Tolson hits 3-run homer

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Thunder Tim Tolson found the trees again.

Tolson hit his second home run of the season at Udall Park this morning -- a three-run shot over the right field fence. The blast came in the third inning but it wasn't enough to give Tolson and Team Blue a win as Team White prevailed 10-5 in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

"It's been a while," Tolson said.

Tolson hit one earlier in the year and now has two round-trippers to his credit, but during the last few months the hard-hitting lefty has had to settle for his share of hard-hit singles, a few ground-rule doubles and an occasional triple.

But today's long ball was a no-doubter!

Doc Thompson and Reed Palmer combined for four hits and five RBI to lead Team White to an easy win, while right-hander Bob Daliege pitched a complete game to take home the pitching victory. Mike Dawson went the distance for Team Blue and was saddled with the loss.

Team Blue's Bill Mishler, 70, took a tumble in the fourth inning on a force play at third base and was forced to leave the game. Mishler returned and grounded out in his final at bat, but felt like something was not quite right as he reached the first base bag.  "I might have strained something just below the shoulder blade," says Mishler, who was already nursing a leg injury.

Injuries are a norm with the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers.

Just ask Team White's 73-year-old second baseman Pigpen Price, who took a tumble of his own in the third inning when he misjudged a high fly ball off the bat of Dawson. "I've been nursing a hamstring pull for a month now and my legs just don't do what I ask," Price said. "It's embarrassing at times."

The play at second base drew a few laughs from the Team Blue dugout. "I went down and the ball hit me in the back of the leg," Price added. "It happens when you are 70-and-over and your mind says one thing and your legs have a total different idea."

One thing is for sure, Mishler and Price will be back next week for another try.

It's the TOTS' way.

Photo: Thunder Tim Tolson