TOTS' game ends in a deadlock

TOTS  Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)

60-and-over baseball

The last inning in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) baseball game at Udall Park today was full of surprises.

Sixty-eight year old left hander Ron Petersen faced the heart of the Team Blue order in the top of sixth inning. With the game tied at 4-4, Petersen needed to get through three .500-plus career hitters in Dennis Crowley, Pigpen Price and Bob Daliege, three players who rarely strike out and normally spray the ball to all parts of Udall Park.

But not today.

Petersen (photo above) fanned Crowley, then caught Price looking on a fastball at the knees and ended the top of the sixth with a strike out of Daliege. Team Blue returned to the field for the bottom of the sixth inning, wondering what hit them.

"That's a first for me," Petersen said, following the game. "I wasn't expecting that outcome. I thought I was in real trouble when the inning started."

Petersen and Team White came to bat needing one run to the put the game away. The momentum had shifted as Crowley, a lefty, faced Chico Bigham to start Team White's final at bat. Bigham hit a shot to short, too tough for Daliege to handle and Bigham was aboard. Crowley then walked Petersen and gave up a single to center by Brian Reilly to load the bases.

Crowley was in trouble, but struck out Ed Seelbinder for the first out and then went to work as he faced 81-year-old Jerry Smarik. Smarik took a couple of pitches and then laced a line drive to short, Daliege plucked the ball out of the air and threw a strike to Price at third base to double up Bigham for the final out of the game.

Both teams left the field with another "kiss your sister" game in the books.

You never know how a TOTS' game is going to end!