TOTS "cool it" and go six innings

TOTS Senior Baseball Network

60-and-over baseball


The Tucson Old Timers waited as long as they could, but the 103-degree temperature yesterday forced the oldest organized baseball team in the country to cut back to six-inning games.

The TOTS go seven innings from October to May and sometimes, if the weather permits, they just might make it to June before the big change.

The games certainly go faster and most of the old timers are home in time to watch their favorite soap opera with their spouses. Following the "lives" of the characters on The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful is the norm for some of the TOTS -- not all. After all there is yard work to be done and some of the members of the team have giant to-do list on the refrigerator upon their arrival at home -- following a grueling two-hour baseball game.

It's the life of an active senior athlete.

Yesterday's game ended in a 6-6 tie, another one of those "kiss your sister" games. Some of the players muttered, "Let's go seven."  But, no. A rule is a rule.

Team White had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the sixth inning when Mike Steele and Chico Bigham opened the inning with singles off Team Blue's 85-year-old hurler Billy Heiny, but Team White went quietly after that with two ground outs and a pop up to short to end the first six-inning game of the year.

For some of the die-hard players on the TOTS, they can't wait till October when the club returns to the seven-inning encounters. Until then, I guess we'll have to enjoy the HEAT!

As for The Young and the Restless, Victoria is pregnant again and no one is sure who the father is, while Adam is still missing and presumed dead after a violent car crash. I can't wait until the next episode.