Daliege warms up for the MSBL World Series

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Bob Daliege, 71, will be heading for Phoenix on Saturday to play in the 2019 MSBL World Series for the 70-and-over San Antonio Texans.

Daliege is scheduled to pitch in the third game of the five-game round robin against Australia. It could be a key game for the Texans. Chances are it'll take three wins to move on to the playoffs and the Texans would just as soon win their opener on Sunday against Seattle, pick up a win against Kansas City next Monday and the Aussies on Tuesday.

But one day at a time. It's a long road to the championship game and a World Series ring. Daliege and  four of his TOTS' teammates -- Pigpen Price, Pete Peters, Bill Mishler and Lloyd Barzell -- know full well what it takes to win it all. Two years ago, the Texans made it all the way to the championship game only to lose and finish runner-up. Last year, the Texans rolled into the playoffs, but lost their first-round playoff game to an Indiana team and were forced to pack their bags and head home.

Daliege warmed up for the MSBL World Series today at Udall Park. He was the starting pitcher for Team Blue and he had an easy outing, going seven strong innings in a 15-6 win over Team White. Daliege allowed just five hits through the first six innings as Team White plated just two runs.

Tim Tolson, John Mathews and Ron Carlson supplied most of the damage offensively for Team Blue. Each member of the trio went 3 for 4 and combined for seven RBI.  Doc Thompson and Pigpen Price combined for four hits in six plate appearances to lead the Team White hitters.

The TOTS will close the week with games on Wednesday and Friday at Udall. Game time for both games slated for 9 a.m.

After that, it's off to the 32nd MSBL World Series for Daliege, Price, Peters, Barzell and Mishler. Another member of the TOTS, catcher Dan Boxberger, who caught for Team White today, will play for Seattle at the MSBL World Series and will face off against his TOTS' teammates on Sunday.

Photo: Daliege, who threw seven innings and picked up the win today at Udall.