The last run

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Somewhere around the fifth inning a run was scored at Udall Park today during a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

It wasn't just any run, but the last run 92-year-old Floyd Lance will ever score for the amateur baseball organization, a "men's club" of sorts, whose members play the game of baseball three days a week and have been doing so since the league was formed in 1968.

Lance, the oldest TOT ever to don a blue and white TOTS'  uniform and take the field of play, hung up his cleats today after 18 seasons. He took his familiar position at first base and played the entire game. He batted lead off in order to get in an extra at bat or two. Floyd's teammates met him at the pitching mound following the game and handed him the game ball -- autographed by all the players.

In his final game, he singled down the left field line in his third at bat and eventually scored all the way from second base. His last run scored was his 976th of his career as a TOT.

As for the game, Team White won 7-5, despite Reed Palmer's eighth home run of the year for Team Blue. All eyes were on the moon shot as everyone turned and watched the homer disappear over the fence and into the tall trees.

Later on, all eyes were on the plate as Lance rounded third and stepped on the plate for the final time.

It wasn't just any run, but the final tally for the oldest player to ever suit up for the Tucson Old Timers.

Photo: The remarkable Floyd Lance