TOTS Senior Baseball Network
60-and-over baseball
The Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) baseball club has been around since 1968 and the players range in age from 60 to 88, so it is understandable that the "younger ones" get all the press, so to speak, when it comes to the monthly batting statistics. It's the 60-and-somethings that grab the majority of the hits, score the most times and drive in the most runs.
But it is the 80-and-over players who are the "heart" of the organization.
They've been around a while and they've paid their dues, so to speak. By the way, the dues for the senior baseball club is five dollars a month -- some of the "old-timers" have dished out more than $1200 bucks during a 20-year span!
The older players have seen their batting averages dwindle over time. But there was a time when they posted monthly batting averages of .400, .500 or .600. There was a time when they led the ball club in hits...and runs...and runs-batted-in.
The fact is they are still at it...still performing...and still running out the grounder to short. It's what the club is all about.
We honor our old-timers:
Floyd Lance, 88, is the oldest member of the club. Known as "Sir Floyd" due to his longevity with the organization, still plays a mean first base and bats over .300. Lance joined the club in 1999 and maintained a .500-plus batting average until 2012. Lance is from Glen Gardner, New Jersey.
Joe Aparicio, 80, joined the TOTS in 1998 and is currently in his 16th season. Joe is from Santa Paula, California.
Archie Burke, 81, joined the TOTS in 1991 and is currently in his 23rd season. Archie grew up in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Jack Glickman, 87, joined the TOTS in 1991 and is also in his 23rd season. Jack -- known as "Jack the Ripper" because he still pulls the ball down the line after all these years-- was born in New York, NY.
Billy Heiny, 84, will turn 85 in August and has been a member of the TOTS since 1997. A former dentist, Billy was born in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Ron Kwart, 81, has been a member of the TOTS since 2008. A retired Tucson Firefighter, Ron hails from Detroit, Michigan.
Richard McCorkle, 81, has been a member of the TOTS since 1992. Born in Tucson and retired from the Tucson Unified School District, Richard was recently awarded the club's Century Award, an award which goes to a player whose age and years of "playing time" reaches 100 years.
Dick McAnnaly, 81, has been a member of the TOTS since 1994. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Richard also received the Century Award April/2014.
Jerry Smarik, 82, has been a member of the TOTS since 1991 and is in his 23rd season. Jerry, a retired Navy man and a retiree from the postal service, was born in Detroit, Michigan.
Jack Graef, 80, has been a member of the TOTS since 2001. Jack, who turns 81 in September, hails from Brooklyn, New York. (not pictured)
Chuck Harkins, 83, has been a member of the TOTS since 1997. Chuck was born in Tracy City, Tennessee. (not pictured)
and last but not least...
Brad Tolson, 84, a member of the TOTS since 1991. Brad, known as the "Chairman of the Board" retired from active duty with the TOTS in 2012, handing over the reigns, and his jersey, to his 61-year-old son, Tim Tolson. It was the only father-son combination on the TOTS' roster.
There you have it. The "heart" of the TOTS.
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