TOTS' Nebesny swinging a hot bat, a blistering 22 hits in last 27 at bats

 Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

The Chemist

Ken Nebesny knows how to mix things and come up with the right formula.

After all, Nebesny received the 2019 Excellence Award at the College of Science Awards ceremony, held last April at the University of Arizona.

Nebesny's teammates on the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers know him more for being a prolific leadoff hitter on the amateur baseball team, which plays three days a week, year in and year out, at Udall Park.

Ken is a quiet dude and plays outfield for the TOTS. He's not one to sound his own horn, on or off the ball field.

But take a gander at the following:

Ken was born and raised in the Bronx. A product of the Bronx Academy for Math and Science at Queens College. He left New York and came to the University of Arizona to pursue his PH. D in Analytical Chemistry.

After receiving his degree from Arizona in the early 80s, Ken stayed on to manage the Laboratory for Electronic Spectroscopy and Surface Analysis in the department of Chemistry. Later he took in the roles of Director of Research Support Services and Operation Director of Core Facilities.

Wow! That's a mouth full.

At Udall Park, on the TOTS' home field behind the Udall Senior Center, Nebesny, who turns 64 on April 25, 2021,  is now chasing a different formula these days. He's discovered the right mixture to turn a pitcher's offerings into base hits. Not just one or two hits every few at bats, but hits in bunches -- line shots to left field, to center field or right field.

This week, in two games, Ken is a perfect 10 for 10 with six runs scored and a couple of RBI to boot. Today, he led Team Blue to a 13-3 win with a perfect 5 for 5 day. Ken will head into Monday (March 29) with 22 hits in 27 trips to the plate for the month of March.

Team White's Mike Dawson was saddled with the loss today, allowing 19 hits, while Bob Daliege picked up the win for Team Blue, allowing just nine hits. Tim Tolson and Pigpen Price went 2 for 3 for the losing team today. Tolson scored a run and Price knocked in a run.

Due to the Coronavirus, the TOTS have played just 20 games this year and just eight of those games have been in March. As for Nebesny, in 20 games, he's hitting at a .671 clip (51 for 76).

Ken  has the formula down pat. Many of the TOTS have nicknames. Ken, a TOT since 2018, now has his: The Chemist.

Photo: Nebesny at work at the plate.