Boxberger's 2-run double highlights 7th inning comeback

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)

60-and-over baseball

Rookie Danny Boxberger, 63, ripped a two-run double down the first base line to highlight a three-run seventh inning as Team White came from behind to edge Team Blue 9-7 in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers baseball game today at Udall Park.

Boxberger (top photo), the newest member of the Tucson Old Timers, scored the third run of the inning on a groundout by Pigpen Price as Team White returned to the field needing three outs to pick up the hard-fought win.

With one out and a runner on first, Ed Seelbinder drilled a one hopper to Price at second base. Price threw to second for the force out and Team White shortstop Lloyd Barzell completed the double play to  end the game.

Right-hander Pete Peters picked up the win, while Chico Bigham, a right-hander who relieved Team Blue's starter Dennis Crowley in the sixth inning, was saddled with the loss. Speedster Jim Sears (bottom photo) had put Team Blue ahead 7-6 in the bottom of the sixth inning when he belted a triple down the third baseline.

Another one of those nail-biters at Udall Park. Rarely does one team win it with a blowout as the organization makes sure the teams are evenly matched -- most of the time. The TOTS have been around for 45 years and the pregame activities start with batting practice and the selection of the game's two managers who are also the pitchers of record for the day.

Then, it's a coin toss to see which manager gets first pick and it's a pecking order from there until all players are selected. The process has worked well for 45 years.

The TOTS will be at it again on Friday.

Go, TOTS!

TOTS footnote:  The Tucson Old Timers are now into their 46th season and play baseball every  Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Udall Park. Game time during the summer months is 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM during the fall and winter. Of course, it's the rising temperatures in late April which will convince the powers-to-be in the organization to change the starting time. Except for a few rain outs every now and then, it's year-around play for the TOTS, the oldest organized senior baseball team in the country.