6-run 7th lifts Team Blue to 11-7 win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Team Blue scored six runs in the top of the seventh inning today at Udall Park for a come-from- behind 11-7 win over Team White in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

Key doubles by Dan Lundwall, Bob Daliege, Joe Opocensky and Ron Petersen were the key hits in the seventh inning. Daliege had a perfect 4 for 4 day at the plate. Petersen went the distance to pick up the pitching victory.

Pigpen Price had a rare 4 for 4 day to lead Team Blue. Lloyd Barzell pitched all seven innings for Team Blue and was saddled with the loss.

The TOTS will be back in action on Monday. Game time: 9 a.m.

Arizona wins one at Utah

Arizona Wildcats Baseball


Arizona salvaged one win at Utah with a 18-12 win today over the Utes.

The Wildcats are finding wins hard to come by, but today they get two homers and five RBI from Alfonso Rivas to win one of three in Salt Lake. Arizona is 24-17 on the season and own a 7-11 record in the Pac-12 Conference.

Diamondbacks return home to Chase with some good news...bad news

Arizona Diamondbacks


The Arizona Diamondbacks (19-8), with the best record in the National League, return home to Chase Field tonight with some good news and some bad news.

The Diamondbacks take 2 of 3 from Washington but lose 3-1 today and head home after completing  their record-setting ninth series win to start the season. They lose Robbie Ray, who left today's game with an arm injury.

Arizona opens up a seven-game homestand, which begins tomorrow night at Chase Field against the LA Dodgers. The Diamondbacks will tangle with the Dodgers for four games and then entertain Houston in a three-game series.

Dawson leads Team Blue to 5-1 win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Mike Dawson used to play baseball for Santa Rita High School many moons ago. Currently he is a 63-year-old rookie with the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers.

And today at Udall Park, Dawson did just about everything he could to help his team to a 5-1 win.

Dawson tossed a shutout until the fifth inning when a walk and and an error led to Team White's only run. At the plate, Dawson batted lead off and went 4 for 4, including an inside-the-park home run in his second at bat -- a shot just inside the bag at third. The ball rolled all the way to the left field corner and by the time left fielder Rob Morse picked up the ball Dawson had rounded third and had scored easily.

It was his first homer with the TOTS. Jokingly, his teammates added that he will need 16 more homers to catch the TOTS' current home run leader Reed Palmer.

Team White just couldn't get anything going today. Tim Tolson managed two hits, but most of the Team White batters hit weak ground balls to the infield. Bob Daliege pitched well for Team White but was saddled with the loss.

The TOTS will close out the month of April with a game at Udall Park on Monday. Game time: 9 a.m.

Tucson Old Timers celebrate 50 years

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

The 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers celebrated its 50th year today with a luncheon at Vivace Restaurant. More than 80 members, spouses and fans showed up to pay tribute to an amateur baseball club, which has been around since 1968.

Club member John Mathews introduced today's guest speaker Ed Vosberg, the former major leaguer who is one of three players to play in the Little League World Series, the College World Series and the MLB World Series.

Tim Tolson was presented with the TOT of the Year trophy and Mal Zwolinski shared the Joe Tappero Sportsmanship Award with Pete Maldonado. The Century Award went to Eddie Eckert.

Hats off to the TOTS co-managers Pete Peters and Jesse Ochoa for running the event.

The TOTS will be back in action on Friday at Udall Park. Game time 9 a.m.

Photos: (1) Manager Pete Peters, ( 2) speaker Ed Vosberg, (3) Tim Tolson, (4) Mal Zwolinski, (5 thru 8) the club members, spouses and friends enjoying the fare at Vivace Restaurant.

Palmer's walk-off homer in 7th gives Team White 9-7 win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Reed Palmer hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to give Team White a 9-7 win over Team Blue in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers baseball game today at Udall Park. It was Palmer's 17th home run of the year as he closes in on his club record of 21 homers hit in 2017.

It took Palmer 12 months in 2017 to hit his 21 round-trippers. Mind boggling. The TOTS still have two more games left in the month of April and Palmer is in line to hit 51 homers by the end of the current season, which comes to a close at the end of December.

Today's crazy finish including a pitching victory for Team White rookie Brad Vermeer, who relieved lefty John Mathews in the top of the seventh inning. Vermeer, in his first ever trip to the mound for the TOTS, surrendered four runs as Team Blue pulled even at 7-7. In the bottom of the seventh, Team Blue's Pete Maldonado got the first two outs easy enough, but then Pete Peters followed with a single and came around to score on Palmer's blast over the center field fence.

The familiar home run trot by Palmer ensued and Team White picked up the victory.

Thus a pitching victory for Vermeer, who commented before he unleashed his first fastball today. "This is my first try at pitching and it may turn out to be my last."

Sometimes things just work out. Vermeer now has a career won-lost record of 1-0 with the TOTS.

The TOTS return to action on Friday at Udall. Game time: 9 a.m.

Photo: Brad Vermeer, who picked up the pitching victory today in relief of Team White's starter John Mathews.

Thunder Tim ignites Team White to 10-7 win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Thunder Tim Tolson went 3 for 4 and knocked in four runs to lead Team White to a 10-7 win over Team Blue at Udall Park today in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

Despite Tolson's hitting, Team Blue's Reed "The Babe" Palmer single-handedly kept his team in the game with a 2 for 3 day -- including a two-run single and a three-run home run -- his 16th round-tripper of the season. Palmer, with three games left in the month of April, is on pace for 48 home runs, which would shatter his club record of 21 homers, set in 2017.

Palmer and Tolson, along with the rest of the TOTS, will be back in action on Wednesday at Udall and will close out April with games on Friday and Monday. Game times for all three is at 9 a.m.

Photo: The TOTS power hitters: Tim Tolson (top) and Reed Palmer (bottom).

Arizona no match for the Cardinal

Arizona Wildcats Baseball


Arizona lost all three games at Hi Corbett Field this week to the Stanford Cardinal.

The Wildcats lose 8-2 on Friday, 8-7 on Saturday and 7-2 today and have lost four of their last five conference games to fall to 6-9 in the Pac-12 and 23-15 overall.

Diamondbacks break franchise record with 7th series win

Arizona Diamondbacks


The Arizona Diamondbacks improve to 15-6 and earn their seventh series win to start the season -- a franchise record. The first National League team since the 2003 Giants to do so.

Today at Chase Field, it was Patrick Corbin (4-0) on the mound for the Diamondbacks and he was up to the task, allowing just two hits and two runs in six innings of work in a 4-2 win over the San Diego Padres. Nick Ahmed knocked in two runs and Corbin knocked in a run. The fourth run was unearned.

The Diamondbacks will head out on a six-game road trip and will take on Philadelphia in a three-game series, starting on Tuesday, before heading to Washington and a three-game series with the Nationals.

Way to go, Diamondbacks!

Tucson Aces on a roll

Tucson Aces

60-and-over baseball


The Tucson Aces are on a roll.

The Aces, comprised of the top players from the Tucson Old Timers, notched back-to-back wins the past two Thursdays over the 60-and-over south side teams -- the Arizona Rattlers and the Old Pueblo Club.

On April 12, the Aces beat the Arizona Rattlers 7-4  at Mission Manor Park and on Thursday, April 19, the Aces edged the Old Pueblo Club, 15-11, at Udall Park. Lefty Ron Petersen picked up the win against the Rattlers and right-hander Pete Maldonado picked up the win over the Old Pueblo Club. Reliever Reed Palmer earned two saves.

The players on the Aces include pitchers Petersen, Maldonado, Palmer, Dennis Crowley, Doc Thompson and Bob Daliege, along with infielders Lloyd Barzell, Pigpen Price, Jesse Ochoa, Dave Byars and Mike Dawson. The catcher for the Aces is Pete Peters and the outfield consists of John Mathews, Tim Tolson, Arnie White and Mike Steele. Palmer, Petersen, Daliege and Crowley also play the outfield. Both Crowley, Petersen and Daliege can also handle catching duties. Steele, Thompson, Daliege and Tolson also play infield positions.

Price, Petersen, Thompson, Byars and White are 70 and over, while the remainder of the Aces' roster  are 60-somethings.

A combination of winners. Over the years, the Aces from Udall Park have taken it on the chin to the boys from south Tucson. Not anymore. The Aces are now the team to beat.

Way to go, Aces!

Palmer does it again...and again

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Reed Palmer homered twice and hard-hitting Dave Byars went 4 for 4 to lead Team Blue to a 16-4 trashing today over Team White at Udall Park in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game. Jesse Ochoa led Team White with two doubles in three trips to the plate.

Palmer's round-trippers were his 14th and 15th of the season. He's currently on pace for 45 home runs for the year.

Lefty Dennis Crowley picked up the win and Lloyd Barzell pitched the seventh inning, while Bob Daliege took the loss and reliever Danny Lundwall pitched the final two innings for Team White.

The TOTS return to action on Monday. Game time: 9 a.m.

Boyd bullies Team Blue

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Tim Boyd is a tall drink of water, much like the twin towers on the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers -- Reed Palmer and John Mathews. All three are tall and young and when they take the mound, they're hard to hit.

Today it was Boyd's turn to toe the rubber. Boyd had very little trouble with the opposing team, although Team Blue did score three runs, as Boyd and Team White rolled to a 7-3 win. Team Blue managed just one run through six innings, before picking up two more runs in their final at bats.

Boyd used his fastball and a roundhouse curve ball to get the job done. "You never know what I'm going to do when I'm out there," said Boyd, after the game.

Today, he bullied the Team Blue batters and picked up the win. Mike Dawson pitched a complete game for Team Blue and was saddled with the loss.

The TOTS will be back in action on Friday at Udall. Game time: 9 a.m.

Photo: Boyd, today's winning pitcher.

Palmer homers twice

Tucson Old Timers TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Reed Palmer hit two home runs -- his 12th and 13th of the season and Pigpen Price had a rare 3 for 3 day to lead Team Blue to a 7-2 win over Team White at Udall Park today in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

Palmer is used to hitting home runs and he's had to battle against heavy winds the prior two games, which has cut down on his home run trots around the bases. Today the winds subsided and the long, high and deep homers returned.

As for Price, it's been a while since he's had three hits in a game. "I bet it's been a year and half," Price said. "It's nice to put together some dingers for a change."

Pistol Pete Peters went 2 for 3 for Team White. Lloyd Barzell picked up the pitching victory and lefty Ron Petersen was saddled with the loss.

The TOTS return to action on Wednesday at Udall. Game time: 9 a.m.

Daliege leads Team White to TOTS' win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Right-hander Bob Daliege collected two of Team White's five hits and was the winning pitcher in today's 6-5 win over Team Blue in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game at Udall Park.

It was another windy day and hits were hard to come by. Team Blue's Dan Lundwall had a perfect day at the plate with three hits in three trips to the plate, while teammate Dave Byars added two hits --including a double. Right-hander Arnie White pitched for Team Blue and was saddled with the loss.

The TOTS return to action on Monday at Udall. Game time: 9 a.m.

Photos: (top) Bob Daliege, ((bottom) Dan Lundwall

60-and-over Aces edge Rattlers, 7-4

The Tucson Aces

60-and-over-baseball

The Aces traveled crosstown to take on the Arizona Rattlers this morning at Mission Manor Park. Lefty Ron Petersen hurled four shutout innings before giving way to reliever Reed Palmer with one out in the fifth inning. The Aces held off the Rattlers the rest of the way and came away with a hard-earned 7-4 win.

Petersen was sharp in the early innings despite the swirling wind, but in the bottom of the fifth the Rattlers plated three runs to pull within two at 5-3. The Rattlers would score only one run the rest of the way, while the Aces added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh to secure the win.

"It was time for me to come out of the game," said Petersen, who had little trouble with the Rattlers early on. "Sometimes you just know when it's time to hand the ball over."

Key hits in the game for the Aces included a triple by Bob Daliege, a double by Palmer and two timely singles from Lloyd Barzell. Arnie White, Tim Tolson, Pete Peters, Mike Dawson, Dennis Crowley, Dave Byars, John Mathews and Petersen also registered hits in the game.

The Aces will host the Rattlers next Thursday at Udall Park. Game time: 9 a.m.

Way to go, Aces!

Photo: Ron Petersen, who hurled four shutout innings today in the Aces 7-4 win over the Rattlers.

Diamondbacks take 2 of 3 from Giants

Arizona Diamondbacks


The Arizona Diamondbacks (9-3) won their fourth consecutive series with a 7-3 win over the Giants in San Francisco on Wednesday -- a new franchise record. Paul Goldschmidt homered.

The Diamondbacks take the day off before heading to Los Angeles and a three-game series with the Dodgers on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Way to go, Diamondbacks!

The final strike

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Striking out is nothing to be ashamed of if you happen to be a member of the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers. Sooner or later, it's going to happen.

It happened to Phil Gordon today at Udall Park in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Gordon and Team White were down 4-3 when the inning started. Team Blue's pitcher Joe Opocensky needed just three outs to pick up a win. Opocensky got the first two outs easy enough, but a double by John Mathews and back-to-back walks to Pigpen Price and Pistol Pete Peters loaded the bases.

Enter Mr. Gordon. The tying run at third and the winning run at second.

Gordon worked the count full. Opocensky needed a strike and Gordon, a pull hitter, needed to lace a single to left field. Opocensky released the final pitch of the game -- a slow tantalizing change-up.

The 64-year-old Gordon was caught looking and Opocensky and Team Blue held on for the win.

"I should have swung," Gordon said, after the game.

The good thing about the TOTS is there's always another game -- another chance to swing. Gordon will be back at the ball park on Friday. Chances are, he'll be swinging away.

Photo: The likeable Phil Gordon. Always smiling even when he strikes out.

Hard-hitting Wildcats head for USC

Arizona Wildcats Baseball


The sizzling Arizona Wildcats, fresh off a 16-1 non-conference win at Grand Canyon University last Tuesday, head for for southern California this weekend for a three-game Pac-12 series with USC.

The series gets underway on Friday and the Wildcats (20-11, 4-5 in the Pac-12)) hope the bats remain hot. Nick Quintana, who hit two homers on Tuesday, leads the Wildcats in home runs with seven.

Palmer hits another one

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Reed Palmer keeps on rolling.

Palmer, who set a TOTS record for homers in 2017 with 21, is well on his way to breaking his own record in 2018. My goodness, it is the middle of April and Palmer hit his 11th of the season today -- a grand slam over the right field fence to lead his team, Team Blue, to a lopsided 23-12 win at Udall Park over Team White.

The hard-hitting lefty is on pace for 33 homers in 2018. It's a long season (the TOTS season is from January through December, a long 12 months), but Palmer is half way there already.

Way to go, Reed!

Photo: The unstoppable Reed Palmer.

Dawson, Ryan added to TOTS roster

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Mike Dawson, 62, a local boy, born in Tucson, is the newest member of the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers. Mike, who turns 63 on tax day, April 15, 2018, received his hat today and played shortstop, third base and even pitched three innings.

Dawson a right-hander, plays infield and outfield, is blessed with a strong arm and hits the ball with authority. He's a welcome addition to the TOTS and especially to the club's pitching staff.

Last week, the TOTS added 60-year-old Ron Ryan to the club. Ryan lives in Tucson, but was born in Los Angeles, California. Ryan is the youngest player in the organization -- an amateur baseball club in its 50th season. Ryan plays infield, outfield, pitches and catches. Last week he put on the catching gear for the first time. He also loves to pitch.

Welcome aboard, Mike and Ron!

Rivas' walk-off single gives Arizona 6-5 win

Arizona Wildcats Baseball

Alfonso Rivas singled with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Arizona a walk-off 6-5 win at Hi Corbett Field today as then Wildcats capture the three-game series over the 4th-ranked Oregon State Beavers to improve to 4-5 in the Pac-12 and 19-11 overall.

The Wildcats lost the series' opener 6-2 to the Beavers on Friday, but pounded Oregon State 15-4 on Saturday, setting up the rubber match for all the marbles today.

Way to go, Wildcats!

Diamondbacks off to a record-breaking start

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks are off to their best start in franchise history.

The Diamondback won 4-1 in St. Louis today to capture the three-game series 2-1 and log their third series' win of the season -- a club record. Arizona received home runs in the eighth inning today from David Peralta and A.J. Pollock to turn back the Cardinals and now head for San Francisco and a three-game series with the Giants.

Way to go, Diamondbacks!

Palmer belts 10th home run of the season

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

The big lefty does it again.

Reed Palmer blasted his 10th home run of the season, singled, doubled and drove in six runs to lead Team White to a 10-7 win over Team Blue today at Udall Park in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

Palmer, who hit a walk-off homer on Wednesday, started early today with a 3-run blast in the first inning. He also pitched a complete game to pick up the win, while Team Blue's Bob Daliege was saddled with the loss.

Brad Vermeer went 2 for 3, scored once and drove in a run for Team Blue.

The TOTS return to action at Udall on Monday. Game time: 9 a.m.

4th-ranked Beavers in town this weekend

Arizona Wildcats Baseball



The Arizona Wildcats (17-10, 2-4) will entertain the 4th-ranked Oregon State Beavers in a three-game Pac-12 series on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Wildcats, after an easy 16-6 non-conference win last Tuesday at New Mexico, are 14-1 at Hi Corbett Field.

Barzell, Petersen top the charts in March

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Four players on the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers swung a hot bat during the month of March at Udall Park.

Ron Petersen finished with the best batting average at .641 as he banged out 25 hits in 39 trips to the plate, while Lloyd Barzell topped the charts in hits with 28 and finished with a .609 batting average. Tim Tolson went 24 for 41, a .585 average and Doc Thompson collected 23 hits in 40 official at bats, a .575 average.

Once again it was Reed Palmer topping the charts in home runs with four and RBI with 23.

Pete Maldonado and Barzell were the top pitchers for the month, both with three wins apiece.

Photos: The big hitters in March -- Ron Petersen, Lloyd Barzell, Tim Tolson and Doc Thompson.

Walk-off win at Udall

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Reed Palmer blasted a walk-off two-run homer to right field to lead Team White to a 8-7 win over Team Blue at Udall Park today in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

The homer was Palmer's ninth of the season.

Team White trailed for the most of the game, but headed into the bottom of the seventh inning down only one run, 7-6. Lloyd Barzell started the seventh off with a double and Palmer stepped in and cranked his homer into the trees, well beyond the 300-ft sign in right field.

Lefty Ron Petersen went the distance for Team Blue, but was saddled with the loss, while right-hander Pete Maldonado pitched all seven innings for Team White and picked up the win.

John Mathews led Team Blue with a 3 for 4 day, while knocking in three runs. Teammate Pigpen Price played second base for Team Blue, his first action since early January. Price is back after three operations -- one on his left eye, one on his right eye and a hand operation on his glove hand.

"I think I can see the ball better after having cataract surgery on both eyes, but the jury's still out," Price said. "As for my left hand, it's been 71 days since the surgery. Price made it through his first game back and went 2 for 3. "I didn't get a lot of balls hit to me today and will have to wait until Friday and see what happens in the next game."

It was also a good day for 60-year-old Ron Ryan, the newest member of the TOTS. Ryan caught the entire game for Team Blue today and showed off his cannon with pinpoint throws to second base between innings.

Ryan has been chomping at the bit to join the TOTS. He had to wait until he turned 60 in January, but now it's official as Ryan received his TOTS' hat and becomes the newest -- and youngest member of the organization.

"I'm glad to finally be a member of the TOTS," Ryan said. "I've been working out at home, even practicing at home in my garage and in the backyard."

The TOTS return to action on Friday at Udall. Game time: 10 a.m.

On Monday the TOTS will change to summer hours. The heat is coming. Game time starting on Monday, April 9th, is at 9 a.m.

Photos: (top photo) Reed Palmer, who hit his club-leading ninth homer today. (middle photo) Ron Ryan, received his hat today and is officially a TOT. He caught seven innings today. (bottom photo) Pigpen Price returned to action today after a three-month layoff and three operation.

Wildcats take 3 from Nicholls State

Arizona Wildcats Basketball


The Arizona Wildcats improved to 16-10 and 14-1 at home with a sweep of Nicholls State. The Wildcats won 11-3 on Thursday, 11-5 on Friday and capped the three-game series off with a 9-3 win on Saturday at Hi Corbett Field.

Cameron Cannon and Alfonso Rivas lead the Wildcats with 35 hits apiece.

Arizona will play a single game at New Mexico tomorrow and return home on Friday for a three-game Pac-12 series with Oregon State.