3 members of TOTS to play for San Antonio at MSBL World Series

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Three members of the Tucson Old Timers will play for the 70-and-over San Antonio Texans at the 2015 Men's Senior Baseball League (MSBL) World Series, which is scheduled for Oct. 18-24 in Phoenix, Arizona.

The trio consists of 73-year-old right-hander Arnie White, 70-year-old left-hander Ron Petersen and 70-year-old infielder and right-handed pitcher Pigpen Price.

All three players played in 2014 for the Arizona Scorpions, but elected to make the change this season. The San Antonio team is managed by William Burgess from Adkins, Texas.

Burgess is well known at the MSBL event in Phoenix. He started playing in 1994 after not throwing a baseball for over 30 years. Since 1994, Burgess has missed just one October at the classic senior event.

"We decided to make the switch to San Antonio due to the fact the Texans are looking to bolster their pitching staff," says Price. "We're looking forward to playing for the Texans and can't wait to get started in yet another MSBL World Series."

All three players are also slated to play for the 65-and-over Tucson Aces, a team made up entirely of players from the Tucson Old Timers, and coached by TOTS member Pistol Pete Peters. The Aces will play Oct 24-30.

Diamondbacks are snake bit

Arizona Diamondbacks


The Arizona Diamondbacks drop 2 of 3 in their last three-game series at Chase Field and now head for San Diego for three games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Diamondbacks (35-37) just can't get to the .500 mark. The last time the Diamondbacks were at .500 was back in April when they sported an 8-8 record.

Arizona is getting quality efforts on the mound from its current starters, but the bullpen just can't hold serve (using a tennis term) down the stretch. Case in point: Yesterday, Rubby De La Rosa goes seven innings and allows one run on five hits and leaves the game with a 2-1 lead. Daniel Hudson relieves in the eighth and the Diamondbacks eventually lose, 6-4.

At least, Paul Goldschmidt is getting the job done and he'll probably have to end up as the National League's most valuable player for the Diamondbacks to have a shot at the NL West. Goldy leads the team in all the major categories with a .354 batting average, 91 hits, 20 home runs and 60 RBI.

Congrats to Johnson, Hollis-Jefferson

NBA 2015 Draft


Arizona's Stanley Johnson selected eighth overall and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson selected number 23 in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft tonight.

Johnson goes to the Detroit Pistons and Hollis-Jefferson ends up in Portland with the Trailblazers.

Way to go, Stanley and Rondae!

NBA Update:  Hollis-Jefferson traded to Brooklyn, one hour after being selected by the Portland Trailblazers.

Flyin' high at Udall Park

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball


The 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers play baseball at Udall Park three days a week.

They have an overseer. See Below:

The hawk does the flying...the TOTS not so much. See Below:

Photos by Conrad Royksund: (from top to bottom) 1. Pete Peters flyin' high after a catch. 2. Bobby Stofft flyin' by third base. 3. Shortstop Mike Steele has one get away. 4 and 5. Denny Leonard stretches for the ball at first  base and then eventually makes the tag. 6. Lloyd Barzell -- the winning pitcher in Wednesday's game. 7. The losing pitcher -- Pigpen Price. The final score Team Blue 10 Team White 9.

A-Rod homers for 3,000th hit, 667 career home runs

Alex Rodriguez homered in the first inning last night for his 3,000th hit and 667th career home run as the New York Yankees beat Detroit, 7-2.

It was A-Rod's 13th home run of the season. He becomes the 29th player in major league history to reach 3,000 hits.

Hot weather can't stop the TOTS

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball


The hot weather can't stop the members of the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers.

Team Blue edges Team White 11-10 on Friday as the temperature reaches 110 by the end of the day at Udall Park.

See action below:

"I got there, first!"  Pete Peters beats the throw to first.

89-year-old Floyd Lance safe at first base.

The "Alabama Redneck" Ted Davis connects...

Pigpen Price makes the play at third as shortstop Lloyd Barzell throws to third to force out Ted Davis.

Photos by Conrad Royksund

Diamondbacks just can't give over the hump

Arizona Diamondbacks


Win a few, lose a few.

The Arizona Diamondbacks split a four-game, home-and-home series with the LA Angels, losing the final game of the set 7-1 today at Chase Field and fail to reach the .500 mark, again.

The Angels knock around Allen Webster today as the Diamondback pitcher allows five hits and six runs in 5.1 innings of work. Webster gives up the long ball twice in the third inning -- once to Johnny Giavotella and the other to Taylor Featherston.

Arizona falls to 32-34, still two games below the .500 mark.

Ochoa 2-0 in June

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Right-hander Jesse Ochoa is getting the job done on the mound this month for the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers (TOTS).

Ochoa won his second game in a week with another 8-6 victory today at Udall Park.  Ochoa, 63, won by the same score on Wednesday, June 10.

This time, Ochoa was helped out by his teammates as the Team White infield --made up of Floyd Lance at first base, Pigpen Price at second, Pete Peters at shortstop and Doc Thompson at third -- turned four key double plays, which kept Team Blue from tallying too many runs.

Way to go, Jesse. Keep the wins coming.

Photo: Jesse Ochoa

Warriors win NBA title

NBA Finals


It's official.

Steve Kerr, the former Arizona Wildcat, has his NBA title as the Golden State Warriors win Game 6 of the NBA Finals last night in Cleveland and capture the championship series, 4-2, over  Sir James and the Cavs.

For Coach Kerr, a first. His Warriors go 67-15 during the regular season and storm through all the playoffs and discard the play of the Cavs' big man James in the championship finale to win, 105-97, behind the 25-point effort from another former Wildcat, Andre Iguodala.

And for an added Wildcat touch, assistant Golden State coach Luke Walton was on hand to celebrate the Warriors' first NBA title in 40 years, as was the player development assistant coach, Bruce Fraser, yet another former Wildcat.

Hats off to Kerr, Iguodala, Walton and Fraser.

Go, Wildcats.

Kerr and Warriors one game away from NBA title

NBA Finals


Stephen Curry scored 37 points and led the Golden State Warriors to a 104-91 win over Cleveland in Game 5 last night in Oakland, allowing first-year coach and former Arizona Wildcat Steve Kerr to advance to Game 6 of the NBA Finals with a 3-2 advantage.

LeBron James poured in 40 points and completed another triple-double for the Cavs, but it wasn't enough and the Warriors are in the driver's seat -- one win away from the NBA title.

Game 6 is scheduled for Wednesday night, back in Cleveland.

Go, Steve Kerr...and assistant coach Luke Walton, of course...and the big man -- former Wildcat, Andre Iguodala, who helped the Warriors' cause last night with his aggressive play and 14 points.

Diamondbacks right the ship in San Francisco

Arizona Diamondbacks


After losing three games in Los Angeles to the Dodgers, the Arizona Diamondbacks right the ship in San Francisco as they sweep the Giants behind pitching gems from Chase Anderson, Allen Webster and Rubby De La Rosa.

Anderson allows two hits on Friday in a 1-0 shutout, Webster, in his first start as a Diamondback, allowed just four hits in a 4-2 victory on Saturday and today the Giants fall to Arizona as De La Rosa breezes to a 4-0 win, tossing a shutout for eight innings.

Arizona improves to 30-32 and heads for Anaheim to play two games with the LA Angels and then returns home for two more with the Angels in a home-and-home four-game series.

Under the radar gun...

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

The man with the gun...

Some of the pitchers on the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers baseball club were under the gun this week at Udall Park.

Rest assured Aroldis Chapman wasn't among the bunch of TOTS' flame throwers.

This week the top three were DeLon "Doc" Thompson, Pigpen Price and Bob Daliege.

Thompson was clocked at 62 mph on his fastball and 54 on his curve ball, while Price unleashed a 55 mile an hour fastball and his curve ball crossed the plate at 48 mph. Daliege was clocked at 54 and 45, respectively.

Not to shabby for some "old" arms. Thompson is 72, Price will turn 70 in July and Daliege is the "young stud" at 67.

The radar gun belongs to club member David Villasenor.

As for the game this morning at Udall Park, Thompson pitched a total of 12 innings and was the winner and the loser. Explanation: Thompson pitched for both teams as Team Blue won the game over Team White, 5-1.

"I was pleased with my pitching today," Thompson said. "I didn't get hit very hard." Thompson has battled back from knee surgery in 2014 and is improving with every mound appearance.

All three pitchers are trying to get their pitching arms into shape in the coming months as the trio plans to participate in the 2015 Men's Senior Baseball League World Series, scheduled for mid-October in Phoenix.

Hopefully, the three TOTS' flamethrowers will add a few mores mph to their fastball by October.

Photos:  (top) Thompson, (middle) Price, (bottom) Daliege...also shown: "the man with the gun" -- David "Radar" Villasenor

Warriors even NBA Finals at 2-2

NBA Finals


The Golden State Warriors take care of business tonight in Cleveland with a 103-82 win over the Cavs to even the NBA Finals at 2-2.

Stephen Curry and former Arizona Wildcat Andre Iguodala pump in 22 points apiece for the Warriors and Golden State and their head coach, former Arizona Wildcat Steve Kerr, head back home for Game 5, needing two more wins to claim the NBA title.

Golden State limited LeBron James to 20 points tonight. James hauled down 12 rebounds and dished out eight assists.

Way to go, Steve and Andre.

Ochoa picks up first win with the TOTS

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Jesse Ochoa, 63, has officially joined the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) pitching staff.

Ochoa, a member of the TOTS since 2012, had dabbled a bit on the mound during 2014 and has logged a few innings on occasion in 2015, but today he went the distance (six innings, the club's maximum innings during the hot summer months) and he picked up his first victory as TOTS Blue edged TOTS White, 8-6, at Udall Park.

"I'm happy with that (the victory)," said Ochoa, following the game. "My first win with the TOTS. I'll take it."

Ochoa struck out one and walked four and he got some run support from an unlikely source, 83-year old Jerry Smarik.

Smarik, better known as the "Rocket" for his lack of speed (that's his teammates' nickname for him), knocked in four runs today, one on an RBI-single and three more runs scored on fielder's choice plays.

Mike Steele, 67, was saddled with the loss today, going six innings in a losing cause. Steele tried his best to keep his team in the game offensively with four hits in five trips to the plate.

The TOTS will be back in action on Friday.

Photos: (top) Jesse Ochoa, (middle) Mike Steele, (bottom) Jerry Smarik.

Kerr, Warriors down 2-1

NBA Finals


Now Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors are in a bit of trouble.

Lebron James tosses in 40 points and the Cavs hold off the Warriors 96-91 in Cleveland last night in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Come on, Steve. Get 'em going.

Diamondbacks fail to reach the .500 mark

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondback ended up with a split of a four-game series with the New York Mets, including a 6-3 loss today at Chase Field. A win and the Diamondbacks would have reached the .500 mark on the season, instead they fall to 27-29 and head for LA and a three-game series with the Dodgers, beginning on Monday night.

The Diamondbacks collect just five hits today, not enough offense to beat the Mets.

A split for Kerr and the Warriors

NBA Finals

LeBron James poured in 39 points and the Cleveland Cavs stole a game in Oakland tonight, edging Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors, 95-93, in overtime to even the series at 1-1.

Kerr, the former Arizona Wildcat and the first-year coach of the Warriors, watched the final seconds tick away -- his team on the short end of an intense battle, and he'll leave with the Warriors tomorrow and head east to Cleveland for Game 3 and 4.

The Warriors received a 34-point effort from Klay Thompson, but it was James getting the job done  with a triple-double -- adding 16 rebounds and 11 assists to go along with his 39 points.

Go get 'em, Steve.

Baby Bull Barzell tosses shutout

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Lloyd "Baby Bull" Barzell tossed a shutout today in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) baseball game at Udall Park.

There wasn't a lot of hitting on either side this morning as Barzell and Team Blue won 6 -0 over Team White -- all six runs were unearned. Doc Thompson pitched for Team White and had his fastball working pretty well, but the lack of support offensively and defensively, especially in the early innings, led to the team's downfall.

The TOTS will back in action on Monday at Udall Park. Game time 9am.

Photo: Barzell

Diamondbacks take 2 of 3 from the Atlanta Braves

Arizona Diamondbacks

A.J. Pollock homered for the second consecutive game and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Atlanta Braves 9-8 today at Chase Field. Arizona improves to 25-27, winning 2 of 3 from the Braves.

The New York Mets are in town on Thursday and Jeremy Hellickson will take the mound for the Diamondbacks.

Tolson, Steele hit homers during 15-14 oldtimers' win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Thunder Tim Tolson blasted a three-run homer over the right field fence and Smilin' Mike Steele drilled an opposite-field, inside-the-park home run as Team Blue edged Team White 15-14 this morning at Udall Park.

Steele, a right-hander, picked up the win, while Jesse Ochoa, also a right-hander, was saddled with the loss.

There was a slight breeze when the game got underway, but the temperature took a big jump during the middle innings and by the end of the game it was becoming a bit unpleasant as the temperature soared to 100 degrees.

The TOTS games are heating up!

Photos: (top) Tolson, (bottom) Steele.

Five TOTS knocked in 20 or more runs in May

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Five players on the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) knocked in 20 or more runs during the month of May with Pistol Pete Peters taking top honors with 26 RBI. Peters went 29 for 55 during the month, a .527 average.

Not far behind were Jesse Ochoa with 24 and Lloyd Barzell with 23, while Tim Tolson and Doc Thompson finished with 20 RBI apiece. Barzell ended up with the top batting average for the month, going 35 for 51 for a healthy .686 batting average, while Bob Daliege was right behind him at .674 (31 hits in 46 at bats).

Barzell was a scoring machine in May. He crossed the plate 35 times. Tolson led the club in homers with two.

Way to go, TOTS!

Photo: Pistol Pete Peters