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.