The TOTS' first sackers

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

The first basemen

Corona Games


The 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers are unable to get through each inning of play without a first baseman. After all, the rest of the infielders are unleashing throws across the diamond at third and short, while the only short throw is at second...and even that toss can miss its mark from time to time.

It is ideal if the throws, either on a fly or one-hopper, find the first baseman's big mitt. So, you need an agile, big fella over there to get the job done. Fortunately, the TOTS have it covered.

Leading the crew at first, is Big John Mathews, a former standout in the early 1970s at Tucson Flowing Wells High School.  Mathews (photos below) is smooth as silk and can turn an errant throw into an easy out. Big John wears jersey #74 and has been a member of the organization since 2016. John is a young 64 and that certainly helps. Besides, John is one of those unique players who fields the ball with his right hand, but bats on the right side of the plate. The big fella is of course a lefty when he helps out on the mound from time to time.

Thunder Tim Tolson is another big fella. Tim wears #3, his father, Brad, used to play for the TOTS, back in the early 90s...retired from play and turned his jersey over to his son in 2012. Tolson played for Tucson Sabino High in the early 1970s. His father played at the University of Arizona and his grandfather, Andy Tolson, was an all-american at the UofA. Brad is a hard-hitting lefty at the plate (see photo below).

Dave Byars is another smooth cookie at first. Dave wears #47 and was a former standout at Tucson High School. Dave joined the TOTS in 2016 and is 72 years old and has battled his share of operations the past two years, but is good to go...and he's come back with a vengeance. He's a force at first and at the plate.

Jeff Helzel, #17, at one time was a star first sacker for the TOTS, but golf keeps calling and after all he's a scratch golfer. When he was playing regularly he was a force to be reckoned with. In fact, Jeff, who turns 80 in July, played first base in the Cincinnati Reds organization, back in the 1960s. He learned the position well. We miss Jeff being out there. He's a big fella and a big target for the infielders to throw to.

Bobby Stofft, 81, is the second oldest of our first basemen, but can still handle the position with ease. Stofft hails from Minneapolis and has been a member of the TOTS since 2012. Bobby wears #73. At the plate he's strictly a power hitter and always has been. He drives the third basemen crazy.

And we can't forget Sir Floyd Lance, the oldest player on the TOTS' roster at 94 years of age, a first baseman for the TOTS since 1999. He can still pick it!

Note: All the pitchers and catchers mentioned in previous post this week, play multiple positions. Over 20 current players have tried their hand at the first sacker position. It's a great experience for a TOT, especially on a sunny day when the sun is in their eyes...and the ball is on its way.