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Game Day Gazette
June 19, 2025
Today marks the start of a new session and if today’s games are any indication, it’s going to be a wild one. Both games were decided by one run and featured some great pitching, defense and timely hitting and from a spectator standpoint, some great viewing!
Effective today, we also adopted a “walk refusal” policy for league play. We have never “allowed” intentional walks in our league but with our skilled pitchers, sometimes it is hard to distinguish what is an intentional walk. Under the new policy, the batter may decline the walk but once they do, they no longer have the option of walking and must continue to bat until such time that they hit a fair ball, strike out or foul out.
Welcoming another new player, Tim Heher, to the league this morning. Tim is returning to the league after an extended time away and we are happy to have him back. Team assignments for both Tim and Dean Hector will be made prior to next Monday’s games.
Game 1 8:30 a.m. Sultans (0-0-0) vs. Pioneers (0-0-0)
First & Second Inning Recap:
Sultans– started fast as the first four batters reached base with singles but the rally fizzled as the next three batters were retired as the Sultans could only push across a couple of runs in the 1st inning. Chris Villareal singled to right to start the game. Ray Pilgrim singled, and Don Roets drove in the Sultan’s first run with a single over 2B. Adam Gordon lifted a flyball over the shortstop for a single to bring in Ray with the Sultan’s 2nd run. Lucky Hoffman fouled out for the 1st out. Chris Hurst ground into a fielder’s choice out at 3B and Jack Kelly popped out to 1B to end the inning. 2nd– quick 2nd inning for the Sultans as only four batters came to the plate. Ray Saldana ground out to SS to open the frame. The Sultans picked up three mercenaries for this game (Paul Rubin, Jim Aaron and Greg Lloyd). Paul singled to center field, Jim flew out to left and Greg ground out to 1B to end the frame.
Pioneers- pitching and defense dominated as the Sultans held the Pioneers to only two runs in their first two innings. Scott Wright led off with a wicked line drive that 1B Jim Aaron speared to prevent a sure double or more. Jack Adams followed with a single to left. Mike Carroll stroked a high fly to right center and Chris Hurst was perfectly positioned for the catch and the 2nd out. Mickey Poole popped out to the catcher to retire the side. 2nd– Sal Lopez led off the 2nd with a line single to left and moved to 2B on Larry King’s base hit. New guy #1, Dean Hector, lined out to left center for the 1st out of the inning. New guy #2, Tim Herer, hit a sharp groundball to 3B that Greg Lloyd was able to handle and make the throw to 2B for the force and the 2nd out. Jim Foelker singled to left to drive in Sal with the Pioneer’s 1st run. Patrick Schmidt ripped a hit to right center to drive in Larry, but Jim F. tried to score on the hit and was thrown out at home on a nice relay with throws from Paul to Adam to Ray to end the inning.
End of 2nd Score: Sultans 2 Pioneers 2
Third Inning Recap:
Sultans-Chris V. led off the 2nd with a single. Ray P. flew out to LF for the 1st out. Don slapped a single up the middle and Adam beat out an infield hit to load the bases. Lucky ground out to 3B and Chris was able to score of the play to 2B. Chris H. ended the inning with a groundout to 3B that Margarito took to the bag for the final out.
Pioneers- back-to-back doubles by Lynn Simpson and Scott produced the Pioneer’s 1st run in the 2nd. Jack laced a single to left to drive in Scott with the 2nd run. Mickey flew out to Paul in LC for the 1st out. Sal lined a ball towards left field, and I cut in front of LF Ray P. to make a running catch for the 2nd out (sorry ‘bout that Ray!). Dean fouled out to end the inning as Jack Kelly was able to limit the damage to only two runs.
End of 3rd Score: Pioneers 4 Sultans 3
Fourth Inning Recap:
Sultans- another quick inning for P Sal Lopez as he faced the minimum three batters to get out of the inning. Jack popped out to 1B to start the inning. Ray S. bounced out to 2B for the 2nd out. Paul singled to LC and Patrick appeared to bobble the ball, so I went for 2B and was thrown out by a step to end the inning (beware of the “fake” bobble).
Pioneers– biggest offensive outburst of the game by the men in Blue as they put up four big runs in the inning. Tim H. and Jim F. opened the inning with back-to-back hits. Patrick drilled a shot to right field that got by Lucky and rolled to the fence as Patrick circled the bases for a three-run inside the park home run. Scott followed with a towering shot that went over Lucky’s head (he had no chance to catch this one!) for back-to-back homers for the suddenly powerful Pioneers. Jack flew out to LF on a nice running catch by Ray P. (reminding onlookers of Jose Altuve playing the same position for the Astros!). Mike ground out to short for the final out of the inning.
End of 4th Score: Pioneers 8 Sultans 3
Fifth Inning Recap:
Sultans– fought their way back into the game with a five-run outburst in the inning. Jim A. led off with a single and moved to 2B on Greg’s looping ball to RF. Chris V. singled to load the bases with nobody out. Ray P. drew a walk and momentarily invoked the “walk refusal” rule but was convinced to go ahead and accept the free pass by his manager, Jack Kelly, to force in the 1st run of the inning. Don singled to drive in the 2nd run of the frame. Adam popped out to SS for the only out of the inning. Lucky worked P Sal for the 2nd bases loaded walk of the inning to push across the 3rd run. Chris H. ripped a line single to left for the 4th run. Jack finished off the inning with a base hit to right to even the score at 8-8.
Pioneers– the inning got off to a promising start as Mickey and Sal opened with back-to- back singles. Larry hit a short fly to LC that I was able to grab and narrowly avoided doubling Mickey off 2B. Dean ground into a fielder’s choice out at 2B for the 2nd out. Tim H. lined a ball to left center for the final out of the Pioneer’s scoreless 5th inning.
End of 5th Score: Pioneers 8 Sultans 8
Sixth (Open) Inning Recap:
Sultans– Ray S. opened the buffet with a sizzling groundball just inside the 3B line for a leadoff single. Paul singled to move the pinch runner to 2B. Jim A. hit a flyball to deep right center and Lynn Simpson made an incredible acrobatic catch on the ball for the 1st out. Both runners were able to advance on the play. Greg bounced out to 2B, allowing the runner from 3B to score on the play. Chris V. ripped two line drives down the right field line but unfortunately both were foul balls, and he fouled out to retire the side.
Pioneers– only needing one run to tie and two to win the game, things looked promising for the Pioneers. Jim F. led off with a “squibber” down the 1B line that Jim A. grabbed before it skipped into foul territory and tagged the runner for the 1st out. Patrick completed a perfect 3-3 day with a sharp single to right. Lynn followed with a hard groundball to 2B that literally knocked Don off his feet. He quickly recovered and made a quick toss to 2B ahead of the speedy Patrick to get the force and the 2nd out of the inning. Scott stepped up with the tying run on 1B and ripped an absolute missile to right. Jim A., in a play reminiscent of Scott’s opening at bat, made an incredible catch to end the game (“walk-off catch”) to give the Sultans a thrilling 9-8 victory.
Final Score: Sultans 9 Pioneers 8
Game 2 9:30 a.m. Keystones (0-0-0) vs. Senators (0-0-0)
First & Second Inning Recap:
Keystones- Mike Hill popped out to 1B to open the game for the Keystones. John Flowers drew a walk and moved to 3B on Barry McRee’s line single up the middle. Patrick Schmidt singled to right, scoring John with the 1st run of the frame. Bobby Hawthorne and Alex Valles were retired on groundballs to 3B and 1B, respectively to end the inning. 2nd-Margarito Canava led off the 2nd with a line drive to 3B Dean Hector. It appeared that Dean trapped the ball, but Margarito thought he caught it in the air. Just to make sure, Dean tossed the ball to P Raul DeLeon who threw to 1B to complete the 5-1-3 putout. Robby Vickery lined a double to RF and moved to 3B on Johnny Neville’s single. Morris Carter dropped down a swinging bunt to load the bases. Sal Lopez drilled an RBI single over the shortstop’s head for the 1st run of the frame. Jim Aaron followed by crushing a ball that caromed off the left field fence for a three-run bases clearing double. Mike H. singled to move Jim to 3B, and he scored on John’s ground single to right.
Senators- were unable to get much offense going in the 1st two innings and only came away with a single run. Henry Flores ground out to short to open the inning. Greg Lloyd followed with a line single. Raul DeLeon flew out to Patrick in CF for the 2nd out. Tim Coles single moved Greg to 3B and he scored on Jerry Mylius’ single to right. Will Scheerer popped out to 2B to end the frame. 2nd-Scott Wright led off the 2nd with a base hit up the middle. He was forced out at 2B on Dean Hector’s groundball to SS. Chris V. fouled out for the 2nd out of the inning. Ray Pilgrim drew a walk but pursuant to the new policy, he refused the walk and continue the at bat ultimately lining out to short to end the inning.
End of 2nd Score: Keystones 6 Senators 1
Third Inning Recap:
Keystones– Barry led off with a ringing double over the outstretched glove of SS Tim Coles. Patrick ground out to Tim on a close play at 1B for the 1st out. Bobby popped out to 2B, and Alex grounded back to the pitcher for the final out in the Keystone’s scoreless inning.
Senators– narrowed the lead to three runs in the 3rd inning. Jack Adams opened the frame with a line single. Henry made the 1st out on a pop fly to 2B. Greg bounced into a fielder’s choice at 2B for the 2nd out. Raul’s double to CF scored Greg with the 1st run of the inning. Tim followed with a single to shallow center to score Raul with the 2nd run. Jerry ended the inning with a groundout to 2B.
End of 3rd Score: Keystones 6 Senators 3
Fourth Inning Recap:
Keystones- Raul pitched his 2nd consecutive shutout inning in the 4th. Margarito led off with a pop fly out to Tim in shallow left center. Robby was retired on a comebacker to Raul. Johnny singled but his pinch runner was erased on Morris’ fielder’s choice grounder to SS.
Senators– looked like they would have a great chance to get back into the game as Will led off the inning with a single and moved to 3B on Scott’s double. Dean lined out to short on a “leaping” catch by Tim for the 1st out. Chris V. fouled out when he lost his footing in the box and twisted his ankle/knee and had to leave the game. Ray P. ripped a line drive to left and Bobby somehow was able to secure the ball just inches above the ground to retire the side.
End of 4th Score: Keystones 6 Senators 3
Fifth Inning Recap:
Keystones- continued to struggle at the plate with their 3rd consecutive scoreless inning. Sal ground out to Tim for the 1st out. Jim A. lined a double to right center and moved to 3B on Mike’s single. John popped out to Greg at 1B for the 2nd out. Barry reached on an infield single, but Jim was unable to score on the play. Patrick bounced the next pitch to Scott, and he tossed to Tim at 2B for an inning end force to keep the Keystones lead at three runs.
Senators– rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the 5th. Jack singled to open the frame. Henry followed with a base hit to left as Jack moved to 2B. Greg hit into a fielder’s choice for the 1st out. Raul cracked his 2nd double of the game, scoring both runners. Tim unloaded on a ball that hit the top of the left field fence for a run scoring triple. He was stranded at 3B as Jerry flew out to Patrick for the final out with the score now tied at 6-6.
End of 5th Score: Keystones 6 Senators 6
Sixth (Open) Inning Recap:
Keystones- with the game now tied, the Keystones were unable to put up any runs for the 4th consecutive inning. I apologize for missing the details of Keystone’s at bat, but I had to sub in for the injured Chris V. and waited too long to go back and try to update the scorebook.
Senators– needing a run to win the ball game, Scott led off the open inning with a booming triple to right that rolled to the fence for a triple (completing his mini-cycle of a single, double and triple for the game). 3B coach, Greg Lloyd, thought about sending him to complete the inside the park home run but cooler heads prevailed, and Scott stayed at 3B. Dean popped a ball up in the infield and it fell between 3B and SS for a walk off “hit” to win the game for the Senators.
Final Score: Senators 7 Keystones 6
Session Three Standings:
The Sultans and the Senators share the lead after the 1st slate of games with the idle Braves a half-game back and the Pioneers and Keystones in the cellar.
Full Session Standings:
ASSL C league 2025 Season To-date Standings
Win
Loss
Ties
Win %
Scored
Given up
Diff.
Games Behind
Braves
15
6
0
0.714
301
222
79
–
Pioneers
12
10
0
0.545
251
247
4
3.50
Senators
10
11
0
0.476
260
281
-21
5.00
Keystones
9
13
0
0.409
264
286
-22
6.50
Sultans
8
14
0
0.364
252
292
-40
7.50
With their loss to the Sultans, the Pioneers fell 3.50 games behind the front running Braves. Don’t count out the Senators who are closing the gap and now trail by only 5.0 games. Still, lots of games to be played, who knows what the next three sessions will bring!
Next Games: Monday June 23, 2025
Game 1 8:30 a.m. (H) Sultans (1-0-0) vs. (V) Senators (1-0-0)
Game 2 9:30 a.m. (H) Braves (0-0-0) vs. (V) Pioneers (0-1-0)
Keystones have the bye on Monday so their players will have priority in the draw.
Other C league news:
Hopefully most of you have seen these helpful tips from Doc Hobar on dealing with the Texas heat but just in case, here you go. Please read and heed as we want everyone to remain healthy so you can keep on playing…
Doc Hobar shared the following: “I’m going to recirculate an email created by the great Brian Flynn, our softball brother who we lost in 2023”.
Now’s the time to be on guard for heat exhaustion which can progress quickly. Hydrate the night before until your urine is clear yellow. Stay hydrated and as cool as possible when playing. Head for the shade when possible. Consider cooling down with cool wet towels on your head and neck when in the dugout. If you feel anything – dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, weakness: stop, tell someone and cool down. You guys are the best! Doc
From Brian:
Fellow players,
A summary of an article on heat and older people. Useful stuff in here.
Summer of 2022-European Heat Wave-90% of deaths were in people 65 or older.
Main cooling mechanisms: Sweating (with evaporation carrying away heat) and increased blood flow to skin (moves heat from core to surface)
Core temperature is key.
Factors making it harder to cool body: cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Older people stop feeling thirsty, tend to drink less. Dehydration danger.
Some meds affect hydration, blood flow, and sweat response. Ask your doctor if you take any medication that can do this.
Heat exhaustion can emerge as low as 80 degrees in older adults. Symptoms include dizziness, lightheaded, headache, racing heart, lethargy, muscle cramps, confusion. Also, trouble communicating. Physical activity feels harder than normal. If you have any of these symptoms it is time to stop and cool down.
Countermeasures: A/C can be 77 degrees or less. Rub ice on skin. Spray cool water on yourself, drench your shirt, put cool wet rag around back of neck.
If you keep going, you are running the risk of heat stroke- core temperature is 104 degrees or higher- you are starting to unravel your protein molecules- could be fatal.
Brian Flynn
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