Give Billy the ball!

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

The second oldest member of the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) is 86-year-old Billy Heiny.

Heiny, a well-known Tucson dentist, spent many years terrorizing (just kidding!) his patients in a dental chair. Now, he frustrates the TOTS' batters with his not-so-fast fastball and a slower-than-molasses curve ball.

The slender right-hander, wears a helmet when he pitches, just in case one of his teammates happens to get the bat on the ball and sends a comebacker his way.

It doesn't happen very often. Most of the time, the batters over swing and send a bouncing ground ball to an infielder, who in turn makes a pinpoint throw to first base for the out. It happens over and over again. He's just hard to hit.

Heiny joined the TOTS in 1997. That's 18 years  "Doc" Heiny has taken the mound. "Give the ball to Billy," the fans in the stands say. "If anybody can do it, Billy can!"

"I was close to 70 years old before I started playing baseball," Heiny said. "I enjoy playing for the TOTS. I love every minute of it."

Heiny doesn't always win, but he doesn't always lose, either. In 2014, Billy won 11 games. So far in 2015, Billy has five wins to his credit...and he's facing guys (at times) who are 20 to 25 years younger than he is!

Way to go, Billy!