TOTS' scorekeeper pays attention to details

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)

60-and-over baseball

Jim Pagels, 64, has been a member of the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) baseball team since 2009.

Due to health reasons, Jim no longer takes the field, but he's a familiar figure in the dugout. He pays special attention to the details of every game, for he's the TOTS' official scorekeeper and documents every hit, every run and every out.

He does it with a smile on his face. "I really enjoy it," says Pagels. "There's always something going on. No one seems to be off limits, everyone takes a ribbing. It's a lot of fun."

As you can imagine, when a bunch of 60-and-over ball players get together for their brand of baseball, there's bound to be a funny story or two. The TOTS have been around since 1968, and every year you can expect more of the same...as each member takes his verbal shot at one club member, or another.

As for Mr. Pagels, well he definitely knows a lot about detail. Documenting a hit or run in a score book is nothing compared to his work over the years as a printer.

Pagels (above photo) has been written up in the Arizona Daily Star for his work in the historic town of Tubac as an operator of the old style Washington Hand Press which was used to print Arizona's first newspaper.

At certain times of the year, Jim volunteers his time and provides the visitors at the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park with a glimpse into the past. Jim rolls the ink and puts the paper to the metal as he demonstrates what the old Washington Press is still capable of doing -- just like it did back in 1859.

The original press was made of iron and weighs a ton. The press that Jim works on is one of three in the state of Arizona. The other two are in Prescott and Tombstone.

Chances are Jim will continue to be on hand in Tubac from time to time. Dressed in pioneer garb, Jim will "roll the presses" and relive a process which took place over 150 years ago...a process which would eventually take the world of print into the 20th century.

We are now in the 21st century and many say newspapers are quickly becoming a thing of the past. As a former newspaper reporter, I will miss reading the morning paper -- if that day ever comes to pass. If that happens, I'll  have to rethink my mornings and turn to my laptop, or turn on CNN, to get "my fix" on the daily news.

I can always take a trip to Tubac,  see Jim,  and relive the past.

Thank goodness, the TOTS have Jim in the dugout. There's always room for a scorekeeper in baseball. Even that scenario is changing! Score books are slowly becoming a thing of the past as computers are slowly replacing the old way of documenting a baseball game.

Don't worry, Jim. The TOTS would never stand for such a change!