Morse leads Team Blue to TOTS' win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Rob Morse, 72, joined the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers in 2017 and his first year was a learning experience for the Spartan -- a Michigan State graduate back in...well, it was a long time ago.

Chances are the Detroit, Michigan native was lucky enough, back in the 1970s, to see the great Al Kaline play right field for the Tigers. It probably never occurred to Morse to take notes, unaware that someday he'd be roaming right field for the Tucson Old Timers.

In Rob's first season in 2017, he managed just 12 hits in 52 games, but in 2018 and 2019 he gradually improved his hitting and fielding as well. In fact, in his last three games this month, Morse went 4 for 10 for a very respectable .400 batting average.

As a right fielder, Morse has upped his game. For example, today he helped support his starting pitcher Mike Dawson to a 7-2 win over Team White. Morse had two putouts and two assists. Two assists!

Yep, if you play right field for the TOTS, there are chances for putouts and assists, too. Now, it takes a few years to figure out which old-timer (runner) still has enough speed to run 90 feet and beat out a throw from an infielder....and at times from an outfielder as well.

Things have to be in line for a TOTS' right fielder to begin what turns out to be a 9 to 3 out -- an assist for the right fielder and a putout for the first baseman.  Positioning is key and the batter normally needs to rip the ball on a bounce to the right fielder, who in turn, pounces on the ball and throws a strike to the first sacker, just in time to nip the runner.

Obviously, Morse is learning his position.

Way to go, Rob!

Photo: Morse, the TOTS' crafty right fielder.