TOTS' Legends Lance, Heiny: Where are they now?

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Once upon a time, TOTS' legends Floyd Lance and Billy Heiny spent their early morning hours playing baseball at Udall Park -- regulars on the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers.

The TOTS' organization has been around since 1968 and close to 300 ballplayers have suited up over the years, laced up their baseball shoes, grabbed their trusty gloves and found their  position on the field, but rarely did any player see action past their 89th birthday.

Except for the duo of Lance and Heiny.

Lance, who lives just two miles from Udall, turns 97 in September and he retired from the TOTS at the age of 94, while Heiny, who lives just a few miles from Lance, turns 93 this August, and he suited up and played for the amateur baseball organization until the summer of 2020.

And it wouldn't surprise anyone if Lance and Heiny pulled into the parking lot, walked into the TOTS' dugout next week and uttered the words: "Put me in, coach!" 

Lance and Heiny combined for over 2,600 hits with the TOTS. Lance joined the organization in 1999, Heiny in 1997.

Hats off to the two TOTS' legends -- Floyd Lance, born in 1925 in Glen Gardner, New Jersey, and Billy Heiny, born 1929 in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Photos:  (top photo) Lance, a first baseman, (bottom photo) Heiny, a utility player who played all positions.