Erica Sims and the Scarlet Flycatcher

 Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

The coronavirus has changed the lives of everyone. So many Americans are in troubled times.

Erica Sims and Donald Garigan lost their jobs due to the coronavirus and found themselves scrambling to keep their heads above water. The newlyweds worked in the service industry in the early part of 2020, but by the spring the couple, like so many others across our nation, were laid off and forced on a path, not of their making.

Erica and Donald found their way to Udall Park and three days a week -- on Monday, Wednesday and Friday -- they passed the morning hours watching a bunch of old timers play the game of baseball.  They instantly became fans of the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers and at least for a few hours, three days a week, the couple enjoyed the park, the coolness of the morning air and yes -- the goings on by a bunch of old men playing America's Favorite Pastime.

Erica and Don became regulars. They sat on the bleachers behind home plate and watched the old men play. Erica not only cheered on the ball players, but she kept an eye out for her favorite bird -- the Scarlet Flycaster.

Erica Sims passed away on Tuesday at the age of 33.

Before the start of Friday's game, the TOTS' manager, Mike Dawson, presented Don with a TOTS' hat, making him an honorary member. Inside the hat: a donation to Don and the Sims' family. Vicki Sims, Erica's mother, was on hand to receive the donation.

After the game, the TOTS, along with Don, gathered behind the third base dugout and discussed the plays of the game. Suddenly, a Scarlet Flycatcher found a landing spot on a tree limb just above Don's left shoulder.

Rest In Peace, Erica.

Photos: 1) Erica Sims. 2) Don Garigan, Vicki Sims and TOTS' manager Mike Dawson. 3) The Scarlet Flycatcher.

TOTS footnote: It turns out Don's grandfather was Bob Wolken, who played for the TOTS from 1983 to 1997. Wolken was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1919. Just weeks before his death in 1997, he made sure his daughter, Marie, paid a full year of dues to the TOTS even though he had been on the disabled list for more than a year. Bob was laid to rest in his pinstripe uniform and jacket. The music selected for the organist to play was "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" and it was no coincidence that Bob's funeral was held on a non-game day.