A conversation with 'Father Time'

 The 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers have fielded baseball teams since 1968- fifty-five seasons, to be exact. An amateur old-time baseball club member has one age requirement -- the player must be at least 60.

So, just when is "the peak season" for a TOT?

The consensus is somewhere between the ages of 62 and 67.

After that, the baseball skills take a downward turn. Making a play at 75 is more challenging than at 62. It just stands to reason. The muscles, the bones, and, of course, the mental sharpness deteriorates.

'I remember my first two seasons with the TOTS.' Pigpen Price recalls. 'It was 2008 and 2009, and I was faster than a speeding bullet. Well, not really. Still, after 17 seasons, no teammate has ever used the word speed and my club nickname in the same sentence.'

When a TOT refers to the '60s as his best years, he's not referring to the 1960s but to his time with the TOTS when hits came in bunches and spectacular fielding plays were the norm.

With an active roster of 45 players, the youngsters go about their position on the field or their appearances at the plate, knowing that "Father Time" has an eye on them.

By the time a TOT reaches the mid-70s (and again, not the year, but the age), he has a daily conversation with Father Time.

'How long can I keep going?' the TOT asks. 'I have a new pain somewhere between my head and feet; what is that all about, or why is first base so far away?'

To be honest, I've never met Father Time, but in my mind, I imagine him as a dead ringer for Moses. His voice is pleasant, and his lengthy white beard twirls in the breeze. Yet, you get the sense, in the middle of a conversation, that he knows what lies ahead, and he knows exactly where you are going.

But for now, Father Time sits on his bench on Cloud Nine and keeps tabs on the game below at Udall Park, where a bunch of crazy old men play America's favorite pastime.

Father Time watches. He takes time out of his busy schedule on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to watch his Triple-A team, the TOTS, as they complete yet another seven-inning game. At the same time, through a clearing in the fluffy white clouds, he can see an all-star team at play inside Heaven's Gate. Among the heavenly all stars are catchers Clarence Fieber and Richard McAnally; pitcher Chico Bigham and shortstop Ed Rife -- all TOTS' hall-of-famers, making "the play of the day" and leading their team to victory -- all of them with bright smiles and each one of them not looking a day over thirty.

Over 250 old-timers have donned a TOTS uniform over the years. All of them have left their mark and will be remembered as time marches on.