A hot and dusty win for Daliege

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

The 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers try to beat the heat during the summer by starting their games one hour earlier then normal.

Still, the heat usually wins out.

Today at Udall Park, 71-year-old Bob Daliege took the mound for Team Blue, while Team White countered with its young stud, 64-year-old Mike Dawson. Despite the heat, both pitchers went the distance as Daliege and Team Blue edged Dawson and Team White, 8-7.

The game was played in less than two hours, but by the end of the game at 11 o'clock the temperature had risen to a sizzling ninety-five degrees.

Team White had the edge early and jumped out to a 7-3 lead after three innings of play, but the next four innings belonged to Team Blue. John Mathews went 3 for 3 and knocked in two runs to lead Team Blue, while Doc Thompson was the big gun for Team White with two hits and three RBI.

The catch of the day came from Team White's left fielder Ken Nebesny, who made a running catch in the third inning to snuff out a Team Blue rally. The throw of the day came in the fifth inning with two outs when Team Blue's centerfielder Reed Palmer threw out a runner at home. Daliege was helped out by two double plays - both of which were initiated by Mathews at third base, who twice tagged the runner going from second to third and then unleashed throws to nip the runner at first base.

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

It'll be another hot and dusty day, but the TOTS will be there on time and will do their best to beat the heat.

Photo: John Mathews who had three hits today and turned two double plays in 8-7 win for Team Blue.