats improve to 11-0, one of just five unbeaten teams in the country. Arizona will be tested on Christmas night when they go up against 18th-ranked San Diego State in the title game.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Bookemdanosports

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Bookemdanosports!

It looks like another year is in the books. So I'm sending out a special "thank you" to all my readers and especially to all my ball playin' teammates who have endured another season of aches and pains -- another full season for all of us old-timers who take the field every week at Tucson Udall Park and play the game of baseball.

We will take our positions on the field in 2013 and we will continue to play for the love of the game. I have to admit with all the "doomsday" talk going on, there was a chance we'd be moving to a different park  -- to the "big park" high above, the one that has standing room only for every game...to that state-of-the-art stadium complete with a sparkling, smooth infield -- allowing for only the best of "hops" and a soft, green, sweet-smelling outfield that allows the fielder to run...to glide safely across it, in search of a pure white, red-stitched ball with a three-word label engraved on the surface that reads "Made in Heaven."

Everyday the crowd rolls in through the turnstiles. No ticket stubs needed. There are no rain outs -- only bright, blue sky every day as far as the eye can see. And the sounds, well the music is just out of this world, "Take me out to the ball game," bellows through the giant stadium speakers. The umpire yells, "play ball!"  The "crack of the bat" is heard, followed by the turning of the heads as the crowd watches the ball spiral through the air.

No need for a scoreboard. Everyone, wins!

Arizona rolls by Oral Roberts

The fourth-ranked Arizona Wildcats rolled by Oral Roberts at McKale Center tonight. The Wildcats came out firing on all cylinders, getting raining three-pointers from Mark Lyons, Nick Johnson and Grant Jerrett en route to a 89-64 win over the Golden Eagles.  Lyons hit 3 of 5 from beyond the arc, Jerrett 3 of 3 and Johnson nailed 2 of 4 as Arizona finished with 8 of 16 three-pointers. Five players landed in double figures with Lyons leading the way with 17, while Jerrett finished with 15 and Brandon Ashley chipped in 14. Solomon Hill and Johnson completed the double-figure scoring with 12 points apiece.

The Wildcats led at the half 45-31 and showed no signs of a letup after their big win on Saturday over Florida. Coach Sean Miller sent ten players to the court in the second half and rested the starters. All ten players scored, including an eight-point effort from the big fella, Kaleb Tarczewski, who fouled out for the second time in as many games.

Wildcats eye 9th win

On paper, the fourth-ranked Arizona Wildcats should add another win to the win column tonight at McKale Center. Coach Sean Miller will make sure the Wildcats don't look past Oral Roberts (5-4). After back-to-back wins last week -- a road win over Clemson and a one-point win at home over a very good and highly-ranked Florida team, the 'Cats (8-0) are rolling and cannot afford a set back. It wouldn't be the end of the world (that's still three days away) if the Wildcats lose to Oral Roberts, but it would be a downright shame. The two teams have had one common opponent, and there again on paper the game shouldn't be close. Arizona beat UTEP 72-51 a few weeks ago, while UTEP beat Oral Roberts by 20, 69-49. Go get 'em, Wildcats. It should be a fun night at McKale.

Holy, Toledo!

TOTS Senior Sports Network (TSBN)

60-and-over baseball


Efran Toledo singled in the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning at the Kino Sports Complex this morning as the Arizona Rattlers knocked off the 60-and-over Aces, 8-7. The Aces once again came out with guns blazing as they pounded out 14 hits and led 7-4 after four innings of play. But the Rattlers kept chipping away, scoring a run in the fifth and two more in the sixth to even the score.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Aces went quietly as the Rattlers' right hander Ernie Hernandez coaxed Billy Heiny, Jerry Hamelin and Dennis Crowley into grounding out and the Rattlers came to bat needing one run to clinch the win.

With one out and the leadoff batter on base, the Aces elected to walk Tom Barrow, setting up a force play at first, second or third, but Toledo found a pitch to his liking and sent a Pete Cerenzia fastball over the head of center fielder Jim Sears to plate the winning run.

Cerenzia was saddled with the loss and Hernandez picked up the win. Both pitchers went the distance, pitching all seven innings.

Catcher Tony Contreras,  first-sacker Dick Ducklow and second baseman Chico Bigham provided RBI-doubles for the Aces. The Aces continue to pound the ball every week, but today the bats turned cold down the stretch.

Both teams enjoyed playing at the Kino Sports Complex today and look forward to returning there for future games.

AP poll ranks Arizona No. 4

In light of the Wildcats'  latest win, a 65-64 victory over Florida, the AP poll has Arizona No. 4 this week in college basketball behind No. 1 Duke, No. 2 Michigan and No. 3 Syracuse. Way to go, Wildcats!  Louisville is No. 5 this week and Indiana falls from No. 1 to No. 6 after its loss to instate-rival Butler. Ohio State is seventh, while Florida drops three spots to No. 8. Kansas and Illinois round out the Top 10.

Arizona comes from behind to beat Florida

Mark Lyons hit a layup with seven seconds left on the clock as the Arizona Wildcats beat fifth-ranked Florida 65-64 tonight at McKale Center. The eighth-ranked Wildcats trailed Florida from the outset and trailed by 11 when their big man Kaleb Tarczewski fouled out with 5:27 left in the game. The Wildcats football team wins their bowl game over Nevada 49-48 at the Gildan New Mexico Bowl this afternoon and then cap the night off at McKale by taking down one of the top basketball teams in the country.

A great night for the University of Arizona!

Solomon Hill led the Wildcats at McKale tonight with 18 points and Nick Johnson added 15, while Lyons finished with 14 points.

Arizona steals Gildan New Mexico Bowl

Down 48-35 with 90 seconds left in the game, Arizona scores two touchdowns and executes both extra  points to steal a 49-48 win over Nevada this afternoon at the Gildan New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque. It is hard to believe Arizona (8-5) was able to pull off the feat after allowing Nevada (7-6)  to run roughshod over the Wildcats for the first 58 minutes and 30 seconds of regulation.

Heroes a plenty in this one. Ka'Deem Carey rushes for 172 yards and scores three touchdowns. Matt Scott throws three touchdown passes, rushes for another and amasses 382 yards through the air and another  21 on the ground. Austin Hill catches nine passes for 175 yards and two scores -- including a 2-yard TD pass with 42 seconds left in the game and Tyler Slavin catches the game-winner from two yards out with just 19 second left.

What a way to start the postseason bowl games!

Congrats to Mega Powers, the top dog in UPC Hood Fantasy Football League

My Fantasy Football League


Congrats to Mega Powers for winning the regular-season title in the UPC Hood Fantasy Football League and to Blitz, Three Feet Right and Nut Rub for qualifying for the four-team playoffs which begin next week. Mega Powers goes in as the top seed and will tangle with fourth-seeded Nut Rub, while second-seeded Blitz battles third-seeded Three Feet Right. Mega Powers, with superstar Adrian Peterson on its roster, goes in as the favorite to win it all. Good luck to all four.

Fantasy Update: (12-23-12) Fourth-seeded Nut Rub upsets second-seeded Blitz, 135-90 for the UPC Fantasy Football League title.

Sometimes it's not how fast you throw it

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)

60-and-over baseball


Sometimes it's not how fast you throw it. Right hander Billy Heiny, 83, is -- how should I say it -- not known for his blazing fastball. Instead, Heiny, a retired dentist, puts plenty of bite (or something) on the ball and more times than not can cause a TOT (Tucson Old Timer) hitter fits. Case in point: Today at Udall Park,  Heiny (photo below) threw seven innings, allowed nine hits and didn't walk or strike out a batter...and won! "I just try to throw strikes," says Doc Heiny. "Some days I'm on and some days I'm not." Heiny pitched for Team Blue today and the final score: Team Blue 7, Team White 2.

While "Doc" Heiny was busy getting the job done on the mound, his teammates were busy scoring runs for him. Team Blue scored a run in the first, added four in the fourth and scored two more down the stretch. Dick "Big D" Ducklow and Pigpen Price led the Team Blue hitting barrage. Ducklow and Price went 3 for 3 and both players drove in three runs apiece.

Another gorgeous day at the ball park. The sky was blue, the air was crisp, and the temperature hovered around the mid to high 50s. Winter is coming soon, according to the local weather reports. Till then, the TOTS baseball club will continue to pile up the games in December.

Two more games are scheduled for this week at Udall -- at 9AM on Wednesday and again on Friday. For all you Easterners, well what can I say. Bundle up!

Not much to cheer about up in Phoenix

There's not a lot to cheer about at the moment if you're a die-hard Phoenix sports fan. My goodness, did the Arizona Cardinals stink it up Sunday or what? I have a hard time just pressing the number keys 5-8-0. That's Seattle 58, Arizona 0. Wow! Nine straight losses. And the Phoenix Suns, well they aren't doing much better. Suns lose to Orlando in Phoenix last night, 98-90 -- the Suns' seventh straight loss, their worse losing streak since 2004. We can't turn to baseball yet. It's only December! Let's hope the brass in the Arizona Diamondbacks' organization make some worthwhile trades in the coming months. Come April, the residents in Phoenix will need something to cheer about.

Way to go, Nick Foles!

Way to go, Nick Foles. The former Arizona Wildcat completed 32 of 51 passes for 381 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another as the Philadelphia Eagles beat Tampa Bay on Sunday, 23-21.

Foles hit Jeremy Maclin on a 1-yard scoring toss as time expired.

Maclin is on my fantasy football team. Foles is not. Too bad.

The Foles to Maclin heroics in the last-second of the game gives my fantasy team a 107-86 edge over the Blitz as we head into Monday Night Football. Unfortunately, I do not have any players involved in tonight's action but my opponent has two -- Houston running back Arian Foster and New England tight end Aaron Hernandez.

With a win tonight, my fantasy team, Team Priceless, would finish at 7-7 on the season, finish in a tie for fourth, but fail to make the UPC Hood Fantasy League playoffs due to overall points scored this season.

Oh well, I'll try it again next year.


Fantasy Update: Foster and Hernandez combine for 30 fantasy points on MNF as the two players put the final nail in the coffin on my fantasy season. Team Priceless finishes 6-8 and ends up in eighth place in the UPC Hood Fantasy Football League.

'63 revisited

It's time for holiday parties, get-togethers, and social gatherings as we prepare to celebrate Christmas and the fast-approaching new year. I went to a house party last night and struck up conversations with a handful of sports-minding fellas who especially love the game of baseball. I enjoyed myself immensely. As the evening approached, I shook hands with a man sitting in the corner of the room. We briefly talked about Arizona basketball, and then I asked him his name. "My name is Cliff Myrick," the man said.

I was taken aback. In the spring of 1963, I sat in the outfield grass at my high school with the other tryout hopefuls and listened attentively to my baseball coach as he unleashed words of wisdom about the game. The coach was in his early 30s, tall, slender, and fit, and as he uttered his every word, I could see the man knew what he was talking about.

There were two men during my high school years who I remember the most and gave me a nudge from time to time, trying to push me in the right direction. I was just a kid -- a seventeen-year-old who knew very little about baseball...about life in general. One of the men was my journalism advisor and English teacher, John G. Carlton, and my baseball coach, Cliff Myrick.

I haven't seen John G in 50 years and often wonder what happened to him. And before last night, the last time I saw Pima County Hall of Famer Cliff Myrick was that lazy spring day in 1963.

Coach Myrick is a Tucson sports legend. He coached baseball at Catalina High School for 27 years. Now 84, Myrick is still involved in the Tucson sports scene. He has officiated basketball and football games for 50 years and looks fit enough to run up and down a football field with his whistle.

Myrick was a star baseball player at Tucson High School in 1945. He batted .533 his senior year and led the Badgers to the state title. He went on to play outfield for Frank Sancet at the University of Arizona and finally ended up as the head baseball coach at Catalina, where he won a state title in 1967.

A lot has been written about Coach Myrick over the years, and I'm happy to add this tidbit. I told Coach Myrick my name as we ended our brief conversation. I'm not sure he recognized me; probably not. I was a curly-headed, dark-haired kid back in 1963. Last night, I was a 67-year-old gray-haired man, smiling from ear to ear as I said "hello" to my Catalina High School baseball coach.

Arizona gets it done at Clemson

The Arizona Wildcats get it done at Clemson. Mark Lyons leads the way with 20 points, four rebounds, four assists and one steal as the Wildcats slip by Clemson at Littlejohn Coliseum, 66-54. The Wildcats held the Tigers to just five points in the first ten minutes, let them battle their way back and then put the claps on down the stretch to pick up their seventh win of the season and second road win. The Tigers score just 24 in the first half and 30 in the second half in front of their home crowd. Mission accomplished for the Wildcats as they head home and prepare for Florida. Congrats, Wildcats. Way to go!

Tigers known for its Tiger Paw footprint; Wildcats need to leave their footprint at Clemson

The Clemson Tigers are known for its Tiger Paw footprint and they certainly have left plenty of them behind after successful collegiate wins in all sports at one time or another. But tonight, it's the Arizona Wildcats who need to leave their footprint behind as they take on the Tigers in a basketball game at Clemson. The Wildcats have certainly gotten off on the right foot this season with an 8th in the country ranking and a 6-0 record.

Tonight, in front of a national TV audience and an up-close-and-personal hostile hometown crowd, Arizona needs to prove to the collegiate basketball world that they're worthy of the early-season accolades.

In short, the Wildcats need to put their foot down against the 5-2 Tigers, hit the outside shot, score from underneath and come away with their 7th win of the season. A showdown with unbeaten Florida awaits next week at McKale Center and the game will be a must-see affair. But first things first. Arizona has been in front of the ESPN cameras before on a hostile court, or field (if you're talking football) and have come away on the short end of the stick.

Tonight's game is not a must-win. After all, it's the victories in the PAC-12, which are just around the corner, that matter the most. But still, tonight is a big opportunity to showcase just how good the 2012-13 Wildcats are. Come on, 'Cats. Stomp the Tigers!

Photo: We need a lot of the above from Nick Johnson (#13) tonight at Clemson.

Playing for the TOTS keeps an old-timer fit

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)


60-and-over baseball


I had an extra cup of coffee this morning, and I got to thinking. I know that usually means trouble, and the words that follow could be a bunch of meaningless jabber, or maybe a word or two of wisdom will follow, which will transcend from my laptop keys to my computer screen. At any rate, here goes.

The Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) baseball club members play all 12 months of the year at Udall Park. Each member's annual dues are $60.00. That's five bucks a month. Compare that to a gym membership that runs 1,000 dollars or more. Or, compare that to the sport of cycling. A thousand bucks wouldn't even buy you a good racing bike.

Where I'm I going with this?

Well, the other day, I sat in the dugout and eyed each ball player -- the players on the field and the players preparing for their next at bat. Twenty-four had showed up for the game -- one of three games played each week at Udall -- maybe four games if you consider some of them also play for the Aces, a team consisting of TOTS members closer to the age of 60 than 70! There wasn't one player overweight. In fact, with their baseball caps on, some of them looked 20 years younger. The youngest player on the field was 60, and the oldest was 87!

How do they stay so fit? Well, let's calculate the following.

Last month, the players took advantage of the beautiful Arizona weather, playing 15 games (including games with the Aces). The weather will continue through December as another 13 TOTS games are scheduled. That's 28 games in eight weeks. So, let's look at the numbers. A player who bats 1 through 5 in the lineup, if he played all 12 months and didn't miss an at-bat, would bat on an average of four or five times a game and saunter up to the plate over 700 times a year.

Compare that to New York Yankee great Derek Jeter, who batted 683 times in 2012!

For an old timer on the TOTS, you must run the ball out once you hit it. If you're fielding the ball, you must run it down and make the play. If you're a runner, you may need to put on the after-burners and go first to third or first to home. To top that, you get to the ballpark an hour before game time, warm up, stretch and take batting practice off a pitching machine. Follow that up with a two-hour game.

You do this three days a week for 52 weeks. I don't know what will if that doesn't keep an old ball player young. One of the TOTS' regulars is 85-year-old Jack Glickman -- the second oldest in the club. Jack gets the minimum at-bats every game. He bats low in the lineup, but he's there every game, week after week. He's certainly not a speedster, but he runs out every ball he hits. "I don't know what I'd do for exercise if I didn't play for the TOTS. I love every minute of it."

Glickman (see photo) rarely misses a game. He pulls into the parking lot, opens up the trunk of his car, and pulls out a four-legged stool. He sits down and proceeds to put on his baseball shoes. He gets to the field, warms up, and gets his usual seven cuts during batting practice. Jack bats typically last in the lineup, but when he does step the plate, he uses the biggest piece of lumber he can find.

And to top it off, Jack pulls the ball. We affectionately call him "Jack the Ripper."

Bottom line:  Jack says, "Forget the gym. I'd rather play baseball."

Note: As far as the TOTS' at-bat calculations go, most old-timers on the team deal with sick days, injuries, family happenings away from the ballpark, vacations...you name it, so 400-plus at bats for a lead-off batter is more of an actual number -- if he played every game. Still, that's a lot of swings for an old-timer.       

Wildcats struggle against Southern Miss

The Arizona Wildcats struggled at McKale Center tonight and it took a season-best of 23 points from starting guard Nick Johnson to nail down a 63-55 win over Southern Mississippi. The Wildcats needed all of Johnson's points and 14 more off the bench from Kevin Parrom to get by the pesky Golden Eagles (6-2). The Wildcats trailed at the half 35-27 and were down 37-27 just one minute into the second half when Arizona put together a 6-0 run and got back into the game. Still, the 'Cats struggled offensively until Parrom hit a three-pointer with 4:50 to go, giving Arizona a 54-51 lead. The 'Cats extended their lead to 10 at one point down the stretch and held on for their sixth win of the season. Arizona certainly didn't look like the 8th-ranked team in the country tonight and coach Sean Miller will have his troops at full throttle when they hit the practice court tomorrow. A trip to Clemson awaits on Saturday.

8th-ranked Wildcats take on 6-1 Southern Mississippi

The Arizona Wildcats basketball team moved up to No. 8 in the country this week as the latest AP Poll was announced on Monday. Tonight at McKale Center the Wildcats will put their high ranking to the test as they host Southern Mississippi, a team which started out 6-0, but saw its streak busted Saturday night in Las Cruces 68-60 by New Mexico State. Southern Miss found out rather quickly that playing in Las Cruces is no picnic and they should find the going even rougher as they venture into McKale.

Go get 'em, 'Cats!

Aces slip by Old Pueblo Club

TOTS Senior Baseball Network


60-and-over baseball


The 60-and-over Aces came from behind with a four-run fifth inning and went on to beat the Old Pueblo Club, 8-5, at Tucson Udall Park today. Down 4-3, the Aces used four consecutive singles by Chico "Rubber Arm" Bigham, Arnie "Cowboy" White, Dick "Big D" Ducklow and Bob "The Kayak Kid" Daliege to take a 7-4 lead into the sixth inning.

The Aces added a run in the sixth as Dennis "Wheels" Crowley (above photo) singled for the fourth time in the game and scored from third later in the inning on a fielder's choice play. Crowley reached base four times and scored four runs.

Old Pueblo took the lead in the top of the fourth inning thanks to a bases-clearing triple by shortstop Enphulmi Vidal and maintained a 4-3 lead until the Aces' uprising in the fifth. The Aces played their best defensive game of year and starting pitcher Lloyd "Baby Bull" Barzell went the distance to notch his first win for the Aces.

Pete "Lefty" Cerenzia, Danny "Pigpen" Price and "Pistol" Pete Peters had two hits apiece as the Aces make it two in a row over the south-side 60-and-over teams. The Aces knocked off the Arizona Rattlers 10-6 two weeks ago. Outstanding plays were turned in by right fielder Jim "Scrap Iron" Sears, Pigpen Price and Ducklow. Sears threw out a runner at first base, Ducklow made an over the shoulder catch at third base and Price made a diving catch on a pop fly.

The Aces manager Jerry Hamelin (below photo) was a happy camper following the win today. "We are playing well of late," Hamelin said. "That's six wins in our last seven games.We're getting the hits and playing well defensively."

Hamelin, 72, recently took over the Aces' managing duties as long-time manager Floyd Lance, 87, stepped down as the field general of the club. Lance is still active with the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) and is the oldest active player in that organization.

The Aces will return to action in two weeks and will travel across town to take on the Arizona Rattlers.

Four teams battle for final fantasy league playoff spot

My Fantasy Football League

My Team Priceless lost 94-89 in Week 13 of the UPC Fantasy Football League. I needed Eli Manning to connect with Hakeem Nicks for at least one score and a half a dozen passes. I get five receptions for 43 yards as the New York Giants fall to Washington tonight on MNF, 17-16. Nicks gets four fantasy points, not nearly enough for me to overtake the Assassins tonight, instead I drop into a four-way tie for fourth place in the league with Nut Rub, suh-nami and trojan girl. One of us will survive in Week 14 and sneak into the playoffs with a 7-7 record. Mega Powers, Blitz and Three Feet Right are 1-2-3, respectively, heading into Week 14, leaving just one spot open for the fantasy league playoffs, which begin on Week 15. Team Priceless will have to beat Blitz next week and then wait and see how the fantasy points fall. Even with a win, it could come down to a tiebreaker in points-scored for the season. Win or lose, it has been a very competitive season. I made some good moves and some bad moves. My latest blunder was not starting Dallas running back DeMarco Murray this week. Murray came off the injury list and scored 15 fantasy points -- including a rushing TD.

Are you ready for some bowl games?

Are you ready for some bowl games? Get the old icebox filled up with goodies, because there is a lot of college football coming your way. Seventy teams and 35 bowl games on tap, beginning with our own Arizona Wildcats versus Nevada at the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 15 and ending on Jan. 7 with the  BCS National Championship, pitting Notre Dame versus Alabama. I doubt I'll see all of the 33 games in between those two -- I'm not too interested in the New Orleans Bowl (East Carolina vs. Louisiana-Lafayette), or the Independence Bowl (Louisiana-Monroe vs. Ohio), or even the Belk Bowl (Cincinnati vs. Duke). But I will try to keep tabs on the Pac-12 teams and see how they end up. For instance, the Las Vegas Bowl will have Washington locking horns with Boise State and I'll take a gander at the Holiday Bowl in San Diego which pits UCLA against Baylor. The Kraft Hunger Bowl up in San Francisco will have the Arizona State Sun Devils up against Navy and the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio will be a good one with Oregon State taking on Texas. The Sun Bowl in El Paso on New Year's Eve pits USC against Georgia Tech and of course the two biggies for the Pac-12 -- the Rose Bowl (Stanford vs. Wisconsin) and the Fiesta Bowl (Oregon vs. Kansas State), will be fun to watch. I may check in on the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1 to see what all the fuss is about. Northern Illinois (who are those guys?) vs Florida State!

Let's tee it up!

It's up to Mr. Nicks on MNF

My Fantasy Football League


It's come down to this. I need a big night on Monday Night Football from the New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks to notch a temporary hold on fourth place in the UPC Hood Fantasy Football League. If Nicks can come through in Washington against the Redskins and score at least one TD and/or come up with 100 receiving yards, my Team Priceless would edge my opponent, the Assassins, in Week 13 and keep me in the running for the fourth and final playoff spot with just one week to go. Once again I received a good fantasy-point production from Dallas quarterback Tony Romo on Sunday. This time Romo garners 31 fantasy points as he throws three touchdown passes against  Philadelphia as the Cowboys beat the Eagles, 38-33. I head into Monday night trailing the Assassins 94-85. In our fantasy league, a touchdown and 80 receiving yards by Nicks would be good enough for 10 fantasy points and give me a one-point win. Needless to say, I''ll be cheering for Eli Manning to get the ball to Nicks. If he doesn't, chances are I'll be outside looking in when the fantasy playoffs begin on Week 15.

Wildcats to play Nevada in Gildan New Mexico Bowl

The Arizona Wildcats have their bowl game and they won't have to go too far. Arizona accepted an invitation today to play in the 2012 Gildan New Mexico Bowl on Dec 15. The site: University Stadium on the campus of the University of New Mexico. The game will pit two of the top five collegiate running backs this year in Arizona's Ka'Deem Carey and Nevada's Stephon Jefferson. Carey has gained 1,757 in 12 games this season, Jefferson has amassed 1,703. Way to go, Wildcats! Now go get 'em!

Wildcats roll in Lubbock

Arizona rolled to an easy 85-57 win in Lubbock tonight over Texas Tech as five Wildcats scored in double figures. Nick Johnson led the way with 18 points and Kaleb Tarczewski took care of the boards, grabbing 13. Johnson hit 7 of 11 from the field as the Wildcats shot 56 per cent from the field and completely dismantled the Red Raiders. Solomon Hill and Mark Lyons chipped in 14 points apiece. The ninth-ranked Wildcats made their first road win look easy and move to 5-0 on the season. Arizona led 45-28 at the half and outscored Texas Tech by 11 in the second half.

Lumberjacks no match for 9th-ranked Wildcats

The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks were no match for the 9th-ranked Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center tonight. The Wildcats dished out 22 assists en route to a 93-50 win over the Lumberjacks as Solomon Hill and Mark Lyons led the way with 17 and 18 points, respectively. Eleven players put points on the board and four players scored in double figures, including a season-high from Angelo Chol with 10 and a double-digit night on the boards for Brandon Ashley with 11. Nick Johnson lit up the box score with 10 points, 7 assists, 4 steals and 3 rebounds. The Wildcats shoot 58 per cent from the field as they move to 4-0 on the season.                                                                                                                                                                            

Barzell hurls gem in TOTS game

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)

60-and-over baseball

Sixty-two year old right hander Lloyd "Baby Bull" Barzell (photo) struck out six batters en route to an 11-4 win at Udall Park today. Pitching for TOTS Team Blue, Barzell gave up four runs to Team White in the first inning and then settled down to pitch six consecutive scoreless innings. Barzell, relying mostly on his fastball and an occasional change up, walked just two batters. Barzell was helped out by an excellent defensive effort from his teammates -- including two dazzling plays by 83-year-old second baseman Billy Heiny and a diving catch to end the game by 60-year-old shortstop Tim Tolson. The TOTS return to action on Friday with another 9AM game on tap.

Photo credit: Jodi B. Darling from jodi B. darling photo

Team Priceless fighting for playoff spot in fantasy league

My Fantasy Football League


My fantasy football team, Team Priceless, is fighting for the fourth and final playoff spot in the UPC Hood Fantasy League. Mega Powers lost its third game in a row in Week 12, but still clings to the league lead with a 9-3 record. Blitz holds on to second place at 7-4-1 and Three Feet Right, currently the hottest team in the league with four straight wins, is in third place at 7-5. That leaves Team Priceless, Nut Rub and trojan girl -- all three at 6-6 -- left to fight it out for the final playoff spot. Team Priceless got a boost in Week 12 as Dallas quarterback Tony Romo totals 45 fantasy points to lead the league in point-production. With the loss of Rob Gronkowski, it looked like Team Priceless would be out of the running, but its hard-fought 103-88 win over suh-nami this week keeps them afloat. Key players for Team Priceless this week against the Assassins include Green Bay's Randall Cobb, Tennessee's Chris Johnson, Minnesota's Percy Harvin, the New York Giants' wide receiver Hakeem Nicks and Romo.

Slugfest at Udall

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)

60-and-over-baseball

TOTS Blue knocked off TOTS White 14-10 Monday at Udall Park in an old-fashioned slugfest. TOTS  Blue right hander Bob Daliege (above photo) pitched a complete game and picked up his first win of the year. He struck out one and walked four. "I haven't pitched in over four months," said Daliege, better known as the "Kayak Kid."  Daliege feels comfortable going down the rapids, but he certainly stayed afloat on the mound today. "I had some movement on the ball. I was pleased." Still, TOTS White had a chance to even the score in the sixth inning as they loaded the bases with only one out. But Daliege coaxed Jerry "The Yankee Clipper" Hamelin to hit a come-backer which resulted in a double play to end the inning. Team White went quietly in the seventh inning and Daliege had his win. "I'll need to go home and ice the shoulder down," Daliege said, following the game.

Romo gives me an early fantasy lead in Week 12

My Fantasy Football League


Dallas quarterback Tony Romo didn't get the results he wanted as the Cowboys lost on Thanksgiving Day to the Washington Redskins, 38-31. But Romo did jump start my fantasy team in Week 12 as he out-pointed my opposing quarterback, Tom Brady of the New England Patriots, 45-36. Romo throws for 441 yards and three touchdowns, while Brady, in New England's 49-19 win over the New York Jets, tosses for three TDs as well but gains just 323 yards in the process. Good enough for a nine-point differential for my Team Priceless in the UPC Hood Fantasy Football League. Old Timer Jason Hanson also booted a field goal and four extra points for Detroit as the Lions fall to the Houston Texans in overtime on Thursday, 34-31. So far so good. With two of my players in the books for the week and a 53-36 lead, we'll now see how the rest of my fantasy roster does today as my Team Priceless will try to even its season record at 6-6.

Nice weather expected all the way to doomsday

The Forecast

You can't beat this Arizona weather. Highs in the 70s, lows in high 40s all the way to doomsday.

Pac-12 Football a success in 2012

Thumbs up to the Pac-12 for producing eight teams with winning records in football this season. Only Utah at 5-7, Colorado (1-11), California (3-9) and Washington State (3-9) failed in that endeavor. Leading the pack of course were Oregon (11-1), Stanford (10-2), UCLA (9-3) and Oregon State (8-3, soon to be 9-3 after they dispose of Nicholls State next Saturday). Listed as an also-ran with winning records include our own Arizona Wildcats (7-5), along with USC, ASU and Washington -- all at 7-5 as well.  UCLA or Stanford will add another victory in the win column as the two teams clash Friday for the Pac-12 title. Oregon gets the nod as the best offensive team in the conference (610 points scored this season),  while the Stanford Cardinal tops the charts as the best defensive team, allowing just 203 points in 12 games.

The Duel in the Desert

The Duel in the Desert


Early in the third quarter the Arizona State Sun Devils were enjoying a 17-9 lead. To make matters worse, the Arizona Wildcats star running back Ka'Deem Carey, with 133 yards and a touchdown already in the books, was on the sideline nursing an injury. Also lost to the Wildcats were the services of receiver Dan Buckner. Things were not going Arizona's way. But along comes Austin Hill and Garic Wharton. With quarterback Matt Scott directing traffic, the Wildcats score 18 unanswered points in the third quarter to take a 27-17 lead to the delight of the hometown crowd at Arizona Stadium.

At the 9:22 mark of the third quarter, Scott teamed up with Hill for a 22-yard TD reception to pull the Wildcats within one point and three minutes later Scott finds Wharton down the sideline on a 40-yard scoring play. The Wildcats go for two and convert as kicker John Bonano practically walks into the end zone to up Arizona's lead to 24-17. Moments later, Arizona's Jake Fischer recovers a Sun Devil fumble to set up a 23-yard field goal by Bonano and presto the Wildcats lead 27-17.

But folks, at that point,  the "Duel in the Desert" was just beginning

ASU scores 10 points in the early moments of the fourth quarter to tie the game and the momentum swings back in the Sun Devils favor. And with 5:38 left, ASU blocks a punt and scores four seconds later to take a 34-27 lead. Scott and the Wildcats quickly drive down field only to have an interception spoil the drive and with 2:51 left the Sun Devils score and take a commanding 41-27 lead.

But folks, the "Duel in the Desert" was still not over.

Scott directs the ensuing drive and completes the drive by hitting David Richards for a 17-yard TD with  1:54 left in the game to close within seven points at 41-34.  The onside kick ends up in the Sun Devils' hands. The Arizona Stadium clock clicks to zero and the Sun Devils grab hold of the Territorial Cup and head back to Tempe.

Arizona and Arizona State finish the regular season at 7-5.

Ka'Deem Carey finishes with 172 yards on 25 carries and one score.  Matt Scott throws for 230 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Daniel Jenkins, filling in for Carey, finishes with 78 yards on  21 carries. Wharton, Hill and Richards combine for three scores and 180 receiving yards.

Good try, Wildcats. But not quite good enough. Coach Rod said, following the game, "We made too many mistakes."

Congrats, Wildcats on a winning season.

Vintage baseball

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)


The 60-and-over Tucson Aces may get a chance at playing vintage baseball this winter. If it works out the Aces will tangle with the Phoenix Senators, using rules and regulations from the 19th century. The real Phoenix Senators played ball back in 1915. Wood bats with no tape are used by the current version of the Senators. No batting gloves or sunglasses allowed. Regular-sized baseballs are used, under hand or over hand pitching allowed. So, for all you "softies" on the Aces, get your knuckles warmed up. Times and places for the game, or games, yet to be announced.

Photos: Vintage baseball players.

"Thunder" Tim Tolson leads Team Blue to TOTS' win

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)


Pre-Turkey Day Game of the Week


"Thunder" Tim Tolson knocked in two runs, walked once and went 2 for 3 to lead the TOTS Team Blue to an 8-3 win today at Udall Park over Team White. Arnie "Cowboy" White pitched seven innings and out-dueled Dennis "Wheels" Crowley to pick up the win. Team Blue scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning and received key hits from their version of  "Murderer's Row" as the middle of the order of Doc "Cyclone Kid" Thompson, White and Tolson got the job done. White made the play of the day when he caught a come-backer off the bat of Chico "Rubber Arm" Bigham in the top of the fifth inning. Team White just couldn't get anything going throughout the game and "Cowboy" White ended the day by striking out the final two batters. The TOTS' baseball club resumes action on Monday.

Photo: Thunder Tim

Just two days before the "Big One"

It's just two days before the "Big One." In just two days the Wildcats, with their new red helmets sparkling, radiating through out the confines of Arizona Stadium,  take the field and tangle with their state rival, the ASU Sun Devils. On the line: Bragging rights for a year, an 8th win for the first-year  program under Coach Rod, a more noteworthy bowl berth and a top-25 ranking, maybe even top-20. Could this game be won be a hail-Mary in the end zone? Or, maybe a field goal that bounces off an upright and into the stands for a game-winner as time expires? Nope! My prediction: Arizona 42-28 as Ka'Deem Carey rushes for 150 yards, Austin Hill catches two touchdown passes and Matt Scott goes out in a blaze of glory with 300 yards of total offense. Oh, how sweet that would be.

Photo: The Wildcats' new head gear.

Defense! Defense!

Chances are the guard who was guarding Jack Taylor in a Division III basketball game last night in Grinnell, Iowa, will not be playing Division 1 in the near future or certainly will not find his way to the NBA. Taylor made 27 of 71 3-point attempts en route to a record breaking 138 points as Grinnell College  defeated Faith Baptist Bible, 179-104. Taylor was 52 for 108 from the field in just 36 minutes of playing time. I'm not sure who was guarding Taylor, but it was reported that a Faith Baptist player did tally 70 points. The whole thing sounds crazy. Mind-boggling is the word that comes to mind.

Aces 5-run 4th-inning takes down Rattlers

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)

Aces 60-and-over team

The 60-and-over Aces used a 5-run 4th-inning to take down the visiting Arizona Rattlers at Tucson Udall Park this morning. The Aces strung together seven hits and scored five runs with two outs in the inning and went on to beat the Rattlers, 10-6. Dennis Crowley, Lloyd Barzell, Chico Bigham, Tim Tolson, Doc Thompson,  Pete Cerenzia and Arnie White, all hit safely in the fifth. Sixty-five year old right hander George Gafner took the loss for the Rattlers, while  70-year-old "Cyclone Kid" Thompson started and picked up the win for the Aces. "Cowboy" White came on in relief and pitched the last two innings. The Rattlers down four runs in the seventh inning tried to get a rally going in their final at bat. But with one out, the Aces completed a 4-6-3 double play to end the game as the play went from Danny "Pigpen" Price to "Baby Bull" Barzell to Billy "Doc" Heiny. The Aces will take a break over the Thanksgiving holiday and will take on the Old Pueblo Club in two weeks.

Top photo: Doc "Cyclone Kid" Thompson. Bottom photo: Arnie "Cowboy" White.

Rattlers vist Udall Park today

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)


Aces' 60-and-over baseball


The 60-and-over Aces will play host to the Arizona Rattlers this morning at Tucson Udall Park in an old timers baseball game. Game time is set for 9 AM. The Aces team include members of the TOTS baseball club and are comprised mostly of players between the ages of 60 to 70. The TOTS organization has over 50 members and include players in ages ranging from 60 to 87.  The Rattlers and the Aces have a history of close, hard-fought ball games, and today's game should be another battle to the wire. Seventy-year-old right hander Doc "The Cyclone Kid" Thompson will start for the Aces today.

Wildcats movin' on up in AP Poll

The Arizona Wildcats basketball team moved into 10th place this week in the AP College Football Poll. The top 10 include: 1) Indiana, 2) Louisville, 3) Ohio State, 4) Michigan, 5) Duke, 6) Syracuse, 7)    Florida, 8) Kentucky, 9) North Carolina and our 'Cats at No. 10. Sounds all too familiar. The "big boys" are at again.

Top teams fall in fantasy league

My Fantasy Football League


The top teams in the UPC Hood Fantasy Football League fall in Week 11. Mega Powers loses its second in a row with a loss to the Assassins, 130-110. The Assassins, the league's last-place team, gets 45  fantasy points from Houston wide-receiver Andre Johnson to put away Mega Powers, who still leads the league with a 9-2 record and is an automatic qualifier for the playoffs. Also going down this week were Blitz (6-4-1), Nut Rub (6-5), Team Arps (5-6) and suh-nami (5-6). The middle of the pack teams -- Three Feet Right (6-5), Team Priceless (5-6), trojan girl (5-6) and A-Team (4-7) all won this week. The Assassins win over Mega Powers was even more unbelievable due to the fact the owner of the Assassins elected to keep Houston quarterback Matt Schaub on the bench. Schaub throws  five touchdown passes in Houston's 43-37 overtime win over Jacksonville. The Assassins starting quarterback Matthew Stafford (Detroit) tallies 13 fantasy points against Green Bay. Schaub scored a league-high 59 fantasy points.

Wildcats roll past Long Beach State

The Arizona Wildcats improve to 3-0 on the season after rolling past Long Beach State tonight at McKale, 94-72. Brandon Ashley gets his first start of the season and pours in 20 points and adds 10 rebounds to lead the Wildcats over the 49ers, while Kevin Parrom came off the bench and hit all five of his 3-pointers for 15 points. Solomon Hill added another 15 and Nick Johnson chipped in 12 to complete the double-figure scoring. Long Beach State hung in there, using 14 3-pointers to keep them within striking distance and they needed every one of them as Arizona led by as many as 22 in the first half and went to the locker room with a 50-37 lead at intermission. The Wildcats tacked on another 44 points in the second half as coach Sean Miller cleared the bench. Fourteen players received playing time. Way to go, 'Cats!

Gronkowski loss costly for Team Priceless

My Fantasy Football League

New England tight end Rob Gronkowski led my Team Priceless in the UPC Hood Fantasy Football League to a win this week, my fifth win of the season to go along with six losses. Gronkowski scores 25 fantasy points during New England's 59-24 rout of the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, but the Patriots coaching staff kept "The Gronk" in the game long enough for him to come up with an arm injury which will keep him out of the lineup for a few weeks. That will pretty well block any chances I have of making the fantasy league playoffs. Maybe I should change my team name from Team Priceless to Team Luckless.

Photo: Former UofA tight end Rob Gronkowski  

Carey national rushing leader

Arizona running back Ka'Deem Carey leads the nation in rushing with 1,585 yards. Carey, just a sophomore for the Wildcats, is 21 yards ahead of the runner up from Nevada, junior tailback Stefphon Jefferson who has amassed 1,564 yards. Way to go, Ka'Deem. Now let's add to the pile on Friday. We're just five days away from the "Big One" -- Arizona State vs. Arizona.

A gutsy win in Salt Lake for Wildcats

I doubt there were too many Arizona fans, nor too many members of the Wildcats coaching staff who expected an easy win in Salt Lake City tonight. It was a rough one, but the Wildcats prevailed as they edged the Utah Utes, 34-24. With an injured shoulder, Ka'Deem Carey somehow rushed for 204 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown in leading Arizona to its seventh win of the season. Quarterback Matt Scott returned to the Wildcats' lineup and threw a touchdown pass, rushed for another score and directed his team to a hard-fought win. Scott picked up 160 yards through the air and rushed for 74 yards. Austin Hill stepped up as well and caught six passes for 96 yards -- including an 18-yard TD reception. Arizona moves to 7-4 and is guaranteed a winning season.

The Irish eyes are smiling

The Irish eyes are smiling. A crazy night in college football as the top two BCS teams go down, allowing Notre Dame to move to the top and needing a win over USC next week to punch their ticket to Miami. Baylor crushes No. 1 Kansas State 52-24, while Stanford beats the 2nd-ranked team in the BCS, Oregon, 17-14 in overtime. The first time since 2007 that the top teams in the BCS have fallen, together. You gotta love college football!

Sometimes the last inning doesn't go your way

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)

60-and-over-baseball


Sometimes the last inning doesn't go your way. On Friday, in a Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) game, Team Blue edged Team White, 6-5. It looked like Team White had the makings of a big inning when they came to bat in the top of the seventh and final inning. They had the heart of their order up and needed to slap two runs across to take the lead. Hard-hitting shortstop Doc "The Cyclone Kid" Thompson hit a sharp, two-hopper to Lloyd "Baby Bull" Barzell at third, but Barzell took one step to his left, gloved the ball and threw a strike to first base to nip Thompson. Danny "Pigpen" Price followed with a hard hit ball to deep right field but Robert "Nuke" Royer took one step back, put his glove in the air and came down with the ball for the second out. Jesse Ochoa reached on an error and Bob Stofft settled in at the plate, representing the go-ahead run. Stofft fouled off a couple of pitches thrown by Pete "Lefty" Cerenzia and then hit a shot to left field. Leon "The Reviver" Glasshoffer took two steps forward and made a diving catch to end the game.  Cerenzia gets the win and Billy "Doc" Heiny is saddled with the loss. Oh, well. There's always next week.

Daughter-in-law on the run

Fresh off a completion of a half marathon held in Phoenix earlier this month, my daughter-in-law Amber Price is revving up for the El Tour de Tucson. After averaging slightly over seven minute miles over a 13.1 course,  running through the twist and turns in and around Tempe and competing with over 3, 000 women, Amber will now turn to biking and compete with her team in the 60-mile race around Tucson. Amber will begin her journey near Swan and Sunrise and complete the course Saturday morning at Armory Park. Good luck, Amber. Go get 'em.

Tour note: Amber (photo above) will be part of a women's team, the Team Soul Ladies, and sponsored by Royal Kia.

Amber Alert (Nov. 18, 2012): Amber finishes 60-mile race in 3 hours, 30 minutes, 418 overall. Congrats, Amber. The top women's finisher was Emily Wood from Clemson, SC in a time of two hours, and 30 minutes. Eric Marcotte won the 111-mile race in four hours and 13 minutes.

Steady Lyons leads 12th-ranked Wildcats to 2nd win

Arizona's shooting guard Mark Lyons continues to get it done for the Wildcats. After scoring 17 points in the season opener against Charleston Southern, Lyons pours in another 17 points tonight at McKale Center as the Wildcats roll to a 72-51 win over the UTEP Miners. The Wildcats led most of the way and enjoyed leads of eight to 17 points. Arizona used a 13-point run late in the second half to put the Tim Floyd-coached Miners away. Lyons went 5 for 9 from the field -- included 3 of 5 three-pointers, as the Wildcats canned 9 of 18 from three-point land. Arizona, ranked 12th in the nation,  moves to 2-0 and will take on Long Beach State on Monday at McKale.

Teammates again...

Two players on the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) 60-and-over baseball team were teammates 42 years ago. Tim Tolson and Jeff Rein are the youngest players on the TOTS, an organized baseball club which plays three days a week at Udall Park. Tim and Jeff were teammates on the Sahuaro High School team in 1970. Both are now 60 years of age and both can still recall the days when they took the field for the Cougars. "It was a long time ago," Rein said. "I played outfield and Tim was a first baseman." Tim likes having his former teammate as a member of the TOTS. "My father (Brad Tolson) recently retired from active duty as a TOT after 21 years. So I'm the new kid on the block, along with Jeff.  Jeff just joined the club and it's great to have a former Sahuaro alum on the team." Tim lead the TOTS in home runs this year and Jeff, well he's just getting his feet wet, so to speak. Go TOTS and go Cougars!

Photo: Former Tucson Sahuaro High School teammates and now members of the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) Tim Tolson, the big fella on the left, and Jeff Rein.

March 19, 1966

With the UTEP Miners coming to town on Thursday to face our Arizona Wildcats, it makes me think back to March 19, 1966. I was 20 years old, old enough at the time that I will always remember and never forget what happened that day on the court inside the Cole Field House at the University of Maryland. For it was on that day, the all-black starting five from El Paso, Texas, known then as the Texas Western Miners, upset the powerful Kentucky Wildcats for the National Title. I can still relive in my mind the historic game as Bobby Joe Hill, David Lattin, Orsten Artis, Nevil Shed, Harry Flournoy...and also Willie Cager and Willie Worsley, all logged their share of minutes on the court, en route to a championship win over the Wildcats, coached by the legendary coach Adolph Rupp. But on that day, it was the Miners' coach Don Haskins and his tight-knit group of players that got the upper hand on Rupp and the powerful Wildcats as the Miners won the title, 72-65. If there ever was a time to grab a morning edition of a sports page, March 20, 1966, would have been that day. The headlines read: Texas Western stuns Kentucky...and the world.

Mega Powers falls in fantasy league

My Fantasy Football League

Previously unbeaten Mega Powers lost 110-104 to suh-nami in Week 10 of the UPC Hood Fantasy Football League as things are getting a little interesting as the league heads into Week 11. Suh-nami received 26 fantasy points from New Orleans tight end Jimmy Graham and it was just enough to knock Mega Powers down a notch. Mega Powers still sits atop the standings at 9-1, while Blitz is in second at 6-3-1. Nut Rub edged A-Team this week, while Three Feet Right beats the Assassins, Team Arps gets by Blitz and Team Priceless upends trojan girl. Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan turned out to be the big fantasy-point leader this week as he totaled 43 points for Team Arps. Ryan tosses three touchdown passes and totals 411 passing yards for the Falcons, and in the real world previously-unbeaten Atlanta goes down 31-27 to New Orleans on Sunday. My team, Team Priceless, wins 111-78 this week thanks to the Dallas defense (24 fantasy points), Cowboys' quarterback Tony Romo (20 points), Tennessee's running back Chris Johnson (18 points) and Philadelphia's wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (15 points).

Royals Baseball

My grandson, Jadon Price, is right where he needs to be as a player on the Royals Baseball 13-and-over team. Jadon is the starting center fielder for the Royals and this weekend Jadon and his teammates brought home another first-place trophy at the Veterans Day Memorial Tournament at Tucson Sports Park. Congrats to Jadon and the Royals, who are all members and players of the Arizona International Baseball Consortium (AIBC).

The academy is run by George Arias (U of A All-American and 15-year MLB Player) and Laura Espinosa Watson (3-time U of A Softball All-American). The academy's mission is to teach Tucson's youth life skills and core values through the games of baseball and softball. The academy is the only one of its kind in Tucson targeting at risk youth by offering scholarship opportunities and academic assistance. The academy is endorsed by Edgar Soto (Pima CC Athletics Director) and also has endorsements from Andy Lopez (U of A Baseball) and Mike Candrea (U of A Softball).

Hats off to George Arias and the academy...and Jadon, of course. Bottom photo: Jadon and his teammates. Jadon is in front row, far right.

Wildcats get a tester in basketball opener

Charleston Southern did some dancin' at McKale Center tonight. It wasn't the Lindy, the Charleston, nor was it the East Coast shuffle, instead it was an effective 2-3 zone defense as the Buccaneers kept it close before bowing to the Arizona Wildcats, 82-73. The 2012-13 season opener for the 'Cats turned into a real tussle. Charleston Southern kept it close all the way and were within two points (59-57) with just eight minutes remaining. But in the end the 'Cats simply had too many weapons as five players finished in double figures of the 10 Wildcats that graced the court at McKale. Mark Lyons scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half, while Solomon Hill scored 14, Brandon Ashley and Nick Johnson netted 12 apiece and Jordin Mayes added 10. The Wildcats shot over the zone and made 11 of 32 three-point attempts and shot 45 percent (27 of 60) from the field for the night. So, tonight the 'Cats were pushed a little, but the bottom line: Arizona is 1-0 and can now prepare for the Tim Floyd-coached UTEP Miners on Thursday.

The time was right for Carey to roll

If there was ever a time for an elite college football player to succeed, it was this afternoon at Arizona Stadium. Sophomore running back Ka'Deem Carey had it all going his way. Arizona's starting quarterback Matt Scott was on the sideline and the Wildcats were forced to put the passing attack on the back burner and make the running attack a priority. The Wildcats opponent, the Colorado Buffaloes, came to town with the reputation as the worst defensive team against the rush in the Pac-12.. and they brought along the stats to prove it. So, the 'Cats sent backup quarterback B.J. Denker into the fire to think run first and pass second. After a mishandled exchange to start the game, Denker quickly found his target -- place the ball in the hands of Carey and let him loose. The result: Arizona wins its homecoming game 56-31 as Carey runs wild, scoring five touchdowns while racking up a Pac-12 Conference record of 366 yards. I expected 200 yards...maybe 250 and maybe three scores from Carey. In fact, my prediction of a 41-12 Arizona victory turned out to be a little short. Way to go, Carey! Nice job, Mr. Denker! B.J. in his first start for the Wildcats throws two TD passes and rushes for another. It all adds up to 56 points! Mission accomplished. Up next: A road trip to Utah and then the big regular-season finale at home against the Arizona State Sun Devils -- a loser today in LA, 38-17, to the USC Trojans.

Up bright and early for my Wildcats

I'm up bright and early for my Arizona Wildcats. Well, early anyway. It's not very bright out at six in the morning in the Old Pueblo. Game time is just five hours away. The tailgaters will be lining up soon. The students should just be getting home from their Friday night, pregame parties, just in time to spruce up and get ready to rumble. The clock is ticking and we should know somewhere around 2 p.m. if the Wildcats have their sixth win or not and we can let the BOWLING talk begin. For most of us Wildcat fans it's just a matter of rearranging our schedule a bit. After all, it's normally mid-afternoon before we get too excited about what's happening at Arizona Stadium. Colorado vs. Arizona. Go, Wildcats!

Bookemdanosports: Remember to use key words

Remember to use key words in my search engine, either at the top left hand corner on the profile page of Bookemdanosports or in the blog roll box which is located on the right side of the page. For example type in TSBN (my newly formed network for TOTS baseball) and presto you should get game highlights of past games or other info regarding the 60-and-over club. Or, just simply plug in TOTS. If you're a Wildcat fan as in ARIZONA WILDCATS just key in our beloved 'Cats. At 1,200 stories and counting, it is just an easier way to maneuver around my blog. Good hunting.

Another nail-biter at Udall Park

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)

60-and-over-baseball


Another nail-biter Friday morning at Tucson Udall Park. It must be the weather. There's something in the air this week as all the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) 60-and-over baseball games have gone down to the wire. Pete "Lefty" Cerenzia carried a two-hitter into the fourth inning today and his Team Blue held a 4-0 lead when Team White came to bat in the bottom of the inning. Catcher Bill Heiny ignited a Team White rally with a 2-run RBI single to right field and before Cerenzia and his teammates could get the final out Team White had pulled even at 4-4. Chico "Rubber Arm" Bigham continued to mow down the Team Blue batters, including the top of the seventh when he induced two ground outs and a strike out to close out Team Blue's final at bat. Team White needed just one run in the bottom of the seventh and they got just that as shortstop Lloyd Barzell singled in Dennis Crowley with the game-winner. TOTS White wins it  5-4.  Three more games are on tap next week as the good weather continues. There was a chance of rain this morning, but instead the weather was perfect with a 70-degree temperature at game time. A beautiful day for baseball as the sun found its way through the clouds and the senior ball players took the field.

Meet the TOTS

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)

The TOTS Outfielders

Joe Aparicio, 78, Born: Santa Paula, CA.....Member of the TOTS since 1998.....A diehard San Francisco Giants fan...Loves to play right field.....Nickname: I guess "Shoeless Joe" is taken, so "No Way, Jose" seems to be a perfect fit.

Albert Bleecker, 75, Born: New York City, NY.....Member of the TOTS since 2010.....Nickname: "Big Al" -- may have to work on that one.

Archie Burke, 80, Born: La Crosse, WI.....Member of the TOTS since 1991.....a retired teacher.....Nickname: Still working on it.

Carl Brutovsky, 76, Born: Johnson City, NY.....Member of the TOTS since 1999.....A switch hitter who is still pretty quick down the first baseline.....Nickname: "Mr. Speed".

Joe Dinich, 69, Born: Pottsville, PA.....Member of the TOTS since 2008.....A hard-hitter, hits to all fields.....Nickname: Jury still out on nickname.

Edward Eckert, 72, Born: Green Bay, WI.....Member of the TOTS since 1996..... Lives in Phoenix....Can play all positions.....Nickname: Jury still out on nickname.

Leon Glasshoffer, 73, Born: Providence, RI.....Member of the TOTS since 2003.....Gives classes on CPR....WE need him.....Nickname: "The Reviver Man".

Bob Katz, 75, Born: Philadelphia, PA.....Member of the TOTS since 2005.....He leads the club in walks...he has a good eye at the plate.....Nickname: "Mr. Patience at the plate", but Bob, a retired Marine, has a better tag: In the service they called him "Gunner".

Denny Leonard, 75, Born: Edmonton, Alberta.....Member of the TOTS since 1992.....Hails from Canada...a former police officer.....Bats left, throws right.....Nickname: "The Mounty"

Richard McCorkle, 79, Born: Tucson, AZ.....Member of the TOTS since 1992.....Nickname: Jury still out on nickname.

John Misiaszek, 63, Born: London, England.....Member of the TOTS since 2011....A Psychiatrist (our club needs one of those, too).....Nickname: "The Englishman".

Robert Royer, 75, Born: Reading, PA.....Member of the TOTS since 2004 and a former manager of the  club.....Our only Nuclear Engineer on the club.....Nickname: That's a tough one, let's go with "Nuke"

Ed Seelbinder, 66, Born: Olean, NY.....Member of the TOTS since 2009.....Another former police officer.....likes to put on the gear and catch behind the plate as well.....Nickname: "The Cyclist" -- he likes to ride his bike to the ball field.

Jeff Rein, 61, Born: Tucson, AZ.....Member of the TOTS since 2012.....One of the youngest ball players on the club and hits the ball with authority.....Nickname: "The CEO" -- a former "Top Dog" with Walgreens.

Jesse Ochoa, 61, Born: Tucson, AZ.....Member of the TOTS since 2012.....Nickname: The "Sweeper" -- loves to sweep out the dugouts.

Arnold Segovia, 61, Born: Morenci, AZ.....Member of the TOTS since 2012.....Nickname: Still working on it.

Jack Glickman, 85, Born: New York, NY.....Member of the TOTS since 1991.....The second oldest active TOT.....Nickname: "Jack the Ripper" -- he likes to pull the ball down the third baseline.

Joel Blutfield, 63, Born: Staten Island, NY.....Member of tje TOTS since 2012.....Nickname: Still working on it.

Bob Stofft, 73, Born: Minneapolis, MN.....Member of the TOTS since 2012.....Nickname: One of the new guys, still working on it.

Jim Pagels, 64, Born: Two Rivers, WI.....Member of the TOTS since 2009.....The "Man in the Dugout".....Keeps tabs of us all....Nickname: "The Scorekeeper".

Photos: Top to bottom: 1) Joe Aparicio 2) Al Bleecker 3) Archie Burke 4) Carl Brutovsky 5) Edward Eckert (6) Leon Glasshoffer 7) Denny Leonard 8) Robert Royer 9) Ed Seelbinder 10) Jeff Rein 11) Jack Glickman 12) Joel Blutfield 13) Bob Stofft 14) Jim Pagels 15) Bob Katz 16) Jesse Ochoa 17) Ed Eckert 18) Arnold Segovia 19) John Misiaszek.

Meet the TOTS

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)

Meet the TOTS shortstops


Ed Rife, 75, Born: Akron, Ohio.....Member of the TOTS since 2000.....A smooth infielder and one the TOTS top pitchers.....Nickname: "Mr. Smooth".

Arnie White, 71, Born: Fulton, New York.....Member of the TOTS since 2010.....Currently a professor at the UofA.....owns a ranch in Montana....Played in his second MSBl/MABL World Series this year.....Nickname: "Cowboy".

Dave Rhoades, 68, Born: Greely, CO.....Member of the TOTS since 2005.....A Rockies' fan.....Currently a Financial Advisor.....Nickname: "Money"

Dennis Crowley, 63, Born: Boston, MA......Member of the TOTS since 2010.....A left hander and the "fastest" TOT.....Nickname: "Wheels".

Delon "Doc" Thompson, 70, Born: Roland, IA.....Member of the TOTS since 2011.....A Country Western singer.....travels the country promoting his Albums.....A hard-throwing right hander.....played in the minor leagues in the 1960s.....Nicknames: "The Music Man" and "The Cyclone Kid" -- he once played and pitched for the Iowa State Cyclones.

Chico Bigham, 74, Born: Monroe, NC.....Member of the TOTS since 1999.....A pitcher in the TOTS' rotation and known for his ability to pitch a lot of innings. Nicknames: "Rubber Arm" and "The Architect" -- also maintains our ball field, three days a week for 52 weeks, year in year out.

Ron Petersen, 65, Born: Lamars, IA.....Member of the TOTS since 2005.....Also in the TOTS' pitching rotation along with Rife, White, Crowley, Thompson, Bigham, Billy Heiny and Lloyd Barzell.....Lives and breathes baseball....once owned a baseball card store and helps run a local Fantasy Baseball League which has been existence for more than 20 years....Nickname: "Mr. Baseball".

Meet the TOTS catchers

Billy Heiny, 83, Born: Terre Haute, IN.....Member of the TOTS since 1997.....Catches, pitches, plays infield and outfield...does it all. Nickname: "Doc" -- he's a retired Dentist.

John Petrick, 70, Born: Burnet, TX.....Member of the TOTS since 2005.....Hails from Texas, spends part of the year in Tucson.....Nickname: "The Texan"

Dick McAnally, 80, Born: Tulsa, OK.....A retired attorney, the club needs at least one! Nickname: "Coach" -- I haven't found out why, but many of the players refer to him as such.

Pete Peters, 63, Born: Fairfield, IA.....Former fast-pitch softball pitcher....played in his first MSBL/MABL World Series this year.....Nickname: "Pistol Pete"  -- hurt his arm earlier in the year and could bounce the ball underhand on one hop, right on target, to second base.

Ron Kwart, 79, Born: Detroit, MI.....Former high school baseball coach and retired firefighter.....Nickname: "The Fireman".

Ted Davis, 61, Born: Athens, Alabama.....A former assistant Dean of Finance at the University of Arizona.....One of the youngest ball players on the TOTS.....A UofA fan -- the University of Alabama, that is...Nickname: "Alabama Redneck" (a no-brainer)

Photos: Top to bottom: 1) Ed Rife 2) Arnie White 3) Dennis Crowley 4) Delon "Doc" Thompson 5) Chico Bigham 6) Ted Davis 7) Ron Petersen 8) Billy Heiny 9) Ron Kwart 10) Dick McAnally 11) Pete Peters 12) John Petrick 13) Dave Rhoades