Game Day Gazette
November 10, 2025
Today’s action was delayed by thirty minutes to allow the temperature to get closer to the magic 50-degree mark. It ended up being very pleasant and warmed up quickly. We even had one player (Jim Foelker) who showed up in shorts and a T shirt! It was clearly an “invite a mercenary to breakfast” kind of day as we had eleven (11) mercenaries in the 1st game and ten (10) in the later game. Thanks to those guys that showed up early to play in the chilly weather. The ‘Mack Brown’ award goes to Mickey Poole who showed up early and stayed late to play in both games even though his team was on a bye.
Game 1 8:00 a.m. Senators (3-4-0) vs. Keystones (5-2-0)
First & Second Inning Recap:
Mercenary report- Senators- (Jim Aaron, Jim Foelker, Mickey Poole, Chris Hurst and Adam Gordon); Keystones – (Paul Rubin, Jeff Broussard, Ray Pilgrim, Lucky Hoffman, Dave Berra and Lynn Simpson)
Senators– failed to score in the 1st inning despite loading the bases on two hits and a walk. Mike Mordecai was on the mound for the Keystones as Tommy DeLeon was off to Phoenix for the Winter World championships. Denny Malloy led off with a hard-hit ball to 1B that Robby Vickery gloved and beat Denny to the bag for the 1st out. Greg Lloyd followed with a comebacker to Mike for the 2nd out. Dean Hector and Jerry Mylius lined back-to-back singles to extend the inning. Roger Geras drew a two-out walk to load the bases but Mike was able to get Will Scheerer to ground out to 2B to end the inning. 2nd– Jim Aaron led off the 2nd with a sharp groundball to short and Paul Rubin’s quick low throw to IB was gloved by Robby for the 1st out. Jim Foelker looped a double to shallow left field and scored the Senator’s 1st run on Mickey Poole’s line single to CF. Chris Hurst grounded out to 3B for the 2nd out as Mickey advanced to 2B. Denny laced a single to right to score Mickey with the 2nd run before Greg was retired for the final out.
Keystones-with only five of their regulars available for this tilt, the Keystones did their best with a make-shift lineup. The Senators had Jerry Mylius on the mound for his season debut. His first start was a little shaky as the Keystones rocked him for five runs in the 1st. Mike Hill led off with a clean single to right. Mike Mordecai drew a walk and Bobby Hawthorne single past the short stop to load the bases. Robby worked the 2nd walk from Jerry to force in the 1st run. Morris Carter grounded to short as the 2nd run scored from 3B on the play. Paul Rubin crushed Jerry’s 1st offering with a line drive over 2nd that rolled to the fence for a bases clearing three-run homer. 2nd– Jerry settled in and shut down the Keystones in the 2nd. Jeff Broussard led off with a single. Ray Pilgrim flew out to CF for the 1st out. Bobby Hawthorne had come in to run for Jeff and apparently ran past 2B and did not touch the bases on his way back to 1B and was called out by home plate umpire Johnny Neville. Lucky Hoffman went down on strikes to end the frame.
End of 2nd Score: Keystones 5 Senators 2
Third Inning Recap:
Senators- Dean and Jerry (like the sound of that!) opened the 3rd with back-to-back singles. Roger fouled out and Will grounded into a force at 3B for the 2nd out. Mike walked Jim Aaron to load the bases (many were surprised that Jim did not opt to refuse the walk and stay at the plate). It turned out to be a good decision as the next batter, Jim F., hit a soaring flyball over Dave’s head in CF for an inside the park grand slam home run!
Keystones– Dave Berra led off the 3rd with a single but was forced out at 2B on Lynn Simpson’s grounder to short. Mike H. ripped a ball to right center and Denny tried to stop it with a kick save but failed as Mike cruised into 3B with an RBI triple. Mike Mordecai singled to bring in the other Mike with the 2nd run. Bobby grounded into a fielder’s choice at 3B for the 2nd out. Morris reached on a groundball to short that was not handled cleanly. Paul lined out to short to end the threat.
End of 3rd Score: Keystones 7 Senators 6
Fourth Inning Recap:
Senators- Chris fouled out leading off the 4th. Adam singled and scored on Denny’s triple to right field. Greg lined a single to right to drive in Denny with the 2nd run and give the Senators the lead. Dean bounced into a fielder’s choice for the 2nd out. Jerry and Roger reached on back-to-back hits to load the bases. Will grounded sharply to 2B but Mike H. made the stop and flipped to 2B to get the force and end the inning.
Keystones– failed to score in the 4th. Jeff popped out to short to get the inning started. Ray smacked a single up the middle and Lucky followed with a ground single past 3B. Dave hit a liner to short that was caught by Jim Aaron. Ray was off to 3B with the hit, so he was easily doubled off at 2B to close out the frame.
End of 4th Score: Senators 8 Keystones 7
Fifth “Open” Inning Recap:
Senators- Jim Aaron took his 2nd walk of the game to lead off the 5th. Jim F. completed his perfect 3-3 day at the plate with his 3rd extra base hit to bring Jim around to score. Mickey lined a shot to left center, but Lynn made an outstanding catch to rob Mickey of a hit. Chris grounded out to short for the 2nd out. Adam singled to move Jim F. to 3B, and he scored on Denny’s single to right. Greg came up with the big hit of the inning as he laced a ball between 1B and 2B for a two-run single. Dean singled but Jerry popped out to short to retire the side.
Keystones– chasing five runs, the Keystones came up short in the buffet. Lynn led off by grounding out to short. The next three batters hit their way on base. The Senators got the 2nd out on a fielder’s choice (not sure who hit the ball). Morris reached on an infield hit to push across the 1st run. Paul came up with a chance to tie the game. I overheard Jerry saying he wasn’t give him anything good to hit and he was true to that promise. However, I really wanted to get a hit to help the team and ended up swinging at a ball that was probably a foot outside the plate and fouled it off to end the game! Sorry, Morris!
Final Score: Senators 12 Keystones 8
Game 2 9:30 a.m. Braves (2-5-1) vs. Sultans (7-0-0)
First & Second Inning Recap:
Mercenary report- Braves- (Jim Aaron, Scott Wright, Dean Hector and Chris Hurst ; Sultans – (Mike Hill, Greg Lloyd, Mike Mordecai, Bobby Hawthorne, Morris Carter and Mickey Poole)
Braves- looking to bounce back after Thursday’s loss to the Keystones, the Braves came out swinging. Doc Hobar singled to right center to open the game. Keith Kreitman doubled to left to put runners on 2B and 3B. Paul Rubin lined a double to center to bring in both runners. Lynn Simpson singled to drive in Paul with the 3rd run. Tom Kelm and Dave Berra followed with back-to-back hits to drive home Lynn with the 4th run. Jim Foelker bounced into a fielder’s choice, but Jim Aaron delivered with an RBI single up the middle for the 5th run. 2nd– Scott Wright grounded out to 2B to lead off the 2nd. Dean Hector out a single to left but was forced out at 2B on Chris Hurst’ grounder to 3B. The top of the Braves order came through with five consecutive hits to put up four more runs. Doc and Keith singled to get the 1st run in. Paul doubled to score Doc and Lynn ripped a single to bring in two more runs. Tom K. singled to extend the inning. Dave ripped a line drive up the middle and somehow (self-preservation?) Greg caught the ball to retire the side.
Sultans– missing the top three hitters in their lineup (Donnie Janac, Gary Coyle and Peter Atkins), it was going to be a tall task for the Sultans to remain unbeaten in the session. Don Roets lined a shot to right center to open the game. Ray Pilgrim followed with a single. Jeff Broussard bounced into a fielder’s choice for the 1st out. Adam Gordon singled to drive in the 1st run. Lucky ground into a fielder’s choice out at 3B for the 2nd out. Mike Hill and Greg Lloyd followed with back-to-back hits to produce two more runs for the Sultans. 2nd– Tom Kelm shut down the remaining mercenaries in the 2nd as he got Bobby Hawthorne to line out to 3B to start the frame. Morris Carter reached on a flyball to shallow center. Mickey Poole flew out to right center and Greg took off on the hit (maybe thinking there were already two outs?). He was easily doubled off at 1B as Dean, Doc and Keith completed the 9-4-3 double play.
End of 2nd Score: Braves 9 Sultans 4
Third Inning Recap:
Braves- Jim F. led off the 3rd with a base hit to CF. Jim A. followed with a clean single to deep center as Jim F. scored on the hit. Dean fouled out and Chris grounded into a fielder’s choice and there were quickly two away. Doc smacked a ball down the right field line for a triple to drive in the 3rd run of the frame before Keith grounded out to end the inning.
Sultans- Don led off the 3rd with another hard-hit single to right center. Ray followed with a line single up the middle as Don scampered to 3B. He scored on Jeff’s fielder’s choice grounder. Adam was retired for the 2nd out. Lucky singled and Mike H. followed with another hit to right. Rather than run through the base, Lucky touched the bag and was tagged out before he could get back to the base for the final out.
End of 3rd Score: Braves 12 Sultans 5
Fourth Inning Recap:
Braves– Paul singled to CF to open the 4th. He was forced out at 2B on Lynn’s grounder to 3B. Tom K. grounded to Mike M. at 3B, and he got the force at 2B for the 2nd out. Dave smoked a ball to center for a triple to bring in the 1st run of the frame. Jim F. slapped a single past the short stop to drive in the 2nd run. Jim A. drove the ball to deep center field, and the outfielder made a play on the ball but could not complete the catch as it fell in for a triple. Scott wrapped up the scoring with a sharp single to right center to bring in Jim A. with the Braves 4th run.
Sultans– down by eleven, the Sultans pushed across four runs to hopefully avoid the dreaded flip-flop. Greg led off with a liner down the right field line for a triple. It looked as though he might be stranded at 3B as Tom retired Mike M. on a liner to short and Bobby on a grounder to 3B. Morris drew a walk and that opened the flood gates. Singles by Mickey, Don and Ray led to three more runs.
End of 4th Score: Braves 16 Sultans 9
Fifth “Open” Inning Recap:
Sultans– although the Sultans’ only trailed by seven runs, the home plate umpire opted to go to an early flip flop in the interest of time (good call!). Thanks to Keith for helping me piece together what happened in the buffet so here’s my best guess. Adam led off the open inning with a single. Lucky went down on strikes, Mike H., Greg and Mike M. all singled to bring in the 1st run. Bobby grounded sharply to 3B and Braves turned a 5-4-3 double play to end the ballgame.
Final Score: Braves 16 Sultans 10
Session Five Standings:
|
|
ASSL C league 2025 5th Session |
||||||||
|
|
Win |
Loss |
Ties |
Win % |
Scored |
Given up |
Diff. |
Games Behind |
Remaining Games |
|
Sultans |
7 |
1 |
0 |
0.875 |
108 |
84 |
24 |
– |
3.00 |
|
Keystones |
5 |
3 |
0 |
0.625 |
95 |
84 |
11 |
2.00 |
3.00 |
|
Senators |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0.500 |
82 |
94 |
-12 |
3.00 |
3.00 |
|
Braves |
3 |
5 |
1 |
0.333 |
109 |
98 |
11 |
4.00 |
3.00 |
|
Pioneers |
0 |
6 |
1 |
0.000 |
66 |
100 |
-34 |
6.00 |
4.00 |
It feels like we should put an asterisk next to the Sultans loss given that they were missing their top three hitters, but every team has had to deal with this in some form or fashion this season. Still up by two with three games to go…
Full Session Standings:
|
|
ASSL C league 2025 Season To-date Standings |
||||||||
|
|
Win |
Loss |
Ties |
Win % |
Scored |
Given up |
Diff. |
Games Behind |
Remaining Games |
|
Braves |
33 |
20 |
1 |
0.620 |
739 |
601 |
138 |
– |
3.00 |
|
Keystones |
27 |
25 |
0 |
0.519 |
619 |
608 |
11 |
5.50 |
3.00 |
|
Sultans |
24 |
25 |
3 |
0.490 |
611 |
639 |
-28 |
7.00 |
3.00 |
|
Senators |
23 |
26 |
2 |
0.471 |
613 |
648 |
-35 |
8.00 |
3.00 |
|
Pioneers |
18 |
29 |
4 |
0.392 |
516 |
602 |
-86 |
12.00 |
4.00 |
Next Thursday’s Games:
8:30 a.m. (H) Senators (4-4-0) vs. (V) Sultans (7-1-0)
9:30 a.m. (H) Pioneers (0-6-1) vs. (V) Keystones (5-3-0)
Braves will have a bye, and their players will have priority in the draw.
Calling all mercenaries, we still have some folks out playing tournament ball in Phoenix on Thursday so if Monday is any indicator, we will likely need guys just to have enough to play on Thursday. Please come out if you can!
Paul
-
To: me · Tue, Nov 11 at 10:09 AM
Message Body
Game Day Gazette
November 10, 2025
Today’s action was delayed by thirty minutes to allow the temperature to get closer to the magic 50-degree mark. It ended up being very pleasant and warmed up quickly. We even had one player (Jim Foelker) who showed up in shorts and a T shirt! It was clearly an “invite a mercenary to breakfast” kind of day as we had eleven (11) mercenaries in the 1st game and ten (10) in the later game. Thanks to those guys that showed up early to play in the chilly weather. The ‘Mack Brown’ award goes to Mickey Poole who showed up early and stayed late to play in both games even though his team was on a bye.
Game 1 8:00 a.m. Senators (3-4-0) vs. Keystones (5-2-0)
First & Second Inning Recap:
Mercenary report- Senators- (Jim Aaron, Jim Foelker, Mickey Poole, Chris Hurst and Adam Gordon); Keystones – (Paul Rubin, Jeff Broussard, Ray Pilgrim, Lucky Hoffman, Dave Berra and Lynn Simpson)
Senators– failed to score in the 1st inning despite loading the bases on two hits and a walk. Mike Mordecai was on the mound for the Keystones as Tommy DeLeon was off to Phoenix for the Winter World championships. Denny Malloy led off with a hard-hit ball to 1B that Robby Vickery gloved and beat Denny to the bag for the 1st out. Greg Lloyd followed with a comebacker to Mike for the 2nd out. Dean Hector and Jerry Mylius lined back-to-back singles to extend the inning. Roger Geras drew a two-out walk to load the bases but Mike was able to get Will Scheerer to ground out to 2B to end the inning. 2nd– Jim Aaron led off the 2nd with a sharp groundball to short and Paul Rubin’s quick low throw to IB was gloved by Robby for the 1st out. Jim Foelker looped a double to shallow left field and scored the Senator’s 1st run on Mickey Poole’s line single to CF. Chris Hurst grounded out to 3B for the 2nd out as Mickey advanced to 2B. Denny laced a single to right to score Mickey with the 2nd run before Greg was retired for the final out.
Keystones-with only five of their regulars available for this tilt, the Keystones did their best with a make-shift lineup. The Senators had Jerry Mylius on the mound for his season debut. His first start was a little shaky as the Keystones rocked him for five runs in the 1st. Mike Hill led off with a clean single to right. Mike Mordecai drew a walk and Bobby Hawthorne single past the short stop to load the bases. Robby worked the 2nd walk from Jerry to force in the 1st run. Morris Carter grounded to short as the 2nd run scored from 3B on the play. Paul Rubin crushed Jerry’s 1st offering with a line drive over 2nd that rolled to the fence for a bases clearing three-run homer. 2nd– Jerry settled in and shut down the Keystones in the 2nd. Jeff Broussard led off with a single. Ray Pilgrim flew out to CF for the 1st out. Bobby Hawthorne had come in to run for Jeff and apparently ran past 2B and did not touch the bases on his way back to 1B and was called out by home plate umpire Johnny Neville. Lucky Hoffman went down on strikes to end the frame.
End of 2nd Score: Keystones 5 Senators 2
Third Inning Recap:
Senators- Dean and Jerry (like the sound of that!) opened the 3rd with back-to-back singles. Roger fouled out and Will grounded into a force at 3B for the 2nd out. Mike walked Jim Aaron to load the bases (many were surprised that Jim did not opt to refuse the walk and stay at the plate). It turned out to be a good decision as the next batter, Jim F., hit a soaring flyball over Dave’s head in CF for an inside the park grand slam home run!
Keystones– Dave Berra led off the 3rd with a single but was forced out at 2B on Lynn Simpson’s grounder to short. Mike H. ripped a ball to right center and Denny tried to stop it with a kick save but failed as Mike cruised into 3B with an RBI triple. Mike Mordecai singled to bring in the other Mike with the 2nd run. Bobby grounded into a fielder’s choice at 3B for the 2nd out. Morris reached on a groundball to short that was not handled cleanly. Paul lined out to short to end the threat.
End of 3rd Score: Keystones 7 Senators 6
Fourth Inning Recap:
Senators- Chris fouled out leading off the 4th. Adam singled and scored on Denny’s triple to right field. Greg lined a single to right to drive in Denny with the 2nd run and give the Senators the lead. Dean bounced into a fielder’s choice for the 2nd out. Jerry and Roger reached on back-to-back hits to load the bases. Will grounded sharply to 2B but Mike H. made the stop and flipped to 2B to get the force and end the inning.
Keystones– failed to score in the 4th. Jeff popped out to short to get the inning started. Ray smacked a single up the middle and Lucky followed with a ground single past 3B. Dave hit a liner to short that was caught by Jim Aaron. Ray was off to 3B with the hit, so he was easily doubled off at 2B to close out the frame.
End of 4th Score: Senators 8 Keystones 7
Fifth “Open” Inning Recap:
Senators- Jim Aaron took his 2nd walk of the game to lead off the 5th. Jim F. completed his perfect 3-3 day at the plate with his 3rd extra base hit to bring Jim around to score. Mickey lined a shot to left center, but Lynn made an outstanding catch to rob Mickey of a hit. Chris grounded out to short for the 2nd out. Adam singled to move Jim F. to 3B, and he scored on Denny’s single to right. Greg came up with the big hit of the inning as he laced a ball between 1B and 2B for a two-run single. Dean singled but Jerry popped out to short to retire the side.
Keystones– chasing five runs, the Keystones came up short in the buffet. Lynn led off by grounding out to short. The next three batters hit their way on base. The Senators got the 2nd out on a fielder’s choice (not sure who hit the ball). Morris reached on an infield hit to push across the 1st run. Paul came up with a chance to tie the game. I overheard Jerry saying he wasn’t give him anything good to hit and he was true to that promise. However, I really wanted to get a hit to help the team and ended up swinging at a ball that was probably a foot outside the plate and fouled it off to end the game! Sorry, Morris!
Final Score: Senators 12 Keystones 8
Game 2 9:30 a.m. Braves (2-5-1) vs. Sultans (7-0-0)
First & Second Inning Recap:
Mercenary report- Braves- (Jim Aaron, Scott Wright, Dean Hector and Chris Hurst ; Sultans – (Mike Hill, Greg Lloyd, Mike Mordecai, Bobby Hawthorne, Morris Carter and Mickey Poole)
Braves- looking to bounce back after Thursday’s loss to the Keystones, the Braves came out swinging. Doc Hobar singled to right center to open the game. Keith Kreitman doubled to left to put runners on 2B and 3B. Paul Rubin lined a double to center to bring in both runners. Lynn Simpson singled to drive in Paul with the 3rd run. Tom Kelm and Dave Berra followed with back-to-back hits to drive home Lynn with the 4th run. Jim Foelker bounced into a fielder’s choice, but Jim Aaron delivered with an RBI single up the middle for the 5th run. 2nd– Scott Wright grounded out to 2B to lead off the 2nd. Dean Hector out a single to left but was forced out at 2B on Chris Hurst’ grounder to 3B. The top of the Braves order came through with five consecutive hits to put up four more runs. Doc and Keith singled to get the 1st run in. Paul doubled to score Doc and Lynn ripped a single to bring in two more runs. Tom K. singled to extend the inning. Dave ripped a line drive up the middle and somehow (self-preservation?) Greg caught the ball to retire the side.
Sultans– missing the top three hitters in their lineup (Donnie Janac, Gary Coyle and Peter Atkins), it was going to be a tall task for the Sultans to remain unbeaten in the session. Don Roets lined a shot to right center to open the game. Ray Pilgrim followed with a single. Jeff Broussard bounced into a fielder’s choice for the 1st out. Adam Gordon singled to drive in the 1st run. Lucky ground into a fielder’s choice out at 3B for the 2nd out. Mike Hill and Greg Lloyd followed with back-to-back hits to produce two more runs for the Sultans. 2nd– Tom Kelm shut down the remaining mercenaries in the 2nd as he got Bobby Hawthorne to line out to 3B to start the frame. Morris Carter reached on a flyball to shallow center. Mickey Poole flew out to right center and Greg took off on the hit (maybe thinking there were already two outs?). He was easily doubled off at 1B as Dean, Doc and Keith completed the 9-4-3 double play.
End of 2nd Score: Braves 9 Sultans 4
Third Inning Recap:
Braves- Jim F. led off the 3rd with a base hit to CF. Jim A. followed with a clean single to deep center as Jim F. scored on the hit. Dean fouled out and Chris grounded into a fielder’s choice and there were quickly two away. Doc smacked a ball down the right field line for a triple to drive in the 3rd run of the frame before Keith grounded out to end the inning.
Sultans- Don led off the 3rd with another hard-hit single to right center. Ray followed with a line single up the middle as Don scampered to 3B. He scored on Jeff’s fielder’s choice grounder. Adam was retired for the 2nd out. Lucky singled and Mike H. followed with another hit to right. Rather than run through the base, Lucky touched the bag and was tagged out before he could get back to the base for the final out.
End of 3rd Score: Braves 12 Sultans 5
Fourth Inning Recap:
Braves– Paul singled to CF to open the 4th. He was forced out at 2B on Lynn’s grounder to 3B. Tom K. grounded to Mike M. at 3B, and he got the force at 2B for the 2nd out. Dave smoked a ball to center for a triple to bring in the 1st run of the frame. Jim F. slapped a single past the short stop to drive in the 2nd run. Jim A. drove the ball to deep center field, and the outfielder made a play on the ball but could not complete the catch as it fell in for a triple. Scott wrapped up the scoring with a sharp single to right center to bring in Jim A. with the Braves 4th run.
Sultans– down by eleven, the Sultans pushed across four runs to hopefully avoid the dreaded flip-flop. Greg led off with a liner down the right field line for a triple. It looked as though he might be stranded at 3B as Tom retired Mike M. on a liner to short and Bobby on a grounder to 3B. Morris drew a walk and that opened the flood gates. Singles by Mickey, Don and Ray led to three more runs.
End of 4th Score: Braves 16 Sultans 9
Fifth “Open” Inning Recap:
Sultans– although the Sultans’ only trailed by seven runs, the home plate umpire opted to go to an early flip flop in the interest of time (good call!). Thanks to Keith for helping me piece together what happened in the buffet so here’s my best guess. Adam led off the open inning with a single. Lucky went down on strikes, Mike H., Greg and Mike M. all singled to bring in the 1st run. Bobby grounded sharply to 3B and Braves turned a 5-4-3 double play to end the ballgame.
Final Score: Braves 16 Sultans 10
Session Five Standings:
ASSL C league 2025 5th Session
Win
Loss
Ties
Win %
Scored
Given up
Diff.
Games Behind
Remaining Games
Sultans
7
1
0
0.875
108
84
24
–
3.00
Keystones
5
3
0
0.625
95
84
11
2.00
3.00
Senators
4
4
0
0.500
82
94
-12
3.00
3.00
Braves
3
5
1
0.333
109
98
11
4.00
3.00
Pioneers
0
6
1
0.000
66
100
-34
6.00
4.00
It feels like we should put an asterisk next to the Sultans loss given that they were missing their top three hitters, but every team has had to deal with this in some form or fashion this season. Still up by two with three games to go…
Full Session Standings:
ASSL C league 2025 Season To-date Standings
Win
Loss
Ties
Win %
Scored
Given up
Diff.
Games Behind
Remaining Games
Braves
33
20
1
0.620
739
601
138
–
3.00
Keystones
27
25
0
0.519
619
608
11
5.50
3.00
Sultans
24
25
3
0.490
611
639
-28
7.00
3.00
Senators
23
26
2
0.471
613
648
-35
8.00
3.00
Pioneers
18
29
4
0.392
516
602
-86
12.00
4.00
Next Thursday’s Games:
8:30 a.m. (H) Senators (4-4-0) vs. (V) Sultans (7-1-0)
9:30 a.m. (H) Pioneers (0-6-1) vs. (V) Keystones (5-3-0)
Braves will have a bye, and their players will have priority in the draw.
Calling all mercenaries, we still have some folks out playing tournament ball in Phoenix on Thursday so if Monday is any indicator, we will likely need guys just to have enough to play on Thursday. Please come out if you can!
Paul