Here comes the Judge

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Chuck Sabalos, 66, a retired Pima County Superior Court Judge and a member of the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) since 2010, is currently swinging a hot bat at Udall Park.

Sabalos, a catcher who once caught former major leaguer Pat Darcy during his "high school days" at Tucson Rincon High School,  is having his best January ever with the TOTS.

The jury is out on how the rest of the month will pan out, but for now, in two games, Sabalos is 5 for 6 with six RBI -- including a 3 for 3 day this morning at Udall Park as he led Team White to 7-1 win over Team Blue.

"Maybe I should quit now while I'm ahead," Sabalos said. "That's the best two games I have put together since I've been with the TOTS."

Chuck, who is still recovering from a serious foot injury, played in just 13 games in 2015 and 11 games in 2016 and had a combined total of 14 hits. He's almost half way to that total after two games this month.

The TOTS are happy to have The Judge back. The organization can always use catchers. There's not many 60-and-over catchers around.

As for today's game, the winning pitcher was Arnie White, who pitched seven strong innings for Team White and picked up the win. Bob Daliege pitched for Team Blue and was saddled with the loss.

"We just didn't hit the ball very well today," said Daliege.

In fact, the only run scored off of White came in the sixth inning when Pigpen Price hit a slow roller to short and the throw to first was in the dirt and the runner scored from third.

"That's the best I've thrown in a while," said White, who spends a good portion of the winter in Tucson and the rest of the year at his ranch in Montana.

The TOTS hope to get all three games in next week at Udall, weather permitting. A front is moving in  over the weekend and could cause havoc with the field. The TOTS have had a lot of rainouts the past couple of months.

The old-timers don't like the rain. They'd rather play baseball.

As for The Judge, the TOTS are glad to have another catcher in their midst. And the fact Sabalos has put down his gavel and is now swinging a hot bat, is a plus.

Way to go, CHUCKIE!

Photos of Chuck Sabalos