Game Day Gazette
July 27, 2026
Another day, another team (s) at the top of the heap. Blue’s reign at the top was short lived as wins by Red and Gray put those teams back in the lead. Green continues to struggle to find their footing in the session as they fell further into the abyss. Here’s the rest of the story…
Game 1 8:00 a.m. Green (3-4-0) vs. Red (4-4-0)
First & Second Inning Recap:
Red-Doc Hobar, showing he is clearly the straw that stirs the drink for the Red squad, led off the game with a single to right. Patrick Schmidt went down swinging for the first out. P Tom Kelm delivered a perfectly placed strike on the corner to get John Flowers looking for the 2nd out. Ken Brown grounded sharply to short, and Jack Spellman flipped to 2B to get the force to retire the side. 2nd – Terry Watts opened the 2nd with a groundout to 3B. Mike Mordecai hit one in virtually the same place, but Gary Coyle was unable to handle this one and Mike was safe at 1B. Bobby Hawthorne slapped a single to left to put runners on 1B and 2B. Gene Nelson bounced into a fielder’s choice as Mike advanced to 3B. Jack Kelly lined a single to center to drive in the 1st run of the ballgame. Morris Carter was retired to close out the inning.
Green– Paul Rubin grounded a single just past the outstretched glove of shortstop Ken Brown for a leadoff single. Jack Spellman laced a single to right center to move Paul to 3B. Tom Brownfield followed with a smash to right center. Paul scored easily but 3B coach Jack Adams made a questionable call sending Jack Spellman home from 3B and he was out by several steps for the 1st out. Mickey Poole flew out to center for the 2nd out. Tom Kelm lined a single up the middle, but William Powell was retired on a fielder’s choice to end the inning. 2nd– P Jack Kelly posted back-to-back strikeouts of Larry King and Robby Vickery to get tow quick outs. Jack Adams lined a single to left center but was stranded as Gary Coyle drove a deep fly to left that was caught by Bobby Hawthorne.
End of 2nd Score: Red 1 Green 1
3rd Inning Recap:
Red– Don Roets, Red’s lone mercenary, reached on a pop fly single to right to open the 3rd. Doc flew out to right center on a nice running catch by Tom Brownfield. Patrick bounced one back to the pitcher and Tom got the force at 2B for the 2nd out. Tom was unable to find the strike zone and walked John and Ken to load the bases. Terry lined a single to center to drive in the 2nd run of the game before Mike groundout to end the frame.
Green– Barry McRee singled through the 5/6 hole to open the 3rd. Paul flew out to left center for the 1st out. Jack S. smacked a single to center. Tom B. flew out to left center as Barry tagged up and beat the throw to 3B. Mickey lined a single to left and Barry scored despite getting a slow start waiting to see if the ball would be caught. Tom K. reached on an infield single before William bounced into a fielder’s choice to retire the side.
End of 3rd Score: Red 2 Green 2
Fourth Inning Recap:
Red- in this tightly contested pitcher’s duel, Red erupted for three runs to take control of this one. Bobby singled to shallow left to lead off the inning; Gene dropped in a Texas leaguer down the 1B line to keep things rolling. The suddenly hot hitting Jack Kelly grounded a single just inside the 1B bag to load the bases. Morris grounded to short and Jack fired to 3B to get the force, but Bobby beat Gary’s throw to the plate to score the 1st run. The bloop hit parade continued as Don popped one over 2nd to drive in the 2nd run. Doc ripped a single to right to drive in the 3rd run. Patrick, having a tough luck day at the plate, lined a wicked shot to left center but Jack S. made a great leaping catch for the 2nd out. John drove a ball to right, but William had him played perfectly and made the catch for the final out.
Green– down by three and needing to answer, P Jack K. held Green scoreless to keep Red’s lead at three runs. Larry singled down the 3B line to start the inning. Robby popped out to short for the 1st out. Jack Adams bounced into a fielder’s choice out at 2B ahead of Gary’s single to left. Barry fouled out to end the scoreless 4th.
End of 4th Score: Red 5 Green 2
Fifth Inning Recap:
Red- Ken led off the 5th with a solid single up the middle. He moved to 3B on Terry’s single to right center. Mike was retired for the 1st out. Ken scored the only run on Bobby’s fielder’s choice groundout to short. Gene was retired on a groundball to 1B to end the inning.
Green– finally showing a little life, struck back to two runs to narrow Red’s lead to two. Paul singled up the middle to get things going. Jack S. picked up his 3rd hit in as many ABs to get Paul to 2B. Tom B. grounded into a fielder’s choice for the 1st out. Mickey smacked an RBI single to put up the 1st run. Tom K. singled to load the bases. William hit a sinking liner down the left field line that looked like it might drop in for extra bases, but Bobby made a great catch for the out as the runner tagged up from 3B for the 2nd run. Larry picked up his 2nd hit of the day to reload the bases but Robby fouled out to end the threat.
End of 5th Score: Red 6 Green 4
Sixth “Open” Inning Recap:
Red-one of the secrets of success in senior softball is to score every inning and Red did their part as they were only held scoreless in the 1st inning. Jack Kelly remained perfect at the plate (3-3) with a leadoff single to start the open inning. Morris grounded into a fielder’s choice but more importantly put pinch runner Ken Brown on 1B. I may be wrong, but it sure seemed like Ken scored every single run for Red in this contest. Don lined out to right on another nice catch by William for the 2nd out. Doc reached on a single to move Ken to 3B and he scored on Patrick’s line single to left center. John hit another fly to right and William completed his fine defensive work for the day by making yet another running catch to retire the side.
Green-chasing three runs seemed like an insurmountable task given Green’s lack of offensive production up to this point in the game. Jack Adams opened the buffet with a groundout to short. Gary lined a single to left center to provide a little hope for the Greenies. Barry hit into a fielder’s choice for the 2nd out and Green was down to their final out. Paul beat Ken on two previous grounders to short but this time he went ot his left and his throw to 2B beat the runner from 1B to end the game.
Final Score: Red 7 Green 4
Game 2 9:00 a.m. Gray (4-4-0) vs. Blue (5-4-0)
First & Second Inning Recap:
Gray- quintessential led off man, Scott Wright, did his thing with a line single to right to kick this one off. P Tommy DeLeon uncharacteristically struggled with his control in the early going as he walked Mike Carroll. Peter Atkins lasered a single to center to drive in the 1st run. Tommy issued his 2nd walk to Gary Coyle to force in the 2nd run. Ray hit a humpback liner over 3B that I was able to get a glove on but not catch as it fell in for an RBI single. Lynn Simpson flew out and David Safely struck out and it looks like Tommy might wriggle his way out of this dilemma. However, that was not the case and Larry grounded a single past 3B to drive in to score Gary. Margarito Canava ripped a single through the 5/6 hole to drive in the 5th run. 2nd– Tommy settled down in the 2nd, getting Jack Adams on a grounder to 3B and striking out Adam Gordon. Scotty delivered on a two-out single to right. Mike C. followed with a clean single to left center. Scotty got a good jump on the hit and decided to go for the extra base. Patrick’s throw to 3B was low but I was able to short hop the ball and secure the catch for the final out.
Blue- down five and looking to rebound, Blue’s bats were silenced by P Ray Pilgrim in the first two frames. Tommy De Leon laced a single to right center to get things started. Raul and Don Roets followed with back-to-back singles with nobody out Donne Janac lined out to 3B for the 1st out. Henry Flores’ fielder’s choice groundout to short brought in the 1st run. Chris went down on strikes to retire the side. 2nd– Blue batters were unable to get the ball out of the infield and went down in order. Daniel Baladez ground out to short and Adam Gordon, playing in a new position at 2B, easily handled grounders from Alex Valles and Dave Berra to complete the scoreless inning.
End of 2nd Score: Gray 5 Blue 1
Third Inning Recap:
Gray- the first three batters all singled to produce the 1st run. Peter lashed a single to center and scooted around to 3B on Gary’s base hit. Ray hit a screaming line drive to left center that Donnie made a good stop on to prevent extra bases as Peter scored from 3B. Lynn bounced into a fielder’s choice out at 3B for the 1st out. David was set down on strikes for the 2nd out. Larry reached on a single to load the bases. Margarito hit a high pop up down the 3B line and I was able to spear it at the last second with a nice assist from Ken (you got it!) to end the inning.
Blue- continued to struggle at the plate with little help from the mercenaries (Ken Brown, Patrick Schmidt and Paul Rubin). Ken did come through with a leadoff single, but Patrick grounded out to 1B, and Paul was retired on a grounder to short. Tommy grounded out to 2B to end the inning. In the meantime, the prodigal son (Tim Coles) showed up at the ballpark and since he is a regular member of the Blue team, he was inserted in the lineup and yours truly left the field to continue in a full time sideline reporter role.
End of 3rd Score: Gray 6 Blue 1
Fourth Inning Recap:
Gray- continued to play add on with another run in the 4th. The Gray mercenaries (Jack Adams and Adm Gordon) opened the inning with back-to-back hits. Scott popped out to short and Mike fouled out for the 2nd out. Peter hit a fly ball to shallow center that easily dropped in for a run-scoring single. Gary was retired on a groundball to 2B to end the frame.
Blue- came out on fire in the 4th and put up five runs to make this a one-run ballgame. Raul lined a triple to left center to open the inning. Don followed with a long drive that gapped the right and right center fielders for a three-base hit to score Raul. Donnie lined a single down the left field line to score Don and Blue was off and running. Henry and Daniel singled to load the bases with one out. Alex lined out to 1B, and it looked like Ray was going to get out of the inning. However, he walked Ken to force in the 3rd run. Patrick smashed a double to left center to drive in two more runs and complete the five-run 4th inning.
End of 4th Score: Gray 7 Blue 6
Fifth Inning Recap:
Gray- the insertion of Tim Coles at 3B paid huge dividends in the 5th as Gray was unable to put up any more runs in the inning. Ray grounded sharply to 3B, and Tim made a nice backhand stop and strong throw to get the first out. Lynn and David followed with back-to-back singles. Larry lined a ball to 3B, and Tim made the catch inches above the ground for the 2nd out. The runner from 1B was off with the hit and Tim threw back to the base to complete the inning ending twin killing.
Blue- took their first lead in the game as they put up three runs in the inning. Tim, in his first at bat of the game, slapped a single through the 5/6 hole. Tommy laced a single to right as Tim lumbered into 3B. Raul took a low two-strike pitch and smoked a drive down the left field line for his 2nd triple of the game to drive in two more runs. Don reached on an infield single to bring in Raul with the 3rd run. Donnie hit into a fielder’s choice at 3B for the 1st out. Henry singled but Chris grounded to 3B for the 2nd out. Daniel popped out to 2B to end the inning with Blue holding a two-run advantage.
End of 5th Score: Blue 9 Gray 7
Sixth “Open” Inning Recap:
Gray– chasing two, Gray showed their champion’s mettle with a five-run outburst to regain the lead. Jack Adams groundout to short to open the frame. Adam walked as Tommy was trying to stretch the twelve-foot height limit and home umpire Tom Kelm wasn’t buying it. Scott crushed a ball to left center for an RBI triple to bring Gray within a run of evening things up. Mike rapped a single to left center to tie the score. Peter picked up his 4th hit of the day with a single. Gary grounded a ball down the 3B line that just got past Tim for a two-run double aided by Peter’s blinding speed rounding the bases. Ray followed with a drive over Margarito’s head in left for a triple to drive in Gary. Lynn groundout to 3B and David popped out to 2B, leaving Ray stranded at 3B but Gray up by a 12-9 margin.
Blue– chasing three, Blue came up just short in this back-and-forth affair. Alex led off the buffet with a single to left center. Dave drew a walk and things were looking up for the men in Blue. Ken hit a sharp grounder to 1B, and Mike got a glove on as the ball caromed toward 2B. Adam somehow got to the ball and fired to 2B to get the force and the 1st out. Huge play! Patrick followed with a more routine grounder to 2B as Adam was able to get the lead runner for the 2nd out. Tim stepped up with a chance to tie it. He launched a ball to the deepest part of center field, but the wind kept it from leaving the yard. The ball fell in for an RBI double and Tim advanced to 3B on the overthrow to the base. Tommy lined the first pitch to right center, but the ball held up long enough for Jack Adams to squeeze it for the final out. Great game!
Final Score: Gray 12 Blue 11
Current Session Standings:
|
|
ASSL C league 2026 3rd Session Standings |
|||||||
|
|
Win |
Loss |
Ties |
Win % |
Scored |
Given up |
Diff. |
Games Behind |
|
Red |
5 |
4 |
0 |
0.556 |
76 |
72 |
4 |
– |
|
Gray |
5 |
4 |
0 |
0.556 |
76 |
93 |
-17 |
– |
|
Orange |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0.500 |
74 |
62 |
12 |
0.50 |
|
Blue |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0.500 |
114 |
102 |
12 |
0.50 |
|
Green |
3 |
5 |
0 |
0.375 |
87 |
98 |
-11 |
1.50 |
Another week, another team or teams atop the standings. Maybe this competitive balance thing has gone a little too far. Every team, except for Green, is at or above .500 for the session. There are still eleven play dates in the session so anything can and probably will happen!
Season-to-date Standings:
|
|
ASSL C league 2026 Season to-date Standings |
|||||||
|
|
Win |
Loss |
Ties |
Win % |
Scored |
Given up |
Diff. |
Games Behind |
|
Gray |
20 |
11 |
1 |
0.625 |
356 |
316 |
57 |
– |
|
Green |
15 |
11 |
0 |
0.577 |
327 |
270 |
68 |
2.50 |
|
Orange |
13 |
13 |
1 |
0.481 |
280 |
249 |
19 |
4.50 |
|
Blue |
12 |
16 |
0 |
0.429 |
248 |
322 |
-86 |
6.50 |
|
Red |
9 |
18 |
0 |
0.333 |
244 |
298 |
-58 |
10.00 |
Next Games: Thursday July 30, 2026
Game 1 8:00 a.m. Orange (4-4-0) vs. Blue (5-5-0)
Only two games separate these teams in the season long standings. Can Orange continue to hold off Blue for 3rd place. Orange is only two games behind Green so can they get on a run and overtake the Green team?
Gray has umpiring duties for this one.
Game 2 9:00 a.m. Gray (5-4-0) vs. Green (3-5-0)
In this topsy turvy session, an upset by Green could wreak havoc on the standings or Gray could push ahead of the idle Red team for sole possession of first place with a win over the shaky Greenies.
Orange will be taking on the umpire responsibilities in this game.
Red will have a bye on Thursday so there players will have priority in the draw.