No lead is safe in a TOTS' game

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

No lead is ever safe in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

The perfect example: Today's game at Udall Park.

Team Blue put up a five-spot in the first inning and three more runs in the top of the third for an 8-0 lead. They added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh for good measure. 

But as Yogi (photo below) alway's warned us, "it ain't over till it's over."

Team White put together a four-run bottom of the third, a run in the sixth and five in the bottom of the seventh to tie game at 10-all. And that's the way it ended as the TOTS bylaws state no extra innings. So, another kiss-your-sister game.

Of course, Yogi and the Yankees, like all major league teams, continue on until there's a winner. But the TOTS range in age from 60 to 95 and the powers-to-be came up with the rule back in 1968 and the rule is still on the books. Some of the players like it, some would rather play on.

Today, five hits and two key errors by Team Blue turned into a five-run rally as Dave Byars singled to the gap in right-center to knock in the 10th and final run of the game for Team White.

Team White ended up with 14 hits on the day with Thunder Tim Tolson leading the way with three hits in four trips to the plate -- including two doubles and two RBI. Team Blue's Joe Opocensky and Mike Dawson collected three hits apiece for Team Blue.

The TOTS, with two kiss-your-sister games in the past seven days, try to get back to their winning ways on Wednesday at Udall. Game time 9 a.m.