Miguel's run

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Team White  6  Team Blue  5

Miguel Urtaza turns 75 next month. As a little boy growing up in Panuco, Veracruz, he undoubtedly "ran like the wind" -- much like many of the players on the current 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers used to do when they, too, played sandlot ball and could beat out a throw to second base with the best of them.

After seven decades, things change. Miguel can no longer be described as fleet of foot.

But there are times in a TOTS' game at Udall Park when it is necessary for Miguel, or a teammate, to turn on the afterburners. Today was one of those days.

With the morning temperature already hovering over the 100-degree mark and only hours away from the TOTS' home park turning into Death Valley with record-breaking temperatures expected, Team Blue and Team White had played to a 5-5 tie.

It looked like the game would end up a "kiss your sister affair" with no winner or loser. But Team White had found a way to load the bases with two outs and Urtaza had reached first base on a fielder's choice play.

Bob Daliege stepped to the plate and hit a ground ball to second. The runner at third scampered home. The Team Blue second baseman Ron Carlson knocked the ball down and threw to his shortstop Reed Palmer. But Urtaza was off at the crack of the bat and his right foot hit the bag, just ahead of Carlson's throw. SAFE!

Urtaza, with his 90-foot run timed at 20.2 seconds had gathered up just enough speed to help Team White win the game. A smiling Urtaza quickly turned in today's instant hero.

A typical moment in time in a TOTS' game. Sometimes it's not the big hit or the diving catch that decides the game, but a little extra effort on the base paths.

Way to go, Miguel!

Photo: the fleet-footed Miguel Urtaza