Peters goes 4 for 4, drives in 2 runs in 8-5 TOTS' win

 

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Pete Peters, 70, went 4 for 4 and drove in two runs to lead Team Blue to a 8-5 win over Team White today at Udall Park in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game. Team Blue collected 16 hits and Joe Opocensky went the distance to pick up the win, while Doc Thompson, 78, was saddled with the hard-luck loss.

Opocensky helped his own cause with three hits, while four of his teammates -- Ken Nebesny, Tim Tolson, John Mathews and Jesse Ochoa -- chipped in two hits apiece. Team Blue scored a run in the first, another in the second, three runs in the fourth, three more in the fifth and never trailed in the game.

Team White tried to battle back in the late innings helped out by Reed Palmer's eighth home run of the year -- a two-run shot over the right field fence in the fifth. Team White scored twice in the bottom of the sixth and had the tying run at the plate with two outs, but Thompson popped out to Team Blue's first baseman Dave Byars to end the game.

Team Blue collected 12 hits in the game. Palmer also doubled and walked twice, while Mike Steele, Ron Ryan and Pigpen Price added two hits apiece.

The TOTS return to action at Udall on Wednesday. Game time: 8:30 a.m.

Photo: Pete Peters and the hard-swinging Reed Palmer, who belted his 8th homer of the year today at Udall Park.

Palmer edges Opocensky in 2-1 TOTS' game

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Team White's Reed Palmer allowed eight hits, struck out three and walked one en route to a 2-1 win over Joe Opocensky and Team Blue today at Udall Park in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

Opocensky allowed just eight hits, struck out one and walked three in five innings, but Team Blue's lone run came in the first inning when Tim Tolson scored from third on an infield single from Pigpen Price. Palmer, who went 2 for 2 in the game, knocked in both runs for Team White. Tolson and Price went 2 for 3 for Team Blue, while John Mathews, Jesse Ochoa and Palmer went 2 for 3 for the winning team.

The TOTS will close out the week with a game on Friday at Udall. Game time 8:30 a.m.

 

A crazy 6th inning at Udall

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

A little over 500 miles away the temperature in Death Valley is expected to reach 130 degrees, a 100 miles north in Phoenix the temperature is expected to reach 115 and at Udall Park in Tucson, sometime this afternoon, the temperature will reach 110.

So, the 60-and over Tucson Old Timers decided to play a six- inning baseball game instead of seven.

Makes sense. A first pitch at 8:30 this morning, get the game in and then the TOTS will head home, lower the dial on the air conditioner and watch an afternoon MLB game on television (without fans in the stands, of course).

The TOTS will be hard pressed to find a game on the tube that'll muster up to what happened at Udall this morning.

The game started as a pitching duel for five innings. The two Doc's locked horns -- Team Blue's Ernesto "Doc" Escala and Team White's DeLon "Doc" Thompson. Escala gave up two runs in the first inning and a lone run in the third, while Thompson carried a shutout into the fifth. Pigpen Price, who had struck out on a Thompson curve ball in the third, singled over the head of third baseman John Mathews in the top of the fifth for Team Blue's first run to cut Team White's lead from 3-0 to 3-1.

And then along came the sixth!

Thompson needed just three outs to put Team Blue away, but Mike Steele led off with his fifth hit of the game, Bill Mishler singled and Reed Palmer followed with a two-run, ground-rule double, the ball bouncing on one hop over the right field fence. Escala followed with an RBI-single and his third run-batted-in of the game, while Mike Dawson followed with an RBI-single and his third hit of the game. Before the top of the sixth was in the books, Team Blue had batted around and plated eight runs for a 9-3 lead.

Team White came to bat in the bottom of the sixth and Escala needed just three outs for the come-from-behind win. Suddenly, Team Blue couldn't get an out. What followed were three infield errors, a single by Ken Nebesny, a walk to Dennis Crowley, a double by Tim Tolson, a single from John Mathews, a single from Pete Peters and the clincher: a double from Ron Ryan -- allowing the tying run to score followed by the game-winner as Peters, on his way to third, collided with Team Blue's shortstop, Dawson, and was awarded third and home, allowing Team White to escape with a wild 10-9 walk-off win.

The TOTS will have a hard time topping today's game. But, they will certainly try with two more  scheduled games this week on Wednesday and Friday at Udall. The fun begins with a first pitch for both games slated for 8:30 a.m.

Way to go, TOTS!

Today's boxscore:

Photo: Team Blue's Mike Steele went 5 for 5 for Team Blue today at Udall Park and Team White's Tim Tolson went 4 for 4 as 15 runs were scored in the sixth, and final inning, with Team White escaping with a 10-9 win.

The diehards on the TOTS play on

 Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

The 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers have had everything thrown at them this season, including a deadly coronavirus and excessive heat.

Yet they play on.

The TOTS would normally have close to 100 games in the books by mid August, but today's game at Udall Park was just the 50th official game this season and fifth game this month. And it was a hot one.

With the temperatures expected to reach somewhere between 110 and 113 this afternoon, the TOTS took the field this morning with an 8:30 start. They were lucky enough to have a little cloud cover and a slight breeze and they had just enough diehard members on hand for another official game as Team Blue beat Team White, 11-5.

The TOTS are trying their best to complete the organization's 53rd season, but it hasn't been easy with just four games completed in March, none in April, and just six in May. The TOTS were back in full swing with 19 games combined for June and July and they are off to a fairly good start in August.

Today the first five batters in Team Blue's lineup collected 11 runs, banged out 15 hits and knocked in nine of the runs. Leadoff batter Mike Steele went 2 for 6 and knocked in two runs, Pete Peters went 3 for 5 and scored three times, Doc Thompson went 4 for 5 and scored four times, Pigpen Price went 3 for 6 and knocked in a run and Mike Dawson went 3 for 6 with two doubles and five runs-batted-in.

Ken Nebesny was the big gun for Team White with a 4 for 5 day, while John Mathews knocked in two of the five runs. Dawson picked up the pitching victory and Brad Vermeer was saddled with the loss.

The TOTS "diehards" will take the weekend off and return to Udall on Monday.

Below are the top five players (diehards) in at bats and hits, home runs and RBI through July/2020.

At bats

Ken Nebesny  150, Reed Palmer  143, Tim Tolson  137,  Mike Steele  124,  Pigpen Price  123.

Hits

Tim Tolson  93,  Reed Palmer  75,  Ken Nebesny  67,  Mike Dawson  64,  Rober Beebe  62.

Home Runs

Reed Palmer  7,  Joe Opocensky  1

RBI

Reed Palmer  59,  Tim Tolson  54,  John Mathews  44, Mike Dawson 38, Ron Ryan  35,  Doc Thompson  30.

 

Aces roll in 18-8 win over Rattlers

 

Tucson Aces

60-and-over baseball

The Tucson Aces can be considered the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) farm team.

The youngest and most talented players from the 60-and-over TOTS, an amateur baseball club currently enjoying its 53rd season at Udall Park. Most of the Aces fall between the ages of 62 to 68 with a couple of 70-somethings thrown in for good measure. The Aces battle through out the year against two teams from the south-side of Tucson -- the Old Pueblo Club and the Arizona Rattlers.

They run...they field and they hit...and they win.

Tuesday was another prime example of the Aces' winning ways as they rolled to an 18-8 win at Mission Manor Park over the Arizona Rattlers. Over the past 12 months, the Aces have won 14 times with just one loss.

Every Aces' player hit safely in this one with Randy Livingston leading the way with four hits and three RBI, while Mike Dawson, Steve Foster and Reed Palmer collected three hits apiece. Mike Steele gave the Aces a boost with three runs-batted-in as well. Dawson started and picked up the pitching victory and Livingston came on in the sixth to finish yet another win for the Aces.

Way to go, Aces!

Father and son

 

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Lefty Thunder Tim Tolson, 67, has been banging out hits with the TOTS for eight years.

Today was no different.

Tolson (photo above) went 4 for 4, scored a run and knocked in a run to lead Team Blue to a 7-4 win over Team White at Udall Park in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game. Joe Opocensky picked up the pitching victory and Doc Thompson started for Team White and was saddled with the loss. Mike Steele led Team White with three hits in four trips to the plate.

Tim was strictly a pull hitter when he first arrived (officially) on the TOTS' scene in 2012. Alright,  he wasn't quite 60 years of age until late August of that year and a special waiver (so to speak) was issued, allowing him to play close to 100 games prior to his 60th birthday and play alongside Brad Tolson, Tim's dad, for three games in 2010 and another 60 games in 2011.

The younger Tolson did get a jump start with the TOTS and is the only player with the organization to have the opportunity to play with his father. Brad Tolson, who  joined the organization in 1991, handed over his jersey #3 to his son at the end of 2012.

Brad Tolson ended up playing in 75 games in 2012 and Tim ended up playing in 98 games, although his first official at bat with the organization wasn't until his 60th birthday on August 30.

The TOTS have been around since 1968 and a father-son combination on the field at the same time has happened only once. There is a slim chance it just might happen again in four years. Pigpen Price, 75, has been with the TOTS since 2008 and he turns 79 in 2024 and his son, Michael, who plays in the Tucson MSBL, turns 60 on November 30, 2024.

Of course, for that to happen, the senior Price would need to stay active with the TOTS for another 50 months and, by his own admission, that scenario may never happen.

"I'm already struggling to keep it going," says Price. "It's a nice goal to set and it would be great if it happens, but there's a long road ahead. It's tough to stay in shape and keep playing."

Brad Tolson (photo below) was 83 when his son, Tim, turned 60.

As for the Price duo (photo below), they played together in the Tucson MSBL in 2013.

"Mike and I played together with the Orioles seven years ago," Price said. I was 68 at the time and the oldest player in the 38-and-over Tucson MSBL.  I was pretty much out of my league with those guys. They made me feel old back then and I'm a relic now."

As for Tim Tolson, he continues to attack the baseball. He owns the record for the most hits in a single season with the TOTS at 259, set in 2017. The young Tolson turns 68 in three weeks.

Lefty Crowley leads Team White to 6-2 win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Team White's lefty Dennis Crowley, 70, kept the Team Blue hitters off balance with the "slow stuff" en route to a 6-2 win Wednesday at Udall Park in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

Crowley allowed a run in the third and a lone run in the fifth, while striking out three batters and walking three. He also singled three times, while teammate Brack Whitaker knocked in two of the six runs.

Joe Opocensky went 3 for 3 for Team Blue, while John Mathews and Doc Thompson knocked in the only runs for Team Blue.

The TOTS close out the week at Udall with a game on Friday. Game time: 8:30 a.m.

Photo: Lefty Dennis Crowley. 

Aces dominate Old Pueblo Club, 14-5

Tucson Aces

60-and-over baseball

The 60-and-over Tucson Aces traveled to Santa Rita Park on Tuesday and took on the Old Pueblo Club.

It turned out to be another big win for the Aces as they scored four runs in the second inning, four more runs in the fifth and cruised to a lopsided 14-5 win.

Reed Palmer went the distance for the Aces to earn the pitching victory, while Old Pueblo's Arnold Mares was saddled with the loss. Ron Ryan was the big hitter for the Aces with three hits, two RBI and scored two runs. Randy Livingston and Mike Dawson added two hits apiece as the Aces scored in every inning.

Photo:  Ron Ryan, who led the Tucson Aces to a 14-5 win today at Santa Rita Park with three hits and two RBI.

Opocensky gets another win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Joe Opocensky did it again today.

Another six strong innings on the mound as he led Team White to a 6-2 win over Team Blue in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game. Opocensky struck out three and didn't walk a batter en route to the win.

It was another hot and human morning at Udall Park, but Opocensky cruised along and helped himself at the plate with two hits and three RBI. Brad Vermeer started for Team Blue and was saddled with the loss.

Ken Nebesny, Tim Tolson and John Mathews collected three hits apiece for the winners, while Mike Steele led Team Blue with a perfect 3 for 3 day.

The TOTS return to Udall on Wednesday and close out the week with another game on Friday. Both games get underway at 8:30 a.m.

Photo: Opocensky

TOTS play on

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

The 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers continue to play the game of baseball despite the coronavirus.

The TOTS have managed to log in 52 games in seven months. Under normal circumstances, the TOTS would head into their August schedule with 84 games in the books, but not this season as the members of the 53-year-old organization has more to worry about than getting their swings in.

The organization has weathered the storm, so to speak. With plenty of safety rules in place to keep the virus at bay, the TOTS managed to play 12 games in June, but just seven games in July.

The most at bats by a player in July was by Ken Nebesny, who went 12 for 30 for the month, a .400 average, while John Mathews was next in line with a 14 for 26 effort, a .538 average, to go along with the most RBI for the month at 13 and Reed Palmer went 12 for 26, a .462 average.

Thunder Tim Tolson carried the best average for the month at .720 with a team-high 18 hits in 25 trips to the plate, while Doc Thompson went 15 for 22, a .682 average, and finished second in runs-batted in with nine.

Jesse Ochoa, Bob Daliege, Joe Opocensky and Ron Ryan, all played in five games or less, but made the most of their at bats. Ochoa went 10 for 14, Opocensky went 11 for 18, Daliege went 10 for 19 and Ryan went 9 for 20.

Only seven players played in all seven games in July. The seven: Tolson, Palmer, Nebesny, Mathews, Thompson, Pigpen Price and Joe Aparicio. Price, 75,  went 7 for 23 and knocked in five runs, while the 86-year-old Aparicio walked once and scored a run.

Six pitchers saw action during the month. Daliege and Opocensky led the TOTS' pitchers with two wins apiece.

The TOTS' next game is Monday -- August 3. Game time: 8:30 a.m.

Way to go, TOTS!

Note: The TOTS have 45 active members and 27 players saw action in July. The TOTS' members are virus-free and continue to play for the love of the game.

Boxscore stats for July/2020: