Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)
60-and-over baseball
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning at Udall Park today, Team Blue's pitcher Bob Daliege and catcher Mike Steele needed to strategize.
Team White had already cut into Team Blue's 6-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth by plating three runs to pull within two runs and now Daliege was just one out away from a win, but back-to-back singles from Pete Peters and Ken Nebesny changed matters considerably. To make the situation even worse, Ron Petersen walked to load the bases.
That brought up the club's home run king, Reed Palmer, and Big John Mathews was waiting on deck. Daliege wasn't about to let Palmer beat him. So, Daliege kept the ball away from the big fella and Palmer, after six pitches trotted to first base, allowing Peters to walk home and bring Team White to within one run.
Still, the bases were loaded as Mathews stepped into the batter's box. Mathews battled and found the pitch he wanted and ripped a shot to third, but Team Blue's Joe Opocensky gloved the ball and stepped on third for the final out.
Steele had a good day behind the plate and at bat as he went 3 for 3. Daliege, who allowed just four hits during the first five innings, escaped with a well-deserved win. Palmer pitched all seven innings for Team White and was saddled with the loss.
The TOTS return to action on Friday and plan for an 8:30 a.m. start, instead of the customary 9 a.m. start. The summer heat is on us and no relief until October.
No worries. The TOTS are glad to be back on the ball field.
Photos: Daliege and Steele.
And Steele's mental and physical error in the bottom of sixth was almost the difference.
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