A windy contest at Udall

 Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Old-time baseball players battle through their share of obstacles -- annoying pain in the old knee cap, in their shoulders, in their throwing arms, arthritis in their throwing hand, foot pain...well you name it, a 60-and-over member of the Tucson Old Timers can battle their way through it all.

The same goes for the weather. Hot days and cold days. Or, for that matter just getting out of bed in the early morning can be an experience. A little water on the face, some heavy duty stretching and then grab the baseball gear and it's off to the ball park.

What can really irritate an old-timer is the wind.

Chasing down baseballs for a ballplayer in his 60s, 70s or 80s is tough enough without a 20 mph wind blowing against you.  Well, that's what the TOTS battled with yesterday at Udall Park.

Twenty six hits and a hand full of errors later, Team Blue walked away with an 8-4 win over Team White.

Lead-off hitter Ken Nebesny led Team Blue's 15-hit attack with a 5 for 5 day at the plate. Nebesny scored three times and knocked in a run, while Jesse Ochoa had no trouble with the wind with a 4 for 5 day and two runs batted in. On the other hand, Team White managed just 11 hits with Mike Dawson leading the losing team with three hits in four trips -- including a double.

Pete Maldonado picked up the pitching victory, while Joe Opocensky was saddled with the windy loss. To both pitchers credit, only three walks were issued during the game. Maldonado struck out one and walked two, while Opocensky walked one and struck out two batters.

The TOTS will be back in action on Wednesday. Game time 10 a.m. More wind is expected and a high  in the mid 50s.

Go, TOTS!