Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)
60-and-over baseball
It's just a matter of time when the hits will start to fall for 70-year-old David Byars.
That's pretty much what all of his teammates on the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers think.
Well, the time has come.
Byars, a member of the TOTS since 2017, went 3 for 4 today and finished three games this week with eight hits in 11 at bats. His batting average has shot up over the .500 mark for the month and this is a guy who, by his own admission, has said he's gone through a span of time where the balls he's hit have consistently found their way into an opponent's glove time after time...after time.
The Tucson native, who turns 71 next month, has played baseball and golf most of his life. He's been good at both. As a member of the Tucson High Badgers baseball team back in the mid-60s, Byars made honorable mention all-city. Tucson High of course has always had a knack for coming up with some of the best baseball players in the state. Eddie Leon and Ron Hassey, just to name two. The list is endless.
Well, he certainly deserves more than an honorable mention with the TOTS, an organization in the midst of its 50th season. Byars doesn't just hit the ball, he crushes it.
No home runs yet. The outfield fence at Udall Park is 300 feet. If Byars ever gets the ball airborne, the homers will come. Right now he's hitting liners, shots, if you will, to left field. A pull hitter for sure who can make a third baseman shake in his baseball shoes.
Today, Byars helped Team Blue to a 10-6 win at Udall. Lefty Dennis Crowley picked up the win, while Mike Dawson was saddled with the loss. Doc Thompson led Team White in hits today with three. The play of the day came from 60-year-old left fielder Ron Ryan, who made a diving stab in the top of the seventh inning for Team White.
The TOTS return to action on Monday at Udall. Game time: 10 a.m.
No comments:
Post a Comment