Scorpions fall to 1-2 at MSBL World Series

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series

73-and-over division

Arizona Scorpions

Game 3

The Arizona Scorpions, with the score 7-4, tried their best to hang with the San Antonio Broncos today at Red Mountain Park in Mesa in the 73-and-over MSBL World Series.

But it wasn't to be as the Broncos, up three runs in the fourth inning, increased their lead when third baseman Pigpen Price was forced to take over for the injured Scorpions' catcher in the fifth inning.

"I've never caught before," Price said. "I had trouble adjusting to all the gear, but I managed to throw a runner out at first. That was a big surprise. The batter struck out and the ball was at my feet. I threw off the mask, picked up the ball and threw over the right shoulder of the runner. Out by a step."

Price said he was so tired after the inning was over and he came up for one last at bat. "I was so out of it. I hit a shot to third, but could hardly get out of the box and was thrown out at first.

Pigpen ended up 1 for 3 on the day, but his teammate from the Tucson Old Timers, Arnie White, had two more hits today and leads the team with a .647 batting average (7 for 11 and 2 walks). Price is 6 for 13, a .461 average.

As for the final score today: Broncos 14  Scorpions  4

"We have only nine players," Price said. "It is exhausting, but we have picked up a catcher for the last two round-robin games. He's a former teammate of mine from years ago. Tony Contreras will help us as we take on the top two teams -- the San Diego Padres and Cambria, a team from Minneapolis on Thursday and Friday."

At 1-2, the Scorpions still have a shot to make the playoffs even though they are undermanned. A win over the Padres and Cambria could make things very interesting.

One thing is for sure, Contreras will be behind the plate and Price will be back at third. "I had four or five assists at third today and a couple of diving catchers. At catcher, well we won't go there,"Price added.

In the movie "The Rookie" there's a scene when the hero Jimmy Morris (Dennis Quaid) tells his minor league teammate. "You know what we are going to do today. We are going to play baseball."

That's how Pigpen Price feels about the next two games at the MSBL World Series.

"We have 10 or possibly 11 guys tomorrow," Price said. "That's a start."

Photo: Pigpen Price