AL Game Summaries - Spring 2025 - by Jeff Smarr

Welcome to the AL Game Summary/Report page.  Here you will find recaps of most American League games for  Spring 2025, with the most recent games shown first.  Thanks for Reading:

March 28

Today's games, unlike Tuesday where all the games were decided by one run, didn't have any walk-off endings or late game rallies.  Bibianos continues to win, Armed Forces won comfortably and Peace Smoke Shop won their second straight.  Oh and Dave Rachau proved that the ball can, indeed, fly over the fence.  Here's a brief summary, followed by some current stats:

Armed Forces 13, Reynolds Rangers 7

Armed Forces, whose offense hasn't been quite as strong lately, continued to struggle early .  The Rangers, turns out would strike first with 4 in the top of the third.  The Forces would finally get it going in the home half, with four of their own.  This seemed to wake up AF as they would score in every inning  going forward and that combined with sterling short stop play from Mike Ickes was more than enough to put away Reynolds 13-7.  Armed Forces, who  moved into second at 11-8, saw their one and two hitters, Ickes and Joedy Pack combine to go 8/8, each going 4/4 with Ickes getting 3 more doubles and Pack one.  Also, Pete Bell went 3/4, last minute sub John Miller 2/3 and Jeff Smarr 1/2 with a walk.  For the Rangers, coming back to earth at 9-10, both Keith Zelhoffer and Dale Smith were 2/3 with a walk including a deep double for Keith.  Also, Mike Pruden was 2/3 and Bob Schweitzer, while 0/1 walked 3 times.

Bibianos 9, Kingers Medicare 4

Bibianos, now winners of three straight and in first place, put up 3 in the first inning, and gave up two in the bottom, including a HR by Dave Rachau. While they failed  scored to score in the next four innings, they held Kingers scoreless the next five.  Bibianos would  then score 3 in the sixth and seventh and Kingers was unable to mount any kind of a rally, scoring two in the bottom of the seventh but still falling by five, 9-4.  Bibianos, a half game up at 11-7-1, saw a return to form by Dave Price who went 3/3 with a double while adding a walk.  Also, both Dale Gressman and Les Strueby were 3/4 with a double from Strueby and Paul Dickerson was 2/3 with a double.  Kingers had two guys go 3/4:  Craig Josz and Rachau, who as mentioned, homered in the first.  Bob Hamilton was 2/3.

Peace Smoke Shop 11, Timber Creek 7

Peace Smoke Shop, trailed early, giving up 4 in the first, but after scoring 4 in the second, never trailed again. After scoring 3 in the sixth, that was more than enough to ease to an 11-7 victory.  For Peace, now winners of two straight, five players reached 3 times:  John Hinson Steve Starr and Scott Cole who were both 3/3, Jimmie Alexander (1/2, 2 bb,) and Alan Kniager who was 2/3with yet another WALK.  Also Bill Mathews and George Fairbanks were 2/3.  For Timber Creek, who dropped to 10-9, 1.5 games back, Randy May led off and went 4/4 with a double, Bill Mann was 3/4 with a double and Doc Doxtader was 3/4 with a double.

Statistical leaders thru 3/28, courtesy of Dan Braddock:

Batting Average overall:

Kniager .750, Ickes .741, Hinson .708, Josz .699, Smith .661, Alexander .659, Zelhoffer .656, Thaden .655, Doxtader .655, Strawser .648, Smarr .648

1's: Kniager, Ickes, Josz, Thaden, Doxtader

2's: Hinson, Strawser, Piazza .643, Staudt .620, Maynard .615, Zafferano .608, Dudzik .607, Faretta .597, Bell .593, Braddock .588, 

3's: Smith, Alexander, Zelhoffer, Smarr, Parker .628, Faretta .597,May .596, Galles .577, Barrio .531, Gressman, Hess .529

Hr's:  Rachau, Maynard, Ickes, Richter 1 each

3b's Ickes 5, Schweitzer, Galles, Jenkins, Kniager 4 each

2b's:  Ickes 30, Strueby 20, Maynard 14, Josz 13, McGehee 11

BB's Alexander 18, Oberg 14, Fairbanks 11, Maynard, Hamilton 10 each

Play resumes Tuesday to begin our penultimate week of the Spring session.  Will send out stat leaders when I get them

March 25

Editors note:   Pre-game I was fully expecting to lead with "the temperature was hot, but the bats were even hotter."  Instead there's this:  The hottest day of the season produced three one-run ball games, with two coming in walk-off fashion.  In my time here, I don't recall this ever happening.  After all the action, we have a new team at the top, with two teams a half-game back and a third another game back.  Here's the report:

Bibianos 7, Reynolds Rangers 6

Bibianos was scoreless through 4 innings and came to the plate in the bottom of the seventh having scored only two runs.  By the time Paul Dickerson knocked in the game winning run to complete the comeback, Bibs had eight straight players reach base without recording an out. The Rangers, on the other hand, while not exactly an offensive juggernaut, scored in 4 of the first 5 innings and held a 6-0 lead after batting in the fifth.  Turns out, that is all they would score leaving the door open and in the seventh, Bibs walked right through it to earn the 7-6 win.  The wins puts Bibianos at 10-7-1, a half game in front.  Offensively it was overall a lean day for both teams, with Dave Price and Mike Pruden the only ones batting over .500 at 2/3 for Bibs, while the Rangers, now 1.5 games back at 9-9 got very unbalanced production with perfect days from three players:  Pete Bell (4-4,) Keith Zelhoffer (3/3,) and Gary Franklyn (2/2,bb.)  Nobody else reached more than once.

Timber Creek Ranch 12, Armed Forces 11 (8 innings)

Armed Forces, who came into the game in first place, didn't have their usual offense going, but having held Timber Creek scoreless for 5 of the first six innings looked like they'd done enough as they led 9-4 after 6 1/2.  But at we all know, this is a seven inning game and TC took advantage of this provision putting up 5 in the seventh to send it to extras, almost winning it in regulation but coaxed a fly-out to end the  rally.  Armed Forces opened the eighth with 4 of the first 5 reaching safely but only managed to plate two.  Timber Creek, chasing two, got hits from Noland Hess and Don Jenkins to bring it within one and then with the tying run on second and winning run on first , Mr. Clutch, Dan Frank hit a sinking line drive to left which ended up scoring both runs to secure the win for Creek and give AF their fifth one-run loss of the season.  Both Creek and AF now sit 1/2 game back at 10-8.  For the winning Timber Creek, four players reach base 3 times:  Jenkins, Frank and Greg Bradley who went 3/4 and Hess who was 2/3 with a walk.  For Armed Forces, Joedy "bum knee" Pack was 3/3 with two doubles and a walk, Mike Ickes was 4/5 with two more doubles, Dennis Zafferano, Jeff Smarr and Ron Wiebold were 3/4 with Ron getting a double and  George League had a double and a triple.

Peace Smoke Shop 10, Kingers Medicare 9

This game, like our first two was also a one-run affair.  However, unlike our first two, this one was close most of the way, with Kingers scoring 4 in the third to overcome a slow start to close within one at 7-6.  The game ended up tied going into the sixth when home team Peace Smoke Shop had 5 straight hits to put up 3 to re-take the lead after Kingers had scored two in the top.  Turns out 10 was enough as Kingers only managed a one-out single from Jerry Sepich in the seventh, leading to the final 10-9 score.  For Peace, Don Parker, continued to hit well, going 4/4, John Hinson was 3/4 with a double, Alan Kniager, while failing to walk, maintained his league leading .753 average, going 3/4 with a double, Derek Sobczyk was 3/4 and Jim Alexander was 2/3 with a walk.  For Kingers, Jerry Sepich was 3/3 with a sac, four players:  Vernell King, Mark Dudzik, Dave Rachau and Bob Thaden went 3/4 with Bob finally recording an out after approximately 15 straight plate appearances.  

Three more games on tap Friday, five more days total to decide things.

March 21

In honor of March Madness, this is a brief report.  The main story is that with 3 weeks to play, after today, 4 teams are within 1 game of each other  and if things play out a certain way, there could be a three way tie for first  after Tuesday.  Here's a report from  afar what happened on Friday:

Timber Creek 14, Reynolds Rangers 9

Reynolds Rangers came into today having won 6 straight game and Timber Creek, in first place early on, had cooled down and were hoping to get it going again.  Turns out TC got it going all right, scoring the max 4 in the first two innings and despite the Rangers scoring 4 and 2, TD led 8-6 after two.  The game would remain close until Creek put up 4 in the top of the sixth to stretch the lead to six.  Reynolds had no answer, scoring only one more run and Creek ended up with a relatively easy 14-9 win.  For Timber Creek, back above .500 at 9-8, substitute Les Strueby was 4/4 with 2 doubles, Greg Bradley was 3/3 and five others reached 3 times:  Noland Hess, Bob Strawser and Greg Mann who went 3/4 while Dan Frank and Steve Oberg went 2/3 with a walk.  For the Rangers, also at 9-8, both Dan Faretta and sub Alan Kniager were 4/4, while Tom Reynolds was 3/4 with a double.  Oh and Alan also had a double.

Kingers Medicare 19, Armed Forces 8

If you only saw the final score at 19-8, you'd have guessed the high scoring Armed Forces was the easy winner.  Not so fast my friend.  As it turns out Kingers, while failing to score until the fourth inning, held the Forces to only five runs through six, and then put up 4 runs in the sixth and  10 runs in the seventh to make this a no contest as they went on to a 11 run victory.  Bob Thaden, who unofficially has reached base at least 14 straight times, led the way for Kingers, going 4/4 with a walk.  Also, Bob Schweitzer and Jerry Sepich went 4/5 while Craig Josz (3/4,2b,bb,) also reached 4 times and Mark Maynard (3/5,2b,) and John Galles (1/3,bb(2,) reached three times.  For Armed Forces, still in first at 10-7, Steve Oberg filled in and went 3/4 while two others went 2/3:  Pete Bell (2/3, 2b,3b,) and Ron Wiebold.

Bibianos 10, Peace Smoke Shop 8

The final game was also the closest game with Bibianos doing just enough to get the win.   Bibianos was down four after 2 1/2, trailing 5-1, but back-to-back 4 spots put them up 9-7 and their pitching and defense did the rest as they held on for the narrow 10-8 win.  Peace had the tying run on base in the seventh but was unable to get it across.  Bibianos moves to 9-7-1 with the win, a mere 1/2 game out of first place.  Leading the way for Bibs was a 3/3 Dale Gressman as well as three 3/4 days by Les Sttueby (3/4,) Randy Searcy (3/4,2b,) and Joe Brouch (3/4,3b.)  Also, Paul Dickerson and Ron Barrio went 2/3.  For Peace, sub Keith Zelhoffer was 2/2 with a double while Alan Kniager and sub Dennis Zafferano was 3/4.

Lots to play for with two three weeks in the season.  See you all on Tuesday.

March 18 

On what was a very entertaining day of softball (unless you were an outfielder,) 2 of the 3 games were decided by one run and the other was close until the sixth inning. The wind played havoc all day.  When it was all said and done, Armed Forces is still in first, but the red-hot Rangers are right on their tail, just one game back. Here’s my version of what happened: 

Reynolds Rangers 16, Peace Smoke Shop 15 

Usually when you see a 16-15 final, one team either wins in the final inning or comes up just short. In this one, the last runs of the game were scored in the bottom of the fifth by Reynolds Rangers who scored 3 and saw their one run lead hold  up to give them the win. The Rangers only made an out per inning in the first two frames and led 11-7 after three. Peace would answer back in the fourth and fifth with a couple of 4-spots to take a two-run lead into the home half. The Rangers didn’t trail for long, scoring the final 3 runs in their half and Mike Pruden’s pitching combined with strong defense was enough to earn the Rangers their sixth straight win. With the win, the Rangers, who just 4 weeks ago were in last, now sit at 9-7, alone in second place. Pete Laufer and Roger Piazza both were a perfect 4/4 at the plate with a double for Roger. Three others reached 3 times in 4 plate appearances: Keith Zelhoffer (2/3,bb,) Mike Pruden (3/4,) and Dan Farettta (3/4.) For Peace Smoke Shop George Fairbanks was also a perfect 4/4, Alan Kniager  reached base 4 times (3/4, bb,3b,) and 3 others went 3 /4: John Hinson, Scott Cole and Dave Burton with Burton’s day including a triple. Randy May was 2/3 with a walk.

 Armed Forces 13, Bibianos 7 

Armed Forces came into the day averaging a league leading 14.5 runs per game. They wouldn’t get quite that many today, but it was enough to turn back a rising Bibianos team and get the victory in a game that was a little closer than the final score would indicate. The Forces scored the max 4 in the first while sending only 6 to the plate and then jumped to a 9-3 lead after three. At this point it looked like they were on their way to an easy win. Then, Bibianos would put up 4 in the top of the fifth and after holding AF scoreless for the second consecutive inning, closed the gap to two. Turns out that was all Bibs would score and that combined with the Forces scoring 4 in the sixth led to the eventual 13-7 final. The Forces, now alone in first at 10-7, were very efficient in scoring their runs, with only 2 players getting up 4 times. Four players went 3/3 on the day: Mark McGehee, Jeff Smarr, George League and Dave Burton with Burton getting 2 doubles and League one. Mike Ickes, while failing to double, did go 3 /4 with a triple. League, in quite the bounce back, walked zero players to earn the win and HOF’r Ron Wiebold made the defensive play of the day, diving to stop a grounder and throwing from his back to get the force. For Bibianos, now in third place at 8-7-1, Craig Josz was 4/4, Joe Broch 3 /4 while Dale Gressman and Dave Price went 2/3 with Price legging out a double despite his Dr saying “no!” 

Kingers Medicare 7, Timber Creek 6

 Dennis Zafferano hit a bases loaded infield single to score Craig Josz from third, giving Kingers the walk-off victory, 7-6. This game was close the whole way, with no inning ending with more than a two run separation. Timber Creek led until the bottom of the fourth when Kingers bats came through in a big way, putting up 4 runs, to take their first lead, 6-4. After a scoreless fifth, Creek tied it with two in the sixth, setting up the deciding seventh. Winning pitcher Ron Wiebold held Creek scoreless in the top of the frame allowing Kingers a chance to win it in the home half. Galles led off with a single, Bob Thaden then doubled to right and after an intentional walk to Roger Piazza the stage was set for Zafferano, one of the leagues most dangerous hitters. Dennis didn’t blast it, but he did get a hard grounder to first and Josz, now running for Galles, scored easily giving Kingers the W. For Kingers, Thaden’ double was one of his 4 hits in a 4/4 day. Tony Willett, went 3/3 with a double, John Galles was 3 /4 and Wiebold was 2/3 with a double. For Timber Creek now even at 8-8, Randy May was 3 /4, Dan Braddock 2/2 with a sac, while Bob Strawser, Don Parker and Mark Richter went 2/3 with Richter getting a triple.

 Games resume on Friday starting with Reynolds Rangers going for their seventh straight victory with a match-up against Timber Creek 

March 14th

Today's games were pushed back by 3 hours to allow for the field to dry.  It was worth the wait as all three games were close in their own way with one turning into a blowout late and the last two decided by two runs, one in extra innings.  Here's the highlights, followed by some updated statistics:

Armed Forces 23, Peace Smoke Shop 12

Armed Forces came into this game with a plus 42 run differential, the only team with a plus differential.  Despite this, they are only slightly over .500 having lost 4 games by one run.  Which Forces would show up today?  Heading into the last inning it was TBD as the score was 12-9, Armed Forces.  That's when the visiting Forces decided to take matters into their own hands sending 15 to the plate in the top of the seventh as they put up 11 runs to put this one away.  Peace did jump to an early 4-2 lead and the game was tied after three at 6 apiece.  Fast forward to the seventh when Forces, holding a 3 run lead exploded for 11 runs.  Among the highlights:  Mark McGehee hit his 3rd and 4th double of the game to out-double "Mr Double," Mike Ickes who "only" had three on the day, two in the inning and Joedy Pack who also doubled and singled in the inning.  Armed Forces would end up with 8 doubles collectively for the game.  AF, who now holds first place by themselves at 9-6 had everyone bat at least 5 times.  Notable performances include McGehee going 6/6 with 4 doubles, Ickes going 5/6 with 3 doubles, George League and Jeff Smarr going 4/5 and Dennis Zaffferano going 4/6.  For Peace Smoke Shop, Jimmie Alexander reached base all 5 times, going 2/2 with three walks, Derek Sobczyk reached all 4 times going 3/3 with a walk, Mark Richter reached 4 times going 2/3 with believe it or not, 2 walks as did Alan Kniager going 3/4 with a walk while George Fairbanks reached base 3 times going 2/3 with a walk.  Ron Wiebold got the win in relief and now is 2-0 on the season, both in relief.

Bibianos 7, Timber Creek 5

The second game ended up being a relative snoozer sandwiched between two high scoring games.  Bibianos started strong, putting up 4 in the top of the first, making no outs.  After scoring 3 in the third, they led 7-1.  Turns out that would be all they would score, but Timber Creek, who came into the game tied for first, would never mount a serious threat , although they did get the tying run to first in the bottom of the seventh, but back-to-back fielders choices ended the rally, allowing Bibianos to walk away with the win.  Mike Pruden, in his first game back this season, held TC to 5 runs and was credited with the win.  Bibianos, with the win, now sits in second place, 1/2 game out of first at 8-6-1.  Randy Searcy had the best day at the plate for Bibs, going 2/2 with 2 walks.  Les Strueby filled up the stat sheet going 3/4 with a double and triple, Ron Barrio and Mike Pruden in his return went 2/3 while Joe Brouch had 2 doubles.  Timber Creek had three guys go 2/3:  Keith Zelhoffer, Steve Oberg and Bob Strawser with Oberg getting a double.

Reynolds Rangers 18. Kingers Medicare 16

Our final game was so evenly matched it took extra innings to determine the winner.  When the game first started, it was in the low 50's and drizzle was in the air.  Would the game go the requisite 4 1/2 innings to be official?  Well turns out it would not only be official, but would not be over until the 8th inning.  The two teams were separated by one run after the third and fifth innings and were tied after the sixth and seventh.  Kingers had a chance to open things up in the seventh, scoring two quick runs before their offense stalled.  The Rangers had a chance to win it in the seventh, but left the winning run on second.  In the top of the eighth, the visiting Rangers put up three while Kingers was only able to plate the designated runner giving the Rangers, now winners of 5 straight, the 18-16 victory.  For the Rangers, (8-7,) two guys went 4/4:  Keith Zelhoffer(4/4,2b,bb)  and Mark Dudzik(4/4,3b.)  Not coincidentally, both Keith and Mark are near the top of the stats for their ratings.  Also Jimmie Alexander was 3/4 with a walk while Mike Ickes, Don Parker, Dan Faretta and Pete Laufer were 3/5 with Pete adding a walk.  For Kingers, Bob Thaden was a perfect 5/5 with three triples, John Galles returned from the IR to go 4/4 with two doubles, John Miller was 2/3 with a walk and Craig Josz was 3/5 with a double.

Here are some updated statistical leaders, courtesy of Dan Braddock:

Top 10 overall: 

Ickes.778,  Kniager .735,  Josz .726,  Laufer .706,  Dudzik .694,  Smith .680,  Hinson .676, Strawser .675,  Zelhoffer .667, J. Alexander .662

1's: Ickes, Kniager, Josz, Laufer, Doxtader .673

2's: Dudzik, Hinson, Strawser, Burton .656, Zafferano .637, Richter .628, Staudt .620, Maynard .616, Bradley .609

3's: Smith, Zelhoffer, Alexander, Parker .651, Galles .646, Smarr .643, May .582, Faretta .559, Hess .554, Barrio .553

Hr's:  Maynard, Ickes and Richter, 1 each

3b's:  Jenkins 4, Ickes, Schweitzer, Kniager (3 each.)

2b's:  Ickes 24, Strueby 16, Maynard 13, Thaden 11, Oberg 10

BB's" Alexander 15, Oberg 12, Fairbanks 11, Maynard 10, Hamilton 9

March 11

After the first washout of the season, it was unclear how the teams might react to the week away from the field.  Would folks be rusty?  Would there be blowouts?  Injuries?  Turns out Tuesday gave us the closest set of games all season with two games decided in the last at-bat while the other was close all the way and decided by only three.  At the end of the day the standings continued tight with 4 teams all within a game.  Here's a brief recap of how it went down.

Bibianos 13, Kingers Medicare 10

Bibianos, showing no rust from the lay-off, put up back-to-back 4-spots to start the game, while their pitching and defense held Kingers to just two hits and no runs, allowing Bibs to jump to an 8-0 lead after  two innings. Kingers bounced back, scoring six in the third and fourth, while Bibianos, perhaps already thinking of Taco Tuesday post-game was scoreless in those frames.  In the sixth, after Kingers scored two to take their first lead, Bibianos finally started hititng again, putting up 4 in the home-half to go up 13-10.  That would end up being the  final score as pitcher Jimmy Alexander held Kingers scoreless, allowing only one hit in the seventh to secure the win for Bibianos.  With the win, Bibianos is now over .500 for the first time at 7-6-1, only half a game out of first.  Paul Dickerson led the way, going 4/4 with a double.  Also, Bob Schweitzer was 3/4 with a double, Les Strueby 2/3 with a double and Tony Willett 2/3 with a triple.  For Kingers, whose fortunes have turned as of late, 5 players reached 3 times:  Mark Maynard (3/4,2b,) John Miller (3/4,) Roger Piazza (2/3, bb, 2b,) Keith Zelhoffer (2/3,bb,) and Craig Josz (3/5,2b(2.) 

Timber Creek 15, Peace Smoke Shop 14

Don Jenkins singled in the bottom of the seventh  to plate the winning run and give Timber Creek a come from behind 15-14 victory over Peace Smoke Shop.  This game was close most of the way, but Timber Creek never led until final frame.  Both teams started quick,  scoring 4 in the first inning.  TC did it while sending only six to the plate while making zero outs.  The teams were tied after 5 innings and then again after six as Creek was able to match Smokes 4 runs in the top with four of their own in the bottom.  Peace looked poised to have a big seventh, scoring one and having two on with the top of the order coming up, but relief pitcher Doc Doxtader got the next two outs to limit the damage to one.  In the winning at-bat, after Peace intentionally walked Smarr and loaded the bases with one out  thus setting up Jenkins for the winning blow.  The win, puts Creek at 8-6 and back in a tie for first.  TC had seven guys reach base 4 times;  Bob Strawser (4/4,) Noland Hess (3/3,sac,) Steve Oberg (3/4,2b(2,) Don Jenkins (3/4,3b,) Doxtader (3/4,2b,) Mark Maynard (3/4,) Jeff Smarr (2/3,bb.)  Dan Frank went 2/3.  For Peace Smoke Shop, George Fairbanks (3/3,bb,2b ,) and Scott Cole (2/2,bb(2)) reached 4 times, while 4 others reached 3 times:  Bill Mathews and Mark Richter (3/4,2b,) Jimmie Alexander (1/2,bb(2,) and Alan Kniager who was 2/4 with a double and a WALK, only his second in close to 50 plate appearances.

Reynolds Rangers 9, Armed Forces 8

Alan Kniager , filling in at right field, made a running catch to keep Armed Forces scoreless in the top of the seventh, then had a one-out "leg" double in the home-half followed by scoring the  the winning run on fellow sub Dan Braddock's single up the middle to give the Rangers a walk-off 9-8 victory.  Armed Forces, who came into the game averaging 14 runs a game, looked like they were on their way to continuing that trend as they led 8-4 after four innings.  Turned out that would be all they would score.  For awhile, that looked like it might be enough but the the Rangers finally started hitting, putting  up 4 in the bottom of the sixth, making it a tie game heading to the open inning. Things started promisingly for AF as they loaded the bases with one-out and looked poised  at minimum take the lead.  The next hitter, who shall remain nameless, hit a blooper to right but a fast-charging Kniager made the catch and the runners held.  The next batter hit a line-shot to left, but left-fielder Dan Faretta also was positioned perfectly and made the catch to end the threat and set up the Rangers to win the game in the seventh, which as was mentioned, they did.  The Rangers, after a rough start have now won 4 straight and now sit just one game back at 7-7.  Perhaps coincidentally, both Kniager and Faretta were perfect at the plate with Alan going 4/4 and Dan 3/3.  Braddock would end the game 3/4 while Don Parker, Tom Reynolds, Keith Zelhoffer and winning pitcher Gary Franklyn all went 2/3.  For Armed Forces, tied for the lead at 8-6, new HOF inductee Ron Wiebold was 2/2 while 4 others reached three times:  Dennis Zafferano and Joedy Pack (3/4,) Mike Ickes (2/3,bb,) and Jeff Smarr (1/2,bb(2).)

Play hopefully resumes Friday depending on the weather.  Be prepared for possible delay in the start of the games if that's what it takes to get the fields ready.

March 4 

 Normally when you get calm winds and 70 degrees you can expect the offenses to rule the day. Au’ contraire my friends. The first two games saw both teams score in single digits. The last game ended up being more “normal.” Here’s what I recall seeing: 

Bibianos 8, Peace Smoke Shop 3 

Through the first five innings, this was as close to a pitchers duel as you will see in slow-pitch softball. Bibianos scoreless through five, never had more than 4 hitters in any of those innings, while Peace Smoke Shop didn’t get more than 4 to the plate until the fourth and fifth when they finally broke through scoring runs in each of those frames to take a “commanding” 2-0 lead entering the sixth. Both teams knew somebody was going to break-out and fortunately for Bibs it was them who plated 4 in both the sixth and seventh while holding Peace at bay to end up with an 8-3 victory. For Bibianos, now alone in third place at 6-6-1, there were a few bright spots: Jeff Smarr subbed and went 4/4 with a double, Bob Schweitzer led off and went 3/3 with a sac, while Dale Gressman and Dave Price, in his first game back went 2/3 with Ron Barrio also reaching in 2 of his 3 plate appearances with a double and a walk. For Peace, now at 6-7, both Mark Richter and Jimmie Alexander went 2/3 with doubles and Gary Franklyn was 1/2 with a walk and a double. John Miller pitched for Bibs and got the win.

 Reynolds Rangers 7, Timber Creek 4 

Our second game, featured one team which entered today tied with the best record against one which started play having overcame a slow start to get close to .500. Turns out, much like our first game, both teams forgot it was slow-pitch softball, mustering only three runs apiece through five innings. Of course, like the first game, something was going to give and in this case it was Reynolds Rangers who put up 4 runs in the top of the sixth turning a tie game into a 7-3 lead. Timber Creek didn’t have much of an answer, as pitcher Gary Franklyn held them scoreless in the sixth and managed one run in the seventh. All this resulted in a 7-4 win for Franklyn and the Rangers.  For the Rangers, now at 6-7, Paul Dickerson was 3/4, while 4 others went 2/3:  MIke Ickes, Arne Kvarnberg, Dan Faretta and Keith Zelhoffer as he returned from the IR.  For Timber Creek, now in second at 7-6, Doc Doxtader was 4/4, and Greg Bradley was 3/4.

Armed Forces 14, Kingers Medicare 11

 Armed Forces, who came into this game leading the league in runs scored was going to have no part in continuing todays trend of low offense. The Forces would score the max 4 runs in their first two bats and after two innings had already equaled the high output of the day as they jumped to an 8-1 lead. Kingers, however, was not intimidated and after the Forces bats cooled down, Kingers would warm up closing the gap to 10-8 after four.  It was mostly an even game from there with the Forces ultimately protecting their 3 run lead in the seventh with a 1-2-3 shut down of Kingers in the home half, securing the 14-11 win. With the win, Armed Forces is now 8-5 and alone in first place. Armed Forces only had one sub, but he was a good one as Don Parker filled in and went 4/4. Also Mark McGehee was 4/5 with a triple, and six others reached 3 times: Mike Ickes (3/4, 2b(2,) Ron Wiebold (3/4,) Jeff Smarr (2/3,bb,) Dave Burton(3b), Pete Bell and Dennis Zaffferano 3/5. For Kingers, who dropped to 5-7-1, Roger Piazza was 4/4, while three reached 3 times: George Fairbanks (3/4,) Bob Thaden and Mark Maynard (2/3,bb.) Special shout-out to Pete Bell for AF for snagging multiple line-drives at third base.  

Play resumes Friday, weather permitting.  

Feb 28th 

Friday’s slate had two games decided in the late innings, while the third game was close most of the way but ended up in a comfortable spread. The standings remain tight with all the teams within two games of each other.  Here’s the rundown with the first game written by a guest reporter:

 (Writeup from Guest Reporter – “Scoop”) 

Timber Creek 13, Kingers Medicare 12

 The first game  started off as somewhat of a snoozer, as Timber Creek apparently hadn’t yet awakened and found themselves down 12-3 after 5 1/2 innings against Kingers Medicare’s fast start. Timber Creek interim manager, Dan Braddock, must have said a few choice words mid-game to his troops and the alarm went off…waking the slumbering “Ranchers”. Home team TC plated 4 runs in both the 5th and 6th innings to pull within 1 run also while also holding Kingers scoreless. With the score now 12-11 after 6l innings, the crucial 7th inning was now in play! In the top of the 7th inning, visiting Kingers got a base hit with 1 out. The next batter flew out to Timber Creek’s outfield for the 2nd out, but on an overthrow back into the infield, an alert Super-Sub Jeff Smarr (catcher) scooped it up and made an excellent, throw from near the first base dugout to second base where Steve Oberg’s tag of the advancing Kinger runner resulted in the 3rd out. Creek now just needed two runs to pull this game out from the jaws of defeat. Timber Creek got three straight hits from Braddock, Noland Hess and Don Jenkins to tie the game, and then Smarr completed the comeback with a sacrifice fly to score pinch-runner Oberg with the winning run. A game that seemed hopeless after 5 ½ instead turned out to be an exciting and surprising win for the “team in green.” The strong first half for Kingers was evidenced by Mark Maynard (4/4, 2b), Craig Jocz (3/3), Jerry Sepich (3/4, -2b), and John Miller (3/4). While Timber Creek, after waking up, had Doc Doxtader, Oberg, Hess, Braddock, and Jenkins all going 3 for 4, while Smarr went 3 for 3 as well as hitting in the winning run with his sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 7th. Timber Creek stays in a first place tie at 7-5 on the season. 

Reynolds Rangers 15, Peace Smoke Shop 13

 Reynolds Rangers came out swinging, scoring the max 4 runs in the first two innings, only making two outs and jumped to an early 8-4 lead. The margin would stay similar until Peace put up back-tp-back 4-spots of their own in the fifth and sixth giving us a one-run game heading to the open inning. The Rangers put up one in the top half leaving the door open for Smoke but pitcher Gary Franklyn and his defense shut-down PSS 1-2-3 to complete the 15-13 wire-to-wire victory. The Rangers, now two back at 5-7, got a 4/4 day from Roger Piazza while Steve Oberg also reached 4 times going 3/3 with a walk. Two others Randy May (3/4,) and Pete Lauffer (3/4,2b(2,) reached three times. For Peace Smoke Shop, now one back with an even 6-6 record, 5 guys reached base 3 times: Alan Kniager and Fred Ruocco (3/4,2b,) George Fairbanks (2/2,bb,) Jim Alexander 2/3,bb) and Bill Mathews (3/4.) 

Armed Forces 17, Bibianos 10

 Armed Forces who saw their 4 game win streak end Tuesday while also scoring a season low in runs hoped to prove the previous game was just a blip on the radar. Turns out it was, as the Forces resumed the offensive juggernaut they have become putting up 17 runs on their way to a seven run victory. Bibianos didn’t go away easily as the middle innings were controlled by Bibs and the game was still close through four at 9-7. That’s when AF would come back to life putting up 8 runs in the final three frames while holding Bibianos to only 3. The result? A 17-10 Armed Forces win. The Forces, tied for first at 7-5, had several strong days, led by a pair of subs, Mark Richter who went 5/5 with a double and Don Parker who was 3/3 with a walk. Parker ended the day hitting .750 on the season. Also, “Mr. double,” Mike Ickes, while failing to double, instead got a triple as part of his 4/5 day. Four others reached base three times: Mark McGehee and Dennis Zafferano (3/5, 2b,) Pete Bell (3/5,) and Jeff Smarr (1/2, 2 walks.) Bibianos (5-6-1,) had three people reach 3 times: Dan Faretta (3/4, 2b,) Bob Hamilton (2/2,bb,) and Ron Barrio (2/3,bb.) 

February 25 

Through the first two games were a complete backwards day with the first place team losing and the last place team winning. The final game featured two games with identical records, so that couldn't continue. When the smoke cleared three teams are tied for first place with two others just a half game back. Here’s a little of how it went down, followed by some statistical updates: 

Peace Smoke Shop 11, Armed Forces 7 

Peace came out smoking, scoring 4 runs in the first without an out. When Mike Ickes led off the home half with a towering homer to right center it looked like it was going to be a slugfest. Then something happened that hasn’t in a while: Armed Forces didn’t score double digit runs. It wasn’t until they trailed 9-2 in the fifth that they had a four run inning. Turns out they would score only one more run allowing Peace to cruise to the 11-7 victory. Peace scored 4 in two different innings and in each case did so without recording an out. Jimmie Alexander held the Forces at bay to get the win. Peace, one of three teams in first with a 6-5 record welcomed back Alan Kniager to the lead off spot and Alan produced going 3/3 with a sac. 5 others reached base 3 times: Scott Cole, Mark Richter and Bill Mathews who went 3 /4 with Alexander and Derek Sobczyk going 2/3 with a walk. For Armed Forces, also tied for first at 6-5. Ickes, in addition to homering went a total of 4/4 on the day while improving his double total by one to 19. Two others went 3/4 : Dennis Zafferano and Joedy Pack with Pack getting a double.

Reynolds Rangers 16, Kingers Medicare 5

Reynolds Rangers, who so far have lagged behind in the win column turned in a dominant performance on Tuesday, scoring 3 or more runs in five of their six at-bats. Their pitching and defense also was on-game, with Gary Franklyn on the mound, limiting Kingers to two runs in the first 5 innings. Even after Kingers scored 4 in the top of the sixth, Reynolds put them away in the bottom to run-rule Kingers with Pete Laufer delivering the final hit. Reynolds, who improved to 4-7, only two back, got 4/4 days from Tom Reynolds and Dale Smith, a 3/3,bb day from Gary Franklyn, a 3/3,2b day from Jeff Smarr while four others also reach 3 times: Dan Faretta (3/4, 2b,) John Hinson and Laufer ( 3/4,) and Mark Dudzik who went 2/4 with a walk. For Kingers, only a half game out of first at 5-5-1, Don Parker went 3/3 (again,) while Bob Hamilton, Vernell King and Rob Merrill went 2/3.

  Timber Creek 11, Bibianos 5 

Timber Creek limited Bibianos to five runs while scoring just enough themselves as they moved back into a first place tie with an 11-5 victory. Bibianos actually led 2-1 after the first inning, but their bats went dry as they scored only one more run until the seventh inning but that only made it a six run game. Timber Creek now at 6-5, also had a nice welcome back performance, this one from Bob Strawser who not only got the win and went 4/4 from the plate, but was part of a 1-6 line-out off his knee to Steve Oberg at short. They also got 3/4 days from both Randy May (3/4,2b,) and Joedy Pack. Also two players went 2/3: Noland Hess (2/3,2b,) and Jerry Sepich. For Bibianos, now at 5-5-1,three players reached base 3 times: Dennis Zafferano (2/2,bb,) Les Strueby (3/4,2b,) and John Hinson (2/3,bb.) 

 Here are the most recent statistical leaders. Keep in mind this doesn’t include Tuesday’s games which will help some and, of course hurt others.

 Statistical updates through 2/21: Starting with On Base Percentage (walks help, sac flies hurt) : 

 1’s: Josz .830, Ickes .787, Laufer .784, Kniager .724, Pack .717, Strueby .685 

 2’s: Dudzik .739, Staudt .705, Bell .689, Hinson .679, Braddock .677, Price .667, Burton .667, Maynard .649, Zafferano .625, Kvarnberg .618 

 3’s: Parker .720, Smith .685, Smarr .656, Alexander .646, Zelhoffer .645, May .630, Galles .628, Barrio .600, Willett .600, Miller .588 

 Overall: Josz, Ickes, Laufer, Dudzik, Kniager, Parker, Pack, Bell, Smith, Strueby, Hinson

 Hr’s: Richter, Maynard 1 each 

 3b’s: Kniager 3, Ickes, Schweitzer, Doxtader, Oberg, Galles 2 each 

 2b’s: Ickes 18, Strueby 13, Josz, Mayyard 8, Oberg 7 

 BB’s: Oberg, Hamilton 8, Fairbanks, Smith 7, Pack 6.  

February 21

 Friday had only one real close game with the other two being gradual pull-aways. At the end of the day we have a new leader in town, Armed Forces who now hold a half-game lead. But the real story is the parity throughout most of the standings with the top 5 teams all separated by only a game. Here’s what may be the briefest summary of the session(Is a guy allowed to go on a 3 day vacation?): 

Kingers Medicare 14, Bibianos 7

 Bibianos has done a good job putting together winning lineups via the substitute portal. That ended Friday as their 4 regulars coupled with 6 subs never got it going, falling behind 13-3 after four innings and never  recovering. Kingers, on the other hand had six regulars and put up 4 in three straight staking themselves to what became an insurmountable lead. Kingers, sitting at 5-4-1, got a perfect day  from our batting average leader Craig Josz with Josz going 4/4. Three others reached base 3 times: John Galles (3/4, 3b) George Fairbanks and Mark Maynard (3/4, bb,) while Vernell King went 2/3. For Bibianos, also at 5-4-1, three players reached 3 times: Les Strueby (2/3, bb, 2b(2,) Jeff Smarr and Don Jenkins (3/4,) with Dale Gressman going 2/3. Les’s two doubles were a combined 8 feet from being two homers including one that rolled off the top of the fence.

 Peace Smoke Shop 14, Timber Creek 10 

The second game looked like it too, was going to be a runaway with Peace taking advantage of a slow start by Timber Creek and taking an early 6-2 lead through three. The visiting Creek then put up back-to-back 4-spots to close the gap to one through five. Unfortunately for TC, their bats dried up and after Peace put up 4 in their half of the sixth, Creek was down by five heading to the open innings and were unable to mount a rally leading to the final 4 run gap. Peace and Creek now sit 1 full-game back with identical 5-5 records. Don Parker, Mark Richter and Scott Cole all went a perfect 4/4 for PSS with Richter showing no wear from his REO evening the night before as he also doubled in one of his at-bats.  Also, Joedy Pack and Derek Sobczyk each went 3/4 for Peace. For Timber Creek, Randy May was 3/3 with a walk, Doc Doxtader, Tom Reynolds and Noland Hess were 3/4 , Don Jenkins was 2/3 with a walk and Mike Staudt was 3/5. 

 Armed Forces 15. Reynolds Rangers 7 

The now first place Armed Forces saw Reynolds Rangers put up 4 runs in the top of the first and for the first time in a while, failed to answer. No problem though as they then put up 14 runs in the next four innings and eased to a 15-7 victory over the Rangers. The Forces who have won 4 straight to improve to 6-4, got another strong day from many contributors. Let’s start with leadoff Mike Ickes who went with “only” 1 double, although he did  make up for it with  a triple. Tony Willett went 4/4, Joedy Pack 3/4 with a walk, while three others reached 3 times: George League(3/4,) Jeff Smarr (2/3,bb,) and George Fairbanks (2/4, bb.)  Also, for those who follow this league, it is worth noting that Mark McGehee walked not once, but twice.  For the Rangers, Paul Dickerson went 2/3 with a walk, while Tom Reynolds, Randy May and Noland Hess/Dan Frank went 2/3. Play resumes Tuesday with three games starting at 1 pm. 

February 18

Tuesday saw the best game saved for last and more juggling in the standings.  When it was all said and done, we have a new leader in the standings with Bibianos now in first, 1/2 game ahead of two others.  Here's a quick summary of the games followed by some stats:

Armed Forces 18, Timber Creek 11

Armed Forces seems to have put their pattern of losing one run games in the past and once again they put on a big offensive show.  The league leaders in runs scored put up 14 in the first 4 innings, jumping to a 14-3 lead.  Even with a "flip," Timber Creek was unable to put much of a dent in the lead, ultimately falling 18-11.  Timber Creek drops into a second place tie, now even with Armed Forces at 5-4.  Armed Forces got a 4/4 day from Dave Burton who also tripled.  Mr. double, Mike Ickes was 4/5 with 3 doubles, while 7 others reached base at least 3 times:  Pete Bell and Joedy Pack (3/4, bb,) Jeff Smarr and Tony Willett (3/4,) Dennis Zafferano (3/4, sac,) Bob Hamilton (2/3, bb,) Mark McGehee (3/5.) For TC, Dan Braddock was 3/3 with a walk, Mike Staudt went 4/5, Dale Smith and John Hinson 3/4, Mark Maynard 2/3, bb and a 2b and Noland Hess 2/3.

Kingers Medicare 11, Peace Smoke Shop 2

After 3 innings it looked like both teams left their bats at home with Kingers scoring 3 and Kingers only 2.  Something had to give and in this case it was Kingers bats as they would put up back-to-back 4 spots while Peace continued to struggle.  Even with the "flip," Peace was unable to generate any more offenses and, as such, Kingers walked away with an easy 11-2 win.  Peace actually led 2-1 after the first but then went six straight scoreless innings. Kingers, now even at 4-4-1 on the season, got a perfect day from Roger Piazza (4/4,2b,) 3/3,sac from Vernell King, while 4 others reached 3 times:  Craig Josz, John Miller and Bob Thaden (3/4,) and Bob Hamilton (2/3, bb.)  For Peace Smoke Shop(4-5,)  everybody batted only 3 times with three reaching base twice:  Jimmie Alexander and Steve Oberg (2/3, 2b,) and Bill Matthews who went 2/3.

Bibianos 11, Reynolds Rangers 10

Out final game, started off looking like an easy win for one of the hottest teams in the league, Bibianos.  The score was 9-3 after four when the Rangers turned the tide, scoring 7 runs in the next two innings while holding Bibs to one.  The result?  A 10-10 tie heading to the open inning.  The visiting Rangers got two on, but were unable to plate a run.  Bibianos quickly loaded the bases, then after a pop-out Les Strueby came to the plate.  If you guessed he walked to forced in the winning run, you were correct.  Strueby's walk-off walk was the game winner for Bibianos who also got the defensive play of the day from Strueby who earlier lazered a cut-off throw to the plate to nail the runner.  Bibianos, now in first place at 5-3-1, had 5 players reach base 3 times:  Bill Matthews(3/4, 2b, 3b,) John Hinson, Jim Alexander, Ron Barrio (3/4,) and Strueby (2/4, 3b(3,) bb.)  For the Rangers, both Jerry Sepich and newcomer Tony Treiber went 4/4 with Treiber getting a double in his debut.  Additionally both Mark Dudzik and Fred Calloway went 3/4 with a double.  

Statistics (through Feb 14,) 

Batting Average by rating:

1's: Craig Josz .824, Pete Laufer .765, Mike Ickes .760, Alan Kniager .724, Doc Doxtader .720

2's: Mark Dudzik .750, Dennis Zafferano .702, Mark Maynard .692, Pete Bell .684, Dave Price .652

3's: John Galles .690, Dale Smith .684, Jimmie Alexander .652, Jeff Smarr .646, Randy May .625

It's  worth noting that Don Parker is a perfect 10/10 through 2/14 but didn't have enough ab's to qualify

Hr;s Vernell King and Mark Richter, 1 each

3b's: Kniager (3,) Schweitzer, Oberg and Doxtader (2,)

2b's: Ickes 14, Strueby 9, Josz 8

BB's: Overg, Smith (7,) Josz, Pack (4.)

More softball on Friday the 21st, look for lots of subs.

February 14 

 Love (as well as rain,) may have been in the air, but once the games began it was all business, well except for maybe Jimmy Alexander. When the clouds parted Timber Creek finds itself back in first place with Bibianos right on their heels while the hot bats of Armed Forces have them tied with Peace Smoke Shop, both one game back. Here's one observers view: 

 Bibianos 14, Peace Smoke Shop 13 (8 innings)

 Dale Gressman's two-out single in the bottom of the eighth scored the automatic runner  giving Bibianos an extra innings walk-off win over Peace Smoke Shop.  The hit capped off a major comeback for Bibianos who found themselves trailing by  7 runs coming to the plate in the fifth.  Bibs rallied back and had a chance to win it in regulation having the winning run on third without only one out but were unable to get the run in.  In the top of the eighth, Peace was unable to score their automatic runner from second with both batters making outs.  In Bibs turn, Joe Brouch singled to left moving the runner to third.  The next batter failed to produce, but Gressman did and Bibianos got the OT victory.  Bibianos (4-3-1,) got four hits from Randy Searcy, Paul Dickerson and Brouch with Searcy and Dickerson getting doubles.  Bob Schweitzer, Bob Hamilton, Ron Barrio, Smarr and Gressman added 3 hits with one of Schweitzer's being a double.  For Peace Smoke Shop (3-4-1,) Don Parker continued to hit going 4/4 with a triple, Pete Laufer filled in and went 4/5, Mike Ickes subbed and went 3/4 with a double and Dan Frank went 3/4.  Bob Hamilton pitched for Bibs and got the win.

 The Armed Forces 18, Kingers Medicare 8 (6 innings)

Armed Forces, who lead the league in both runs scored and run differential, continued that trend on Friday, putting up the max 4 runs in each of the first four innings as they jumped out to a 16-3 lead on their way to a run-rule victory over Kingers Medicare. Going back to Tuesday, Armed Forces scored 4 runs in 7 consecutive innings.  That streak ended abruptly in the fifth when they were outscored 0-4, but AF was able to close out the victory with two in the sixth as they evened their record at 4-4.  The Forces went a combined 29/36 including 4/4 days from their one and ten hitters, Mike Ickes and Ron Wiebold.  Going 3/3 were their subs: Les Strueby (bb, 2b(2),) Don Jenkins (, sac, 3b,) Lori Alexander (bb, laughs,) with Jeff Smarr and Dennis Zafferano going 3/4.  For Kingers (3-4-1,) Bob Hamilton and Craig Josz each went 2/2 with a walk, while both John Galles (2/3, bb) and Bob Thaden (3/4, 2b, 3b) each reached base 3 times. Jenkins got his second win in a row, filling in at Pitcher.

 Timber Creek 16, Reynolds Rangers 11

This one started out looking like it might go the distance with both teams putting up 4 runs in their first two at-bats.  Well something usually gives, and in this case it was Reynolds bats as they went mostly silent for m the rest of the game.  Timber Creek, meanwhile, slowed down, but kept adding on while simultaneously watching the Rangers go scoreless in 3 of the last five innings.  Creek pushed their lead to six and the Rangers were unable to mount much of a rally in the seventh as TC re-gained sole first place with the 16-11 victory.  TC (5-3,) got strong performances at the plate from Greg Bradley (3/3, 2b(2),bb,) Doc Doxtader (3/4, 2b,3b,) Randy May(2/3, 2b(2,) bb,)Dan Braddock (2/3,bb) while Noland Hess and Mike Staudt each got 3 hits.  May also made multiple plays in RF.  For Reynolds, Craig Josz subbed, led off and went 4/5 while four others had 3 hits:  Pete Laufer (3/4 2b(3),) Tom 3/4, 2b,) Dale Smith (3/4 and sub Dennis Zafferano (3/5, 2b(2.) Doxtader got the win on the mound for TC.

Play resumes on Tuesday at 1 pm

February 11

Tuesday's games saw a tightening of the standings as by the end of the 3 games all 6 teams were within one game of each other,  Talk about parity.  Here's a bit of how we got there:

Timber Creek 15, Kingers Medicare 8

Timber Creek jumped out to an 8 run lead and were never really threatened with Kingers never getting closer than five in an eventual 15-8 victory.  The victory moved TC into a first place tie at 4-3 on the season.  Lots of offensive contributors from the Creek:  Steve Oberg (3/3, 2b, bb,) Mike Staudt, Dan Frank and Doc Doxtader (3/4,) and Dan Braddock (2/3, bb.) For Kingers, now at 3-3-1, Bob Thaden and Craig Josz were 3/4 with Josz getting a double, while John Miller went 2/3. Winning pitcher was Doxtader.

Armed Forces 14, Bibianos 2(5 innings)

Armed Forces, apparently tired of losing one run games, made sure that didn't happen here as they held Bibianos scoreless until the fifth inning.  By that time the score was 10-0.  After Bibs scored two in the top of the fifth, the Forces put up their third straight four-spot to go up 12 and the run-rule kicked in, ending the game after 5 innings.  AF out-hit Bibianos 21-8. For Armed Forces, now 3-4, the production started at the top with their first two hitters each going 4/4:  Mike Ickes, doing his best Tris Speaker impersonation with all 4 of his hits being doubles and Joedy Pack including a double.  Six others went 2/3:  Mark McGehee, Ron Wiebold, Dave Burton, Don Jenkins(sub,) Jeff Smarr and Pete Bell.  McGehee, Burton and Smarr each doubled.  For Bibianos, now at 3-3-1, four of their hits were by  Paul Dickerson and Les Strueby, each going 2/3.

Reynolds Rangers 13, Peace Smoke Shop 11

Our final game was really the only closely contested one of the day,  Early on it looked like Peace was going to cruise with the Rangers struggling to put up any runs.  In the fourth, things switched the other way as RR's bats heated up as they would score 4,4 and 3 runs in the next three innings.  Peace, meanwhile, cooled down as Reynolds, up by four heading into the open inning, held the visitors to a pair of runs in the top half to leave with a two run victory, 13-11.  Reynolds, now winners of three in a row, are nearing .500 as they improved to 3-4 on the young season.  Pete Laufer was a perfect 4/4 for the Rangers who also saw 5 others reach three times: Dale Smith 3/3 with a double and sac,  Pete Bell and sub Jeff Smarr,  3/4 including a double for Smarr, Gary Franklin and Arne Kvarnberg each 2/3 and a BB with Arne doubling.  For Peace still tied for the lead at 4-3, John Hinson went 3/3 with a walk, Noland Hess 2/2 with two walks and a triple, George Fairbanks 1/2 with two walks and also worth noting, Mike Ickes came in as an injury sub and in his only plate appearance he...wait for it...doubled.  Gary Franklin, showing little rust after missing nearly 3 weeks, got the win for the Rangers.

Three games scheduled for Valentines Day.  Let's hope Cupid parts the clouds long enough to get the games in.

February 7

Friday had an early start but it looked like most of the teams were up for it.  We had multiple perfect days at the plate as well as a couple of subs who put together great days while playing two or three games.  Oh, and we have a new leader in the standings. Also, the first round of batting leaders is at the end. Here's my report followed by the stats:

Reynolds Rangers 14, Kingers Medicare 10

Kingers came out swinging, scoring the max 4 in the first two innings.  Turns out they may have shot their wad early as they only scored two more runs the rest of the game.  The Rangers, on the other hand, didn't get to 8 until the fifth inning, when they scored 3 to take their first lead.  Kingers would only score 1 more run(in the seventh,)  and RR tacked on 2 in the sixth and seventh to go up by 5, that led them to a four run victory.  The Rangers, now with two straight victories, moved to 2-4 on the season.  Manager Mark Dudzik and Dale Smith each went 4/4 for  RR while subs Mike Ickes and Jeff Smarr went 3/4.  Dudzik leads not only the "2's, but also the leagues with a scorching .833 average. For Kingers (3-2-1,) rookie John Galles, now batting leadoff, had another fine day going 4/4.  Galles now leads the "3's," batting .727 on the young season.  Steve Oberg and Craig Josz both went 3/3 with a double and a walk.  Josz is now batting .826, second overall, but leading the "1's."  Winning pitcher in this one was Dan Faretta.

Peace Smoke Shop 12, Armed Forces 11

Mark Richter hit a bottom of the seventh single high off the left field wall, scoring Scott Cole and pinch-runner George Fairbanks with the tying and winning runs and giving Peace Smoke Shop a walk-off victory.  Peace led 4-2 after the first, but trailed the rest of the way, at one point down 10-6 before they began their comeback, aided by Armed Forces scoring only 1 run after the fourth inning.  In the deciding seventh, PSS would start the rally down three with one out.  Fairbanks would walk, followed by singles from Alan Kniager, Jimmie Alexander and Scott Cole.  That's when Richter stepped in and finished off the job with his bases clearing hit.  With the win, Peace takes over first place by 1/2 game at 4-2.  Jimmie "Ohtani" Alexander in addition to getting the Win, went 4/4 to improve to .718 on the season.  Also, Don Parker was 2/2 while Cole and Richter were 3/4 with Richter getting an earlier double.  For Armed Forces who now sit at 2-4 after losing their third one-run decision, Mike Ickes went 4/5 with two doubles to lead the way in defeat.  Ron Wiebold and Jeff Smarr went 3/4 while 3 others went 3/5:  Joedy Pack, Mark McGehee and Dennis Zafferano.

Bibianos 12, Timber Creek 7(6 innings due to time restraint.)

Manager Dennis Robins Bibianos fielded a team consisting of 5 regulars and 5 subs against a first place Timber Creek team playing with 8.  Turns out Bibianos collection of players would have the upper hand in this one.  Bibianos led by 3 after the first, 5 after the fourth, and 7 after the fifth and since the game was only six innings, even after the "flip-flop," Bibs would still win by 5.  Bibianos, now sitting in a second place tie at 3-2-1, got perfect days at the plate from four players: Paul Dickerson and Randy Searcy, 4/4.  Jeff Smarr and Jimmie Alexander, both subs, 3/3.  Alexander playing in two games today would go a combined 7/7, while Smarr, playing in 3, was 9/11 on the day.  Alexander also got the win in both his games.  Pete Bell answered his phone at 7 am, agreed to fill-in and went 3/4.  For Timber Creek, now even at 3-3, Mike Staudt went 3/3 while Bob Strawser, Greg Bradley and sub Dale Smith all went 2/3. Smith ended up 7/10 on the day.

Batting Leaders through 2/7:

Overall:  Dudzik .826, Josz .826, Kniager .800, Ickes .781, Thaden .750, Zafferano .743, Galles .727, Bell .720, Alexander .718, Laufer .714, 

1's: Josz, Kniager, Ickes, Thaden, Bell, Laufer,

2's Dudzik, Zafferano, Bell,  Maynard .676, Staudt .667, Price .652, Schweitzer .643, Kvarnberg .640, Reynolds .615, Strawser .609

3's: Galles, Alexander, Smarr .679, May .667, Smith .645, Zelhoffer .615, Matthews .542, Barrio .538, Miller .522, League .522

Hr's Richter (1) 3b's: Kniger (3), Schweitzer, Oberg,(2) 2b's Ickes (8) Strueby, Josz (7) Maynard (6)

All Stats courtesy of Dan Braddock assisted by Larry Strueby.

February 4

The hottest day of the year brought out the hottest games of the session as we had two games go into extra innings with  one ending in a tie and the other  featuring a 4 run come from behind victory.  Oh, and at the end of the day, we have a new leader in the standings..just barely, and everybody has a win.  Want to hear more?  Ok...here goes...

Reynolds Rangers 20, Armed Forces 19

I think we can safely call this the game of the day.  Why you say?  What if I told you the teams combined for 57 hits.  Or that neither team led by more than 3.  Or that Armed Forces came into the seventh inning trailing by three, tied it up and then shut down the Rangers to send it to extra innings.  Or that AF scored three in the top of the eighth, only to have Reynolds answer with 4 in the home half to walk away with the win, their first of the season.  I think you'd agree.  In the winning inning, the Rangers sent 8 men to the plate without an out before John Hinson filling in for RR got the game winning hit, the Rangers 28th of the game.  Armed Forces continues to score runs, 72 for the season, but falls to 2-3.  The Rangers, as you might imagine, had many nice performances at the plate including Pete Laufer (4/4, 2 walks,) Arne Kvarnverg (4/4, bb, sac,) Tom Reynolds (3/4,3b, bb,) Keith Zelhoffer and Joh MIller (3/4, bb,) and Dale Smith with a very unique line of 1/1, 4 bb.  Armed Forces, now at 2-3 got 5 singles in 5 at-bats from Pete Bell and also  had 5/6 performances from both Mike Ickes and Dennis Zafferano with Ickes getting 3 doubles and a triple and DZ geting two doubles.  Also, Dave Burton and Jeff Smarr went 3/5 with each getting a double.

Bibianos 5, KIngers Medicare 5

Any thought that the heat was responsible for all the runs in the first game was quickly set aside as our second game went all the way to the bottom of the fourth before any runs were scored.  How's this for opposites?  Both teams combined for only 2 hits through the first three and a half innings.  Of course, this being softball, something had to give.  Bibianos started the scoring in a big way, scoring four runs in the 4th to take a seemingly commanding 4 run lead.  Kingers would answer back with 3 in the fifth and 2 in the sixth and led by one going into the home half of the seventh.  Jim Alexander singled to tie it up and send it to extra innings where both teams were unable to score giving us our first tie on the season.  Kingers, with the tie sits in first place at 3-1-1.  Roger Piazza went 3/4 to lead the way, followed by John Galles at 2/3 with his hits being a double and triple.  For Bibianos, who sit at 2-2-1, Alexander and Dickerson both had two hits.

Peace Smoke Shop 15, Timber Creek 8

Peace Smoke Shop started slow, but finished strong ending up with a convincing 15-8 win over Timber Creek.  The Creek put up two runs in each of the first 4 innings to lead 8-5.  Turns out that would be all they'd get.  Meanwhile, PSS scored four runs in back-to-back innings and combined with the two they scored in the seventh, was more than enough to seal the win. Peace and TC are now tied for second at 3-2.  Peace got 4/4 performances from Donald Parker and sub Mark Maynard with Maynard also walking.  In addition, Alan Kniager, who led off the game with a triple went 4/5 while Scott Cole, Bill Matthews and sub Bob Schweitzer went 3/5 with Dan Faretta and George Fairbanks each 2/3 with a walk.   Timber Creek got a 3/3,bb day from Mike Staudt, 3/4 days from Doc Doxtader and Dan Braddock with Doc getting a pair of doubles and Dale Gressman filling in and going 2/3.

Early start this Friday, 8:30.  

January 31

The final games of the month started with Timber Creek getting their first loss and ended with a Kingers Medicare win which moved them into a tie for first place.  In between Bibianos got an easy win.  Here's a bit more of the story:

Armed Forces 15, Timber Creek 11

Timber Creek came into this game undefeated.  After the first four Timber Creek batters walked, it seemed like they were on their way to another W.  That's when manager Ron Wiebold looked around for somebody to take over on the mound.  Turns out he didn't have to look far as Ron himself took over.  Ron would walk only one more batter the whole game.  TC would score 4 in the first, but only seven more the rest of the way.  Armed Forces, after scoring 16 last game, only to lose by one, this time put up 15 runs in six innings, scoring 4 runs in three innings and 3 in another.  All this led to a 15-11 victory. For Armed Forces, now even at 2-2, both Joedy Peck and sub Bob Schweitzer went 4/4, while four others went 3/4:  Mike Ickes, Pete Bell, Jeff Smarr and Tony Willett.  For Timber Creek, now 3-1, six batters had two hits:  Steve Oberg, Doc Doxtader, Greg Bradley, Dan Braddock, Don Jenkins and Bob Strawser.  Bradley and Doxtader also walked while Jenkins had a triple.  Winning Pitcher for Armed Forces was Ron Wiebold.

Bibianos 12, Reynolds Rangers 6

With Bibianos regular pitcher still out injured, manager Dennis Robins has needed a replacement on the mound.  Today he brought  in Jimmy Alexander.  The moved paid off when Alexander held the Reynolds Rangers scoreless for the first 5 innings.  The Rangers were down 9-0 before finally scoring 4 runs in the bottom of the sixth.  Bibianos put up 3 more in the seventh, making it an 8 run margin in an eventual 12-6 victory.  Lead-off hitter Bob Schweitzer got on base every time with 4 singles and a double while scoring 3 runs to set the tone for Bibianos, who evened their record at 2-2.  Bibianos got 3 hits from 5 players:  Randy Searcy, Les Strueby, Dave Price, Joe Brouch and Ron Barrio.  Strueby, Price and Searcy threw in a double as well.  The Rangers, on the other hand, managed only 12 hits with four players getting two hits:  Keith Zelhoffer and Mark Maynard with both their hits being doubles as well as two from subs Mike Ickes and Randy May.  Winning pitcher, of course was Alexander.

Kingers Medicare 14, Peace Smoke Smoke Shop 11

This game was close for most of the game.  Kingers, however, trailed until tying it up in the bottom of the fifth inning, making it 9-9.  Kingers put up 4 in the fifth and 1 in the sixth while holding Peace scoreless until finally giving up two in the seventh, but  that wasn't enough as Kingers would go on to the 14-11 victory. Kingers, now sitting at 3-1, enjoyed another fine day from newcomer John Galles who would lead the way going 4/4.  Getting three hits was Roger Piazza, Craig Josz and Vernell King with both Roger and Craig doubling.   Peace Smoke Shop, now even at 2-2, can't blame Derek Sobczyk as he went 4/4.  Meanwhile, Jim Alexander and Fred Ruocco went 3/4.  Winning pitcher was Bob Hamilton.

Play resumes at 1 pm Tuesday, and don't forget the early start times on Friday the 7th to accomodate the tournament.

January 28

Second week of the Spring session saw a really tight game, one not so much and a third whose final score made the game look closer than it actually was.  What's that you say?  Here's a brief summary:

Peace Smoke Shop 16, Bibianos 14

The Smoke Shop boys, despite putting up runs in every inning and never trailing, only led by two going into the final frame.  No problem, said Peace who would put Bibs down 1-2-3 in the seventh to secure the two run victory.  Mark Richter led the charge for PSS (2-1,) going 4/4 and launching the sessions first HR, a three-run shot in the top of the first.  Derek Sobczyk and Alan Kniager went 3/4 with Kniager garnering an extremely rare walk.  Jim Alexander continued to get on base with a hit and two walks.  For Bibianos who dropped to 1-2, Les Strueby had 4 singles in his 4 at bats to lead the way.  Randy Searcy was 3/4 while Dennis Robins and Ron Barrio went 2/3 with one of Robins hits a line drive to right.  Jim Alexander got the win for PSS.

Timber Creek 20, Reynolds Rangers 12

Timber Creek showed why they may be once again the team to beat, putting on an offensive clinic in defeating Reynolds Rangers 20-12.  Clinic you ask?  How about reaching base in 36 out of 43 plate appearances or 9 of 10 only making one out or less?  Perfect days at the plate from the 8 and 9 hitter? 4 runs in 4 of 6 innings and at least 2 in each inning?  That was the story here as Creek improved to 3-0.  Creek had 4/4 performances from Doc Doxtader and Randy May, 3/3 from Dan Frank while Steve Oberg, Pat Moran, Greg Bradley, Dan Braddock and Noland Hess all went 3/4 with Bradley and Oberg getting a triple and Braddock cruising to a double.  In defeat, Tom Reynolds and Mark McGehee each went 4/4 with a double with Arne Kvarnberg and Pal Dickerson going 3/4 and Bob Hamilton 2/3 with a walk.  Bob Strawser got the win for Timber Creek.

Kingers Medicare 17, Armed Forces 16

Kingers showed up to play, scoring the max 4 in the first three inning while only making a total of 3 outs.  Armed Forces, thanks in part to the infield defense of Roger Piazza, Craig Josz and Bob Thaden,  took a little longer to get it going entering the final inning down by 5.  Armed Forces would then bat around in their half, but came up short, falling by one.  Kingers, who improved to 2-1, got 4/4 days from Josz and Mark Maynard, 3/3 from John Miller and 3/4 from Thaden.  Armed Forces, 1-2, saw leadoff hitter Mike Ickes go 5/5 with a double, Dennis Zafferano go 4/5 and George League go 3/4.  Winning pitcher was John Miller.

Play resume Friday at 10 am.

January 24

Today  the wind finally died down, but the competitive spirt of Sun City softball was definitely alive.  Our first two games ended in walk-off fashion while the third...well they couldn't all be one run affairs.  Here's a brief summary of each game:

Peace Smoke 19, Reynolds Rangers 18

John Hinson completed his 4/4 day with a walk-off single that scored Mark Richter from second, spoiling a valiant comeback by Reynold Rangers.  Smoke Shop was in control through the first half of the game before the Rangers fought back, tying it in the fifth and taking their first lead in the seventh after scoring three.  In the home half, now down one, Peace got hits from all 4 batters who came to the plate, making Hinson's game-winner a mere formality.  Smoke Shop, now even on the season at 1-1 had perfect days from the plate from  Alan Kniager and Jimmy Alexander, both 5/5 including a triple from Kniager.  Right behind them were Hinson (4/4,sac, 3b,) and Richter (4/5,2b.)  Also, Dale Gressman  had 2 doubles in his 3/4 day with Mike Staudt going 3/4 with a double.  For the Rangers (0-2,) Mark Maynard, Pete Laufer and Roger Piazza went 4/5 and Dale Smith went 3/4.

Timber Creek 15, Kingers Medicare 14

Dan Frank's two-out single to left scored pinch-runner Mark McGehee from second base giving Timber Creek today's second consecutive walk-off win.  "With McGehee on second, I knew I just had to get something into the outfield and with his speed he'd score easily," said Frank of the winning at-bat.  This one was close all the way with both teams taking turns holding the lead.  After five 1/2, Kingers had a three run lead when the home team scored 4 to go up one going into the final inning.  Kingers re-took the lead in their half of the seventh, putting up two and in a position to score more before the rally fizzled.  In their final at-bat, Bob Schweitzer led off with a double and one out later, Noland Hess singled to score Schweitzer and tie it up with Hess moving to second on an error.  After a pop-up there were now two outs and Frank did the rest taking the first pitch to left with the game winning RBI.  It's early, but Timber Creek finds itself as the only 2-0 team.  Greg Bradley led the way for TC, going 4/4 with 5 others going 3/4:  Steve Oberg (2b,) Schweitzer (2b,) McGehee (2b,) Hess and Randy May.  For Kingers, who evened their record at 1-1, Les Strueby and Mark Maynard each went 4/5 with Maynard throwing in a triple.  Three others were 3/4: Dennis Zafferano (2b,W,) Dave Price and Bob Hamilton.

Bibianos 10, Armed Forces 6

Our final game didn't have near the offense or for that matter the excitement of our first two contests.  Bibianos, themselves a victim of a close loss in their opener, held Armed Forces to only two runs over the final 5 innings, including 4 straight shut-out innings and eased to a 10-6 victory.  The game was tied after two innings, but Bibs put up a four-spot in the bottom of the third to go up 6-2.  Neither team scored much after that and the two runs Armed Forces put up in their final at-bat only made the final score a bit more respectable.  For Bibianos, now among 4 teams at 1-1, Jimmy Alexander filled in and completed a perfect day at the plate and on the mound, going 2/2 with a double while adding a walk, making him 7/7 on the day,while also getting two W's on the mound.  Dan Faretta after nearly fouling out would go 3/3 with a double.  Dave Price went 3/4 as did Les Strueby who hit a double that rolled along the top of the outfield wall before dropping back into play.  Had their been any fans sitting on the fence, outfield interference would likely have occurred.  For Armed Forces, also now at 1-1, four players went 3/4:  Dennis Zafferano and George League who both doubled as well as Joedy Pack and Pete Bell.

Play resumes Tuesday at 1pm.

January 21

Today there were at least two things that stood out at Del Webb Memorial:  The speed of which the new softballs flew off the bat, and the bright orange uniforms worn by the Biblianos squad, our newest sponsor.  All new rosters and a few new faces today. Half the teams are undefeated, while the other half are already eliminated from the chance at a perfect season. Oh well, there's always next year. Here's part of the story:

Kingers Medicare 15, Reynolds Rangers 8

Kingers scored 12 runs in the final two innings, including 8 in the open inning to turn a 4 run deficit into a seven run victory.  The 4 run sixth was done while recording no outs and the 8 run seventh saw 14 guys go to the plate.  This was too much for the Rangers who after a leadoff hit, went down 1-2-3 after that to end the game.  Kingers got 4/5 days from both Craig Josz and Mark Maynard with Josz getting a pair of doubles, while Bob Hamilton, John Miller and Vernell King went 3/4.   For Reynolds, Pete Laufer started the session 4/4.   Also perfect was Dale Smith and Mark Dudzik, each going 3/3 with Dudzik adding a walk and getting 2 doubles.

Armed Forces 15, Peace Smoke Shop 12

This was a true back-and forth affair with no team ahead by more than two runs and the game tied through 5 innings.  After Peace scored one in the top of the sixth, Armed Forces put up the first 4 run inning in the home half to go up 3.  That would end up being the final runs scored as the Forces quickly retired Smoke Shop in the seventh, walking away with a 15-12 victory.  Lots of contributors for AF including Dennis Zafferano (4/4,2b,) sub Keith Zelhoffer (3/3,W) Tony Willett (2/2,W,) Mike Ickes (4/5) with Pete Bell and Jeff Smarr going 3/4.  For Peace, Alan Kniager led off and went 4/4 with a triple and double, Bob Schweitzer subbed and went 3/3 with a triple and double, and you read this right:  a walk.  Bill Mathews was 3/4.

Timber Creek 10, Biblianos 9

It may have been getting used to the uniforms, but after a slow start, Biblianos came alive and in what was the closest game of the day, fell one run shy in a 10-9 Timber Creek Victory.  Last sessions champs, Timber Creek, featured just 3 returning players but they took over where they left off, scoring 4 runs in the top of the first.  They didn't even make an out.  After  the fourth, TC now led 9-2 and looked in control.  Things shifted as Biblianos held  TC scoreless the next two innings, while scoring 5 of their own.  First they scored 4 in the fifth, then in the sixth had one in, runners on second and third with Les Strueby coming up.  TC waived Strueby to first.  Their strategy paid off when Doc Doxtader caught a hard smash up the middle to limit the damage to one.  Still, Biblianos was  within two.  TC scored 1 in the top of the seventh to go up 3. Bibs came out swinging in the home half, plating two and with one out had the tying run on third and the winning run at first.  After a strikeout,  TC's defense stepped up when a hard hit ball up the middle was snared by a falling Steve Oberg who then flipped to Noland Hess for the force to end the game.  Creek was led offensively by Bob Strawser and (sub) Dennis Zaffferano who each went 3/4 and also  Doxtader who had a triple and double while Don Jenkins had a triple.  For Biblianos, Les Strueby was 3/3 with 2 doubles and an intentional walk, with Bob Schweitzer, Dave Price and (sub) Jimmy Alexander going 3/4.

More softball on Friday starting at 10 am