Art Radtke -- The Communicator

TOTS Senior Baseball Network

60-and-over baseball

Art Radtke turns 76 in July and has been a member of the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) baseball team since 2003. Art is affectionately known on the team as "The Communicator" for his ability to carry on a conversation in the dugout.

Art doesn't need a big audience. In fact, there are times when his teammates take the field, leaving him alone in the dugout, still jawing away, discussing one topic or another -- like the price of corn back in the Midwest or something more closer to home, like the strategy used by the ballplayers who just ended the inning with a double play.

But this spring, Art's topic of conversation has centered around his granddaughter, Lauren Radtke. Lauren, a junior at Desert Christian High School, is a hard-throwing right-hander on the Screaming Eagles softball team and she just finished an outstanding season with a 14-6 record.

"She's a fighter and she can hit too," says Art. "Desert Christian lost last week to San Manuel and were eliminated from the playoffs, but Lauren will be back next season for her senior year, along with her little sister, Taylor, who just completed her freshman year."

Taylor isn't the little sister any longer. Taylor is 5-4 and Lauren is 5-1. Taylor is a catcher and a shortstop, while Lauren plays third base when she's not on the mound.

Desert Christian went 17-9-1 this season, but with the Radtke girls returning in 2015, the Eagles will be looking forward to a 20-win season and a big postseason run next year.

As for Grandpa Radtke, he will continue to jaw away in the TOTS' dugout for years to come. Art recently spent a couple weeks in the hospital, but has battled back from an illness and is back in the dugout and  back on the ball field. Art played in just five game during the month of April and had one hit, but he did play in 50 games in 2013 and maintained a .219 batting average.

Art's teammates are glad to have him back. The dugout has been too quiet.

Photos:  Grandpa Radtke and the Radtke girls, Taylor on the left, Lauren on the right.