The reluctant hitter

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

AC Edwards turns 80 this year and he brings a white, long sleeve dress shirt to all the games and prior to game time makes sure another signature or two from his TOTS' teammates are added to the shirt.

By the time his birthday rolls around on September 28th, Edwards hopes to have more than 40 signatures. Until then, Edwards concentrates on his each and every at bat with the TOTS.

Edwards is in his first full year with the 60-and-over baseball team and by his own admission has "a lot of learning to do."

What he worries most about, during his at bats with the TOTS, is the possibility of getting hit, not getting a hit.

Last month, a fastball got away from Dan "Pigpen" Price and Edwards took a direct hit to the body. Edwards has discovered, in his short time with the club, that pitches aren't always strikes and sometimes if you're not alert you just might get clunked.

"I remember that (Price's wild throw)," Edwards says. "The guy throws hard."

So today, Edwards, playing for Team White, was standing in the on-deck circle and waiting for (you guessed it) Team Blue's Pigpen Price to unleash his next pitch. The batter, Bob Royer, had worked the count full and Price's next offering clipped Royer on his left elbow. Royer shook it off and headed for first base.

Edwards smiled, took a look at Price and said, "Now you take it easy on me." The reluctant hitter stepped into the batter's box and took a blazing fastball right down the middle for strike one. Edwards stepped out of the box, made his way back in and proceeded to hit the next pitch to left field for a clean single.

The reluctant hitter stopped at first base and smiled. "I deserved that!" Edwards said.

Edwards, and his team, beat Price and Team Blue today 10-5. Right-hander Bob Daliege went the distance for Team White and picked up the win...and he also hit one batter.

It happens.

But like all rookies with the TOTS, it doesn't take them long to learn "to stay alive"  in the batter's box.

Of course, there's a big difference between the TOTS and the players in professional baseball. No one throws 100 mph hour in a TOTS' game at Udall Park. Maybe half of that -- if the 60 or 70-year-old pitcher that day just happens to have had an extra bowl of Wheaties before coming to the ball park.

Still, it HURTS! AC can attest to that.

Photo: Edwards, awaiting his next at bat...with his armor on.