One man's journey with the TOTS

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

We lost our switch hitter on April 20, 2019.

Carl Brutovsky became a TOT back in 1999. A spunky 62-year-old  from Johnson City, New York, who could beat out a hit with the best of them. Carl was on the ball field with the 60-and-over baseball club until 2015 before moving a few miles north to Maricopa, Arizona with his wife, Mary.

Mary and Carl were married for 53 years and for many, many years Mary would send him off to play baseball with the "boys at Udall" and play he did. The fastest 70-plus year old on the TOTS.

During his stint with the TOTS, heart problems caused him to do a little fine-tuning to keep himself on the ball field. In his 11th year with the TOTS, Carl was saddled with a pacemaker just below his left shoulder. He was forced to pull a switch and become a left-handed hitter in order to protect the added instrument in his body.

Back in 2011, Brutovsky said. "I also wear a chest protector just in case."

No problem. He could still beat out a slow roller and from his new left-handed spot at home plate, he was closer to first base.

And there were many times Carl would come to play dressed in a bright orange jersey.

The late Conrad Royksund, a former player with the TOTS and the club's photographer back in 2014 wrote at the time:  "People tend to loose their place in sentences, reverse the logic of their own arguments, and forget to close their mouths, just looking at Carl."

Royksund went on to add: "All Carl has to do is smash a dribbler down toward third, and the fielders, even if they pick up the ball, tend to forget what they are supposed to do with it, in their fascination for what a runaway pumpkin looks like."

Rest in Peace, Carl.

Photo: A photo of Carl (on the left ) in the dugout four years ago conversing with teammate Floyd Lance.

A special note: A Memorial Service is being planned at the Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Marana, AZ. Details to come.

A shocking discovery at the doctor's office

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

from the desk of Pigpen Price...



After suffering since last November with a neck injury and unable to make a throw from third to first, I began to assume the worst. No more baseball for a while. Heck with that...play on.

I decide in late March to finally see somebody. By this time, there's a lot of crackling going on and I'm to the point where I have trouble checking for traffic when I come to a light. The X-rays show just what you would expect: a few dark images of an old man with a neck that has all the makings of a crossword puzzle. The primary care doctor advises weeks of therapy.

By this time, I've switched from third base to a completely new position -- FIRST BASE!. This, of course, is where Goldy plays, my favorite player on the Arizona Diamondbacks. Oops! Let's fast forward a bit. Paul Goldschmidt is now in St. Louis with the Cardinals. That alone makes my neck hurt.

It turns out my physical therapist is just a year younger than me -- a 72-year-old die-hard tennis player. He says he will die on a tennis court. Great. I've come to the right place. So, I tell him that I want to be remembered as the oldest baseball player that ever lived.

What I didn't go into was the fact that one of my teammates -- Floyd Lance -- is an active player on the Tucson Old Timers' roster at the age of 93, soon to be 94 in September. I didn't tell the therapist that I needed to rethink that very important goal that I have kept for most of my life.

By mid-April, my neck is still crackling. Time to forget the therapy and sign up for the MRI. The result: more images of an old man with a bad neck. It's off to see the wizard -- a neurosurgeon for a second opinion. By the way, my regular doctor had called and advised, "there's a lot going on in there. It's a mess."

Today, I got the final answer. I'm an old man with an old neck.

The neurosurgeon explained it all. He went over the MRI piece by piece. No surgery needed. That was a shocker. Instead, I'm awaiting an apparatus which I attach to the bedroom door, fill a flask full of water, attach a pulley or two to my neck and begin -- 15 minutes, twice a day for the rest of my life. Well, maybe I'm getting carried away a bit. Still, that's the bottom line: loosen up the arthritis, the bone spurs, the beer cans...whatever is in there!

In other words, let's play ball!

A double whammy for Team White at Udall Park

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Reed Palmer hit his fifth home run of the season in the sixth inning and Phil Gordon knocked in the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning as Team White prevailed 4-3 today at Udall Park in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

Team White's Bob Daliege went the distance and picked up the pitching victory, while Joe Opocensky was saddled with the loss. Jesse Ochoa and Daliege collected two hits in the win, while Tim Tolson, who batted over .800 for the month of April, went 3 for 3 today in a losing cause.

Last Friday, there were no home runs hit, but once again it turned into a pitching duel between Mike Dawson and John Mathews. Once again, it was Team White holding on for a 6-4 victory. Dawson got the win and Mathews the loss. Singles only in this one with Dawson, Mathews and Danny Boxberger  leading the way for their respective teams with two hits apiece.

Another month in the books for the Tucson Old Timers. The TOTS return to Udall on May 1 for another battle. Game time: 9 a.m.

Photos: 1) The TOTS emblem... 2) Reed Palmer... 3) Phil Gordon

Stanford takes 2 of 3 from Wildcats

Arizona Wildcats Baseball


The losses continue to mount for Arizona as the Wildcats drop two of the three games at Stanford over the weekend. Arizona wins the opener 6-3 last Friday, but fall 13-3 on Saturday and 13-5 today in Palo Alto.

Arizona falls to 19-22 overall and 7-14 in Pac-12 Conference play.

One player who continues to play well for the Wildcats is Matthew Dyer, who extended his hitting streak to 18 games on Sunday -- the fifth longest hitting streak by a Wildcat since 1998. Dyer has batted .481 during the streak.

For the season, Dyer is batting .399 and has played in 40 of the 41 games. The catcher/first baseman, has collected 63 hits in 158 trips to the plate.

Nick Quintana continues to be the power hitter for the Wildcats with a team-leading 10 home runs and 46 RBI. Quinn Flanagan and Randy Labaut sit atop the pitching staff with both Wildcats owning 4-3 records for the season.

How to keep an old baseball player on the field

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Follow along with me as I allow a nano-robot to cruise through my body -- searching for answers as to why, at the age of 102,  I can't ever play baseball again.

OK. So, I'm getting too far into the future. Let's return to real-time—2019—, and I have just returned from a 25-minute journey into a "black hole"—better known as an MRI, the well-known three letters standing for magnetic resonance imaging.

Thirty million people take the short journey every year -- all searching for answers to a medical problem or, in my case, looking for results as to why this 73-year-old third baseman can't throw a baseball across the diamond.

The nano-robot is coming, and when that time comes, chances are my teammates on the Tucson Old Timers will already have me hidden out in right field with an asterisk by my name on the lineup card, signifying this player needs a bathroom break every now and then.

As for now, I'm dealing with a neck injury and the next step comes Monday when I see a neurosurgeon to go over the "findings" of my journey through the black hole.

I already have a copy of the MRI. Is that really me? It looks like somebody is playing checkers in my body and has no idea how to play the game. The scary images are dark, but to be honest with you, the inner body is mind-boggling. The whole thing is way above my pay grade. Wait a minute! I do not have a pay grade. I've been on Social Security for almost 12 years.

To be honest with you, the report on my neck injury isn't pretty. I could be facing...well, life away from the baseball field. In jeopardy: my 12-year run at the MSBL World Series, a prestigious event that comes around every October for more than 3,000 amateur baseball players from all over the country who are as crazy about baseball as I am.

Closer to home, I already miss being with the "guys" on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Udall Park. On those days, every week, year in and year out, the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers play the game of baseball.

It's simply the best gig in town for an old-timer who loves to play America's favorite pastime.

My closest friends and family members say it is time to hang up my baseball shoes for good. After all, my injury list is as long as a weekly grocery list -- hand surgery, foot surgery, eye surgery, and a heart attack -- not to mention the menacing hamstring tears, bone spur problems, you name it...I have experienced it.

But to be honest with you, so have many members and teammates on the Tucson Old Timers.

The battle continues...

from the desk of Pigpen Price

Ochoa's single lifts Team White to 12-11 walk-off win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

There were plenty of hitting stars today at Udall Park in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

Team Blue's Mike Dawson hit an inside-the-park homer-- a 3-run shot all the way to the fence in right center and teammate Reed Palmer blasted another long home run -- his fourth of the season, but it wasn't enough to pull out a win as Team White prevailed in walk-off fashion, 12-11.

The winning hit came from Jesse Ochoa, who singled in a run in the bottom of the seventh inning, as Team White came from behind with a three-run rally to take down Team Blue.

Lloyd Barzell, Team White's leadoff batter, collected four hits in four trips to the plate, while teammates Tim Tolson and Joe Opocensky combined for five hits to add to the hitting onslaught.

Opocensky was the starting pitcher for Team White and went the distance to pick up the win, while Dawson, despite legging out his 3-run round-tripper, was saddled with the loss.

As for Palmer, he's now tied for the club lead in home runs over the fence with Tolson.

All the players mentioned above are in their 60s -- the "young studs" on the TOTS.

The big hitters and the rest of the TOTS will return to action on Friday at Udall. Game time: 9 a.m.

Photo: Ochoa, who had the final say today at Udall Park in a walk-off win for Team White.

Early starting time no problem for old timers

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

This time of the year the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) roll out a new starting time for their baseball games at Udall Park.

It's the right thing to do. Instead of a 10 a.m. start(winter hours), the TOTS' games get underway on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m. in order to beat the heat. A seven-inning game can wrap up somewhere between 11 a.m. and noon and then the TOTS can pack up, get in their vehicles and head home for a cool one by the pool.

After all, the TOTS range in age from 60 to 93. So, the old timers are always looking for ways to make playing America's favorite pastime a bit easier on the body.

The players certainly enjoyed the "cooler" start today. The game turned into a pitching duel between Team Blue's Mike Dawson and Team White's Bob Daliege.

Daliege's team had just enough extra base hits to pull out a 4-2 win and the temperature stayed near the 70-degree mark for most of the game.

Team White's Tim Boyd was a perfect 3 for 3 today, while teammates Dennis Crowley and Tim Tolson collected two hits apiece. Dawson went 2 for 2 for Team Blue.

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

Dyer continues to lead Wildcats with .395 average

Arizona Wildcats Baseball


Arizona (18-19, 6-12) return home for a single game on Tuesday at Hi Corbett Field with Grand Canyon. Three straight losses at Oregon State over the weekend leaves the Wildcats under .500 on the season with just six wins in the tough Pac-12 Conference.

The Grand Canyon game gets underway at 6 p.m.

Matthew Dyer continues to lead the Wildcats in hitting with a .396 average (55 for 139). Nick Quintana is the RBI leader with 39.

After the Grand Canyon game, the Wildcats are back on the road at Stanford next weekend for a three-game series with the Cardinal.

Hang in there, Wildcats!

Steele, Peters take home top awards at 2019 TOTS' Luncheon

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Fifty four players, family and friends were on hand this morning at Vivace's Restaurant as the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers celebrated their 51st year by hosting the TOTS' 2019 Awards Ceremony and Luncheon.  Manager Mike Dawson emceed the affair, which included special awards to Mike Steele, who won the Joe Tappero Sportsman Award and to Pete Peters, who was honored as the 2019 TOT of the Year.

Seven Hall of Fame Awards were also handed out to Dennis Crowley, Bob Daliege, Mike Steele, Bob Stofft and Miguel Urtaza (winners not pictured: John Miaiaszek and Ron Carlson).

Reed Palmer, who broke the TOTS' single-season home run record with 29 home runs, was presented with a special autographed ball, honoring the feat.

Dawson was happy with the turnout and was very pleased to have Coach Rich Alday as the guest speaker. Alday, a well-known Tucson sports figure and former baseball coach at Pima College and the University of New Mexico, where he won a total of 1,032 collegiate games.

"We were honored to have Coach Alday," Dawson said. "He gave us a lot of words of wisdom."

Alday, pictured in above photo, ended his speech with a central theme that he has used through out all his years of coaching. He told the gathering to pass on to their grandchildren and great grandchildren. "Stay in school and get an education."

Coach Alday has been through every level of coaching and he let it be known only a very small percentage make it to the big leagues. In other words, education is the key ingredient.

Another TOTS' luncheon is in the books. The TOTS will be back on the field at Udall Park on Friday morning. Game time: 10 a.m.

Photos:  1) Hall of Fame Award winners, from left to right (Dennis Crowley, Bob Daliege, Mike Steele, Bob Stofft and Miguel Urtaza). 2) Mike Steele accepts Joe Tappero Sportsman Award from Mike Dawson. 3) Pete Peters accepts TOT of the Year Award from Dawson. 4) Reed Palmer accepts a special autographed baseball from Dawson. Palmer broke the TOTS' all-time home record last year. Palmer hit 29 home runs in 2018.

Aces' 4-game winning streak snapped

Tucson Aces

60-and-over baseball

It was the classic hit 'em where they ain't at Udall Park this morning.

The Arizona Rattlers did just that. At least enough times to pull out a 9-7 win and snap the Tucson Aces' winning streak at four games.

"We hit the ball well," Aces' manager Mike Dawson said. "They just seemed to run our hits down."

In the meantime the hitters for the Arizona Rattlers were finding the holes.

Dawson, a hard-throwing righthander, was saddled with the loss. "They hit me pretty hard. But we still had a chance in the bottom of the seventh inning."

Unfortunately, it was the same story. With the tying run at first base, Bob Daliege hit a shot to first, but right into the glove of the Rattlers' first baseman.

Big John Mathews was the top hitter for the Aces with three hits. Lloyd Barzell had two hits.

The Aces came up short in this one.

Photo: Big John Mathews with three hits today in a losing cause.

Ducklow, Barzell lead Team Blue to 8-5 TOTS' win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Dick "Double D" Ducklow is just weeks away from returning to Wisconsin for the summer. Ducklow  is considered a winter visitor in Tucson, except for his teammates on the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers who consider him just another old-timer who loves to hit the baseball to left field at Udall Park.

He did it again today.

Ducklow went 3 for 4 scored once and drove in a run to lead Team Blue to a 8-5 win over Team White.

The game was tied at 5-5 in the seventh and final inning. Team Blue's shortstop Lloyd "Baby Bull"  Barzell tripled in a run to open up the seventh and scored later in the frame on a force play as Team Blue went on to tack on three runs. Two of the three runs were unearned but the damage was done and Team White's starter Joe Opocensky headed for the dugout with his team needing three runs to tie and four runs to win.

Unfortunately, Team White failed to score as stopper Bob Daliege came on in relief of starter Tim Boyd. Daliege faced the hard-hitting Reed Palmer to start things off and coaxed him into a towering  pop up to the right side of the infield. Barzell camped under it and made the catch. The next two Team White batters, Rob Morse and Pigpen Price, grounded out to end the game.

Still, another competitive game for the 60-and-over TOTS, who have a history of playing close, down-to-the-wire baseball games. One thing is for sure, there's always tomorrow for the TOTS at Udall Park. Next games are slated for Wednesday and Friday with a start time for both at 10 a.m.

Next Monday ( the 22nd of April), the TOTS begin their summer schedule. Batting practice and warm ups get underway at 8 a.m. and the first pitch is at 9 a.m.

Photo: Ducklow, a winter visitor of sorts, is making sure he gets his hits in with the TOTS before returning to Wisconsin for the summer months.

Wildcats salvage 1 of 3 with Golden Bears

Arizona Wildcats Baseball


Andrew Nardi pitched six scoreless innings and Matthew Dyer hit a solo home run as the Arizona Wildcats salvage 1 of 3 games with the California Golden Bears, winning 4-2 today at Hi Corbett Field.

Arizona improves to 18-16 overall and 6-9 in the Pac-12 Conference.

Tiger's comeback is complete

The Masters


Tiger Woods is back!

Woods wins the 2019 Masters today at Augusta. A 13-under four-day total 275 gets it done. Tiger's first major title since 2008 and his 15th major title...and a fifth Green Jacket at the Masters.

Congrats to Tiger!

What a comeback!

Remembering a trio of out-of-action TOTS

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

There are three Tucson Old Timers out of action with illnesses, which will keep them off the field of play for good. It happens. After all, to be a TOT you have to be 60 years of age if you want to begin a journey as a player on the club, an amateur baseball team currently enjoying its 51st season.

One thing is for sure the active players have a special place in their hearts for their teammates -- the ones who for one reason or another (mostly health issues, of course) -- who no longer take the field of play to run, to throw, to catch...and swing the Louisville Slugger.

The trio includes 82-year-old Carl Brutovsky, 87-year-old Jerry Smarik and 81-year-old Bobby Katz --  three men who are simply the "heart" of the organization and carry the banner signifying what it is like to be a part of the TOTS' organization, which has been around since 1968.

The following are three articles, all prior posts on Bookemdanosports, which shine the spotlight on Brutovsky, Smarik and Katz.

June/2014 article...

When a member of the Tucson Old Timers celebrates a birthday it's usually another milestone -- another chip in the armor, if you will. There are times the old timer celebrates his special day on the baseball field.

So it went for 78-year-old Carl Brutovsky (photo above) at Udall Park this morning.

Brutovsky was born 78 years ago today in Johnson City, New York. A switch hitter, Brutovsky has been a member of the TOTS since 1999 and can still get the bat on the ball. In fact, he's having a pretty good 2014 season with 44 hits in 118 trips to plate -- including two hits to left field today as he led Team White to an 8-7 win over Team Blue. That's a .372 batting average.

Quite a difference from last year. In 2013, Brutovsky played in  only 55 games and maintained a .177 batting average, but this season he's managed to stay off the disabled list and has played in 34 games and the club has yet to reach the halfway mark of the season. Carl took a spill at first base midway through the 2013 season and missed his share of games.

But this year no spills.

April/2017 article...

Just about every member of the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers love their baseball gloves...their favorite mitt -- the one with the soft pocket, the one with a history behind it. Some oil their gloves regularly, some even stick their mitt into the oven for 30 seconds, whatever it takes to soften the leather.

Some of the players keep their mitt for years, others like to keep up with the times and purchase the newest Rawlings or Wilson at the local sporting goods store every year.

And some of the old timers who play for the TOTS hang on to their mitts forever.

Take 85-year-old Jerry Smarik for example.

Jerry is the third oldest TOT. He hails from Detroit, Michigan. He's married to his wife, Sharon. They celebrate 60 years of marriage in May. They've had quite the journey together. They've raised six children -- all grown up and away from home, raising their own children and making their own way through life.

Jerry loves to talk about his family, his days in the Navy, his many years as a U.S. Postman, delivering mail in Tucson for more than 30 years. Some days his memory just isn't there. "It comes and goes," he says.

What he does remember is baseball. He's been with the TOTS for over 25 years. He has over 1,400 hits and over 4,000 at bats and has the record well in hand for playing the most career games. His teammates call him the "iron man" -- a TOT since 1991.

And like most of his teammates, Smarik has his share of baseball equipment and paraphernalia, dating back to the early 1930s.  One of his most cherished pieces of baseball equipment is an old catcher's mitt -- a gift from his father in 1947.

The mitt is still in the family. In fact, Jerry brought it to the ball park today. "All my kids used this mitt," Jerry said, after the game this morning at Udall Park (see above photos of Jerry and his mitt).

Jerry proudly showed off the old leather glove.

He put his left hand in his mitt. It fit perfectly.

Just like Jerry's life has been.

March/2014 article...

The Tucson Old Timers play at Udall Park three times a week and it doesn't take the players long to find out who's the fastest 60-and-over old timer. There are a few players -- closer to the age of 60 -- who can flat out run. The 70-and-over and the 80-and-over players, well let's just say the old legs aren't what they used to be.

On the other end of the spectrum are the "few good men" considered the slowest of the slowest. So this morning after the TOTS' game a race was held to determine the most fleet footed of the slow guys.

The four runners (using the word runners lightly) were 82-year-old Jerry Smarik, 87-year-old Jack Glickman, 76-year-old Bobby Katz and the youngest of the four speedsters (again, using the word lightly),  65-year-old Chuck Sabalos. 

Sabalos, a retired Superior Court Judge for the State of Arizona, recently returned to the TOTS after undergoing extensive foot surgery. He has a couple of screws in his right foot and will never be able to "run" like he once did as a catcher on his Tucson Rincon High School baseball team.

"I just kinda wobble to first base," Sabalos said, after today's race. "It's going to be practically impossible to beat out a ball hit to an infielder. But, I can hit and I can handle things behind the plate. So, I guess I'm back."

Runner #2: Smarik, a retired Navy man and a retired postal inspector (one of those double-dippers) has a couple of nicknames on the TOTS. He's referred to as the "rocket" because he once said he needed one up his butt to get to first base. He's also affectionately called "the turbo turtle."

Runner #3: Katz, nicknamed "Gunner" is a former Marine and he knows full well that he is not blessed with a lot of speed, so he's developed a keen eye at the plate and leads the TOTS every year in walks.

Runner #4 Then there's Mr. Glickman. He's affectionately known as "Jack the Ripper." Every time he steps to the plate, Glickman carries with him the heaviest and longest bat available. Still, he pulls the ball down the third baseline on just about every swing. His problem, like the above players, is getting to first base before being thrown out.

So there you have it. Now, let's get on with the race.

In above photo, Sabalos (on the far left) got off to a good start, as did Glickman (2nd from the left), while Smarik (2nd from the right) stumbled out of the gate. On the far right, Katz took off slowly, but gained momentum as they headed from the third baseline to the finish line, which was predetermined to be the edge of the grass infield between first and second base.

The "Amazin' Race" took about eight seconds, maybe nine. Oh heck, let's make it an even 10 seconds.

The winner: Bobby Katz by a nose.

Smarik finished runner-up, Glickman held on for third with Sabalos finishing fourth.

There were no trophies issued -- just bragging rights for Mr. Katz.

The four speedsters will rest up and be back at it on Wednesday, the next scheduled TOTS' game.

Hats off to all four for a job well done.

Photos: Carl Brutovsky (top), Jerry Smarik (middle) and Bobby Katz (bottom)...and a photo of the "Amazing Race" -- (from left to right) Chuck Sabalos, Jack Glickman, Jerry Smarik and Bobby Katz.  

Rich Alday guest speaker at TOTS' annual luncheon on April 18 at Vivace's

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Rich Alday, inducted into the Pima County Hall of Fame in 1994, will be the guest speaker on April 18 at the Tucson Old Timers' annual luncheon to be held at Vivace's Restaurant.

Alday was an All-City and All-State quarterback on the 1965 Tucson High School State Championship football team. A star baseball player with the Badgers, Alday would go on and receive an All-American honorable mention as a catcher at Emporia State College.

He would go on to coach baseball at Pima College (517-251) for 17 years and was a former head coach for the University of New Mexico Lobos from 1990-2007, collecting 515 wins.

The TOTS, a 60-and-over amateur baseball organization currently in the middle of its 52nd season, hold their awards luncheon every April and former speakers include Ed Vosberg, Jerry Kindall, Jerry Stitt, Greg Hansen, George Arias and Eddie Leon -- just to name a few of Tucson's local sports heroes.

The luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and recognition awards will be handed out -- including the club's 2019 Sportsman of the Year and the TOT of the Year.

Photo: Alday

Nebesny, Lance lead Team Blue to 14-5 TOTS' win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Ken Nebesny went 3 for 4 and drove in three runs, while 93-year-old teammate Floyd Lance laced two hits in three trips to the plate to lead Team Blue to a 14-5 win over Team White today in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game at Udall Park.

It was a great hitting day for Nebesny, who is just two weeks away from his 62nd birthday. As for Lance, a multiple-hit game is a rare occurrence for Lance in this day and age. Lance is the oldest TOT and turns 94 in September.

"I thought I had a third hit my last time up," Lance said with a grin. "I hit the ball in the gap (actually between third and short) and I thought it was a hit." Unfortunately for Lance, the ball was backhanded by shortstop Reed Palmer and the throw to first was right on the money.

Just for the record, Palmer turns 63 in July, which means there is a 30-year gap in ages between the shortstop who made the play and the runner who was thrown out at first base by a step and a half.

You gotta love it. That's what the TOTS are all about.

Photos: (top) Nebesny, (bottom) Lance.

Arizona readies for 3-game series with Cal

Arizona Wildcats Baseball


Arizona (17-14, 5-7) returns to Pac-12 play on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with a three-games series against California.  The Wildcats tuned up on Tuesday for their battle with the Golden Bears with a 14-13 win in Phoenix against Grand Canyon.

Nick Quintana was the big gun against the Antelopes for the Wildcats with a 4 for 5 day -- including a double and a home run.

The first pitch at Hi Corbett on Friday is slated for 6 p.m.

Tolson takes TOTS' home run lead

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Reed Palmer pitched seven strong innings and knocked in two of Team Blue's four runs en route to a 4-3 win over Team White at Udall Park today in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

Down 4-1, Team White's Tim Tolson tried his best to ignite his team in the bottom of the sixth inning when he drilled a Palmer fastball over the centerfield fence for a two-run homer. It was Tolson's fourth round tripper of the season -- the club leader in that department, one more than Palmer and three ahead of Joe Opocensky.

Tolson hit his homer, despite a swirling wind and wind gusts exceeding 17 miles per hour.

Unfortunately for Team White, Palmer was masterful in the bottom of the seventh. Brad Vermeer knocked in the only run in the game for Team White. Opocensky also had two hits for Team Blue, while shortstop Lloyd Barzell hit safely three times.

The TOTS return to Udall on Friday. Game time: 10 a.m. Another windy day is expected.

Wildcats regroup, take 3 from Huskies

Arizona Wildcats Baseball


Matthew Dyer went 9 for 14 in the three-game series against Washington -- including a 4 for 4 day today -- as the Arizona Wildcats sweep the Huskies at Hi Corbett Field to improve to 16-14 overall and 5-7 in Pac-12 play.

Arizona won 9-3 on Friday, 14-2 on Saturday and 7-4 this afternoon and Dyer improved his season batting average to a hefty .396. Dyer, a catcher and a first baseman for the Wildcats, is a sophomore from Glendale, Arizona.

Arizona wins WNIT in front of 14,644 Wildcat fans

Women's 2019 National Invitational Final

The Arizona Wildcats (24-13) ran the table in the 2019 WNIT and won the title today at McKale Center in front of 14,644 roaring fans. The Wildcats led 16-12 early, 30-17 at halftime en route to a 56-42 thumping of Northwestern.

It was a battle of two teams of Wildcats. But on this day, the day belonged to Arizona as Aari  McDonald led the way as usual with 19 points, seven rebounds and six steals and had plenty of help underneath the bucket from teammate Cate Reese, who pumped in 13 hard-earned points and nine rebounds.

Arizona basketball is alive and well at McKale.

Way to go, Arizona Wildcats!

Mathews, Ryan, Palmer combine for 65 hits in March

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

John Mathews, Ron Ryan and Reed Palmer combined for 65 hits in March as the trio finished atop the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers' hitting chart sheet for the month. Mathews had the most hits with 24, Ryan hit safely 21 times and Palmer collected 20 hits.

Mathews had the most at bats out of the trio with 35 and finished with a hefty .686 batting average, while Palmer, who had 10 walks during the month (most of them intentional), officially had just 28 at bats and a blistering .714 batting average for the month. Ryan, on the other hand, was 21 for 34 and a .618 batting average. Mathews topped the chart in RBI with 25. Palmer scored the most runs with 16.

Mike Dawson and Mathews tied for the most pitching victories with two wins apiece. Eight pitchers toed the mound for the TOTS in March.

Team White's Barzell out duels Team Blue's Maldonado

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Another well-pitched game at Udall Park.

This time, Team White's Lloyd Barzell out dueled Team Blue's Pete Maldonado 3-1 today in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers' baseball game.

Not a lot of runs scored in this one.

Team White picked up two runs in the bottom of the first inning, thanks to consecutive singles by Barzell, Pete Peters and Mike Dawson. Team White would eventually add a lone run in the sixth inning for good measure.

As for Barzell, he got out of a couple of bases loaded jams, but he had to battle Maldonado all the way. Maldonado was throwing nothing but strikes for most of the game and recorded two strikeouts of Dawson, one of Team White's top hitters.

"It doesn't happen very often (striking out)," said Dawson, after the game. "I wasn't seeing the ball very well today."

But as it turns out, it was Dawson who had knocked in the second run of the game -- back in the first inning -- and the run turned out to be the game-winning run.

Another happy camper after today's game was Team White's first baseman Pigpen Price, who returned to action today. Price, who has missed a lot of action this year due to a neck injury, played in  all seven innings and came away without any further damage.

"It's great to back out there," Price said. "I've gone through weeks of physical therapy. I've been chomping at the bit to get back on the ball field. Still not swinging the bat very well... but just maybe, I can see a little light at the end of the tunnel."

The TOTS will take the weekend off and return to action at Udall Park on Monday. Game time: 10 a.m.

Photos: Barzell, today's winning pitcher in action, and Pigpen Price, who returned to action today, after a stint on the disabled list.

TOTS' trio in home run battle

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

A trio of 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers are in a race for the 2019 home run title.

Through April 1, Reed Palmer and Tim Tolson are tied with three home runs apiece, while Joe Opocensky joined the group last Monday with his first round-tripper of the year.

The TOTS' home run leaders: Reed Palmer  3,  Tim Tolson  3,  Joe Opocensky  1

Go get 'em, guys!

Photos:  Palmer, Tolson and Opocensky

Aces outslug Old Pueblo Club, 12-8

Tucson Aces

60-and-over baseball

The pitchers on the 60-and-over Old Pueblo Club discovered rather quickly at Udall Park this morning that the Tucson Aces' lineup was a force to be reckoned with.

The Aces built a 7-2 lead early with a five-run third inning and then finished off the visitors from the south side with another five-run inning in the bottom of the eighth. The result: a 12-8 victory and the third win a row for the hard-hitting Aces.

Old Pueblo tried to fight back and actually pulled within a run at 7-6 in the top of the eighth, but up came the "big boys" for the Aces -- Reed Palmer, Tim Boyd, John Mathews, Tim Tolson, Joe Opocensky and David Byars. Before the inning was over the Aces had plated five insurance runs to take a commanding 12-6 lead. Old Pueblo plated two more runs in the top of the ninth, but that was it and the Aces notched another win at their home park.

Opocensky started for the Aces and picked up the win. Mike Dawson came on in the ninth and recorded the save.

Photo: The Aces (two players who played today Bob Daliege and Joe Opocensky not in team photo).  The club notched its third win in a row today.

Team White edges Team Blue 11-10 in April Fools Day tussle...no kidding!

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

It was April Fools' Day at Udall Park today and Team White edged Team Blue 11-10 in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

No kidding!

No fools played in this one, just a bunch of old timers getting the bat on the ball.

Reed Palmer had a triple and a home run for Team White, while teammates Ted Davis, Lloyd Barzell and Tim Tolson supplied some power as well. Davis had two hits and scored three times, Barzell had three hits and scored twice, while Tolson chipped in three hits and collected four RBI.

Team Blue kept pace until the end as Pete Peters finished the game with a 4 for 4 day and crossed the plate four times, while Tim Boyd had two hits --including a booming triple. Joe Opocensky contributed a home run and a triple, while driving in five of Team Blue's 10 runs. Mike Dawson chipped in three hits and knocked in two runs.

Pete Maldonado went the distance and picked up the pitching victory for Team White while Boyd was saddled with the loss.

The old-timers can hit.

No fooling! The TOTS are off and running on the first day of April.

The TOTS will back at Udall Park on Wednesday. Game time: 10 a.m.