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.