Game Day Gazette
August 6, 2026
Crazy day at the ballpark! With a significant number of guys off to Waxahachie for a tournament, we were severely short-handed back at Krieg Field. We delayed the draw as long as we could to catch any stragglers but by game time, we had seven mercenaries in the lineup, a designated catcher/home plate umpire (Morris Carter) and no base umpire. Ray Pilgrim showed up later and handled the base umpire duties. Morris tired of the double duty and Bruce Barnett stepped in a catcher for both teams starting in the bottom of the 2nd. Kudos to both Morris and Bruce as he would not have been able to play this one without their contributions. In the confusion, not sure what happened with the game clock but we played six full innings as the teams combined for 33 runs. Bad news, it put us (and B division) thirty minutes behind due to the length of this game.
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Game 1 : Orange (6-4-0) vs. Blue (5-6-0) 8:00 a.m. 8/6/26 |
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1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
6th |
Total |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange |
5 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Blue |
0 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
2 |
14 |
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Starting pitchers- Blue- Tim Coles; Orange- Jerry Mylius |
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Mercenaries- Orange- Paul Rubin, Lynn Simpson and Mickey Poole |
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Blue- Scott Wright, Jack Spellman, Bobby Hawthorne and Larry King |
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Designated catcher for both teams- Morris Carter (Inning 1-2); Bruce Barnett (rest of game) |
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First & Second Inning Recap:
Orange- the hottest team in the league did not disappoint as they came out slugging and put up eight runs in the first two innings. Adam Gordon stroked a single through the 5/6 hole to get things started/ Barry McRee followed with a clean single to left center. Jack Adams brought both runners in with a booming double to left center. Jim Foelker smacked a single to left center to drive in Jack with run #3. Jerry Mylius lined a single to right center to keep the train moving. Rick Parker grounded to 3B, and Jim was thrown out a t home on a nice throw from Jack Spellman to Morris Carter (it’s not truly a game until Jim gets thrown out on the base paths!). Luther singled up the middle to score Jerry for the 4th run. Paul Rubin lofted a sacrifice fly to medium deep left center to bring in the 5th run. 2nd – P Tim Coles (possibly his debut on the mound for the 2026 season (?) caught Lynn Simpson looking for the 1st out. Mickey Poole bounced back to Tim and there were quickly two men away. Adam kicked off the two-out rally with an infield single. Barry drilled a single to center, and Jack followed with a double to left to plate the first run. Jim blasted a deep flyball to left center to easily score both runners. Not sure if Jim got any help from his 3B coach, but he decided to go for the inside the park home run but was throw out at the plate for the final out.
Blue– P Jerry Mylius, making his 2026 debut on the mound, looked unhittable in the first two frames. Mike Hill flew out to right center on a nice running catch by Jim for the first out. Daniel Baladez doubled to right field for Blue’s first base hit. Tim Coles hit a deep flyball to left but Barry McRee had him played perfectly and made the catch for the 2nd out. Dave Berra flew out to shallow center for the final out. 2nd– Lucky ground out to short to open the 2nd inning. Johnny Neville reached on an infield single but was erased on a fielder’s choice groundout to short off the bat of Don Roets. Scott Wright popped out to short to retire the side.
End of 2nd Score: Orange 8 Blue 0
3rd Inning Recap:
Orange– P Tim Coles did a nice job of keeping the game from getting out of control as he held the powerful Orange lineup without a run in the 3rd. Jerry led off the inning with a single to right but was erased on Rick’s fielder’s choice grounder to 3B. Luther followed with a flyball to shallow center and Don made a great shoestring catch for the out. Not sure if Rick’s pinch running thought there were already two outs but he was easily doubled off 1B to end the inning.
Blue– began clawing their way back into this one with a three-run inning in the 3rd. Jack Spellman led off with a well-placed drive to right center for a triple. He scored on Bobby’s single past the third baseman. Larry reached on an infield single to get to the top of the lineup. Mike Hill flew out to right center for the 1st out. Daniel and Tim came through with back-to-back RBI singles. Dave bounced into a fielder’s choice and Lucky went down swinging to end the frame.
End of 3rd Score: Orange 8 Blue 3
Fourth Inning Recap:
Orange- the mercenaries came through in the 4th as Paul doubled and Lynn tripled to produce the 1st run. Mickey was retired on a grounder to short as Lynn held at 3B. He scored on Adam’s line single to center. Barry lined out to short for the 2nd out. Jack’s single moved Adam to 3B but his attempt to advance to 2B on the throw was thwarted as Jack Spellman’s throw to 2B beat him for the final out of the frame.
Blue– continued to chip away at the lead putting up a four-spot in the 4th. The first five batters all reached base as singles by Johnny, Don, Scott and Jack produced the first two runs in the inning. Bobby then stepped up and ripped a two-run single down the left field line. Larry popped up to 3B and in perhaps yet another senior moment, Bobby took off for 2B and was easily doubled off 1B. Mike was retired to close out the frame.
End of 4th Score: Orange 10 Blue 7
Fifth Inning Recap:
Orange- extended their lead back to six runs as Orange tallied three more runs in the 5th. Jim smacked an opposite field triple to open the inning. Jerry bounced one back to the pitcher for the 1st out. Rick and Luther banged out back-to-back singles to plate the first run. Paul lined a double to right center to drive in the 2nd run. Lynn walked and Mickey singled in the 3rd run. Adam popped out to 3B, and Barry flew out to center to end the threat,
Blue– refused to go away and put up five more runs to cut Orange’s lead to a single run. Remember all this coming after Blue found itself in an eight-run deficit after the first two innings. The first four batters reached to get things rolling. Daniel singled to right and Tim doubled to left to put runners on 2B and 3B. Dave lined a base hit to center to drive in a run. Lucky smacked a hard single to left center to drive in the 2nd run. Johnny bounced into a fielder’s choice for the 1st out. Jerry momentarily lost his command and walked Don and Scott to force in the 3rd run. Jack S. wrapped up the five-run frame with a two-run single to right.
End of 5th Score: Orange 13 Blue 12
Sixth “Open” Inning Recap:
Orange-normally, I have pretty good recall about what is going on but having to cover for Tom Kelm as the interim skipper for the Green team meant I had to take part on the draw while Orange was having their final at bat. As a result, the only thing I know for sure is Orange scored six runs and I had a single. I am reaching out to the Orange team to see if they can fill in some of the blanks if not for this reporting at least for the season long stats.
Blue-chasing six runs, Blue was able to counter with a couple but ultimately came up short in this contest. Again, details a little sketchy but I believe Bobby led off the inning with a single but was forced out at 2B on Larry’s fielder’s choice hit to short. Mike H. singled but Daniel was retired for the 2nd out. Tim smacked an RBI double to keep the hope alive, and Dave’s single brought Blue within five runs. However, that was all that they could muster and Orange remained atop the standings for the 2nd game day in a row!
Final Score: Orange 19 Blue 14
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Game2: Red (5-5-0) vs. Green (4-5-1) 9:00 a.m. 8/06/26 |
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1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
6th |
Total |
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|
|
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|
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Red |
0 |
5 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
X |
12 |
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|
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|
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|
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Green |
1 |
5 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
X |
13 |
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Starting pitchers- Gren- Luis Sanchez; Red- Sal Lopez |
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Mercenaries- Red- Scott Wright, Don Roets, Barry McRee, Daniel Baladez, Lucky Hoffman |
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and Rick Parker; Green- Tim Coles, Jack Adams, Jim Foelker and Ray Pilgrim |
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First & Second Inning Recap:
Red- the last time these teams met, Green, white-washed Red by a final score of 14-0, it only took two innings to see this was going to be a different kind of ball game. P Luis Sanchez blanked Red in the 1st holding them to a single hit. Doc Hobar flew out to center to start the game. Mike Mordecai popped out to short for the 2nd out. Bobby Hawthorne singled but was forced out at 2B on Sal’s grounder to 3B. 2nd– the first five batters reached base as Red broke out of their scoring drought with a five-spot in the 2nd. Morris Carter led off with an infield single. Scott Wright and Don Roets followed with back-to-back singles to drive in the 1st run. Barry McRee laced an RBI single to left center to bring in the 2nd run. Daniel’s pop fly single to right produced a third run. Lucky Hoffman was called out on strikes for the 1st out on a pitch that was just of the edge of the plate. Rick Parker laced an RBI single to center and Doc finished off the five-run frame with a base-hit to right.
Green- got off to an inauspicious start as leadoff hitter, Paul Rubin, popped out to short and Jack Spellman grounded out to 2B. Luis Sanchez ripped a double down the right field line and scored on Mickey Poole’s single to center to plate the 1st run. Robby Vickery fouled out to retire the side. 2nd– following a similar pattern as their foes, Green bounced back with a five-run 2nd inning. Larry King and William Powell flew out to Gold Glove left fielder Daniel Baladez for two quick outs in the 2nd. Tim Coles sparked a two-out rally with a hard hit double to left. Jack Adams single to center score Tim with Green’s 2nd run. Jim Foelker mashed a double to left center to put runners on 2B and 3B. Ray Pilgrims singled through the 5/6 hole to bring in both runners. Paul followed with a drive to deep left center that evaded Bobby Hawthorne allowing Paul to circle the bases for a two-run homer and complete Green’s five run inning.
End of 2nd Score: Green 6 Red 5
Third Inning Recap:
Red- continue to rake at the plate as Red sent eight batters to the plate on their way to another five-run inning. Mike Mordecai led off with an infield single to 3B. Bobby and Sal followed with back-to-back singles to load the baes. Morris reached on an infield single bringing in the runner from 3B. Scott and Don laced back-to-back RBI singles to put up two more runs. Barry’s sharp single to left center drove in the 4th run and Daniel looped a single to right to drive in the 5th run.
Green- with the top of the lineup due up, Green was looking to get back in this one but failed to score in the frame. Jack led off with a line single to right. Luis singled through the n5/6 hole to keep things moving. Mickey bounced into a rally killing 6-4-3 double play and Robby lined out to 2B to retire the side.
End of 3rd Score: Red 10 Green 6
Fourth Inning Recap:
Red- picked up two more runs with another two-out rally in the 4th. Lucky singled to start the ining but was forced out at 2B on Rick’s grounder to short. Doc singled but he was erased on Mike’s grounder to 2B. Bobby came up with a big two-out single to left to drive in the 1st run. Sal did likewise and got Mike across the plate with Red’s 2nd run. Morris went down swinging to retire the side.
Green- down by six, Green managed to out up four runs to close the gap heading into the buffet.. Larry got the inning started with a ground single past 3B. William stroked a single to left and Green was off and going. Tim smoked a double to deep center to drive in the 1st run. Jack and Jim followed with back-to-back RBI singles to put Green within three runs. Ray bounced into a 6-4-3 double play and things looked bleak for the Greenies. Paul grounded as ingle past Scott to bring in the runner from 3B for the 4th run. Jack drew a walk but Luis bounced back to the pitcher to close out the inning.
End of 4th Score: Red 12 Gray 10
Fifth “Open” Inning Recap:
Red– looking to add to their slim two-run lead, Red was stymied by P Luis Sanchez and failed to score in the buffet. Scott singled and Don drew a walk and things looked promising for the big Red machine. Luis got Barry to fly out to center for the first out. He retired Daniel for the 2nd out. Lucky connected on a pitch, but the line drive went to center where Paul made the catch to end the inning.
Green– chasing two, Green quickly put themselves in a position to take this one. Mickey led off with a clean single to left. Robby reached on a looper to right. William ‘s single to left drove in the first run. Tim doubled to right center to tie the ballgame before Jack Adams drove a walk-off single to left to secure the come-from behind victory for Green!
Final Score: Green 13 Red 12
Current Session Standings:
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ASSL C league 2026 3rd Session Standings |
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Win |
Loss |
Ties |
Win % |
Scored |
Given up |
Diff. |
Games Behind |
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Orange |
7 |
4 |
0 |
0.636 |
125 |
105 |
20 |
– |
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Green |
5 |
5 |
1 |
0.455 |
130 |
126 |
4 |
1.50 |
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Gray |
5 |
5 |
1 |
0.455 |
110 |
128 |
-18 |
1.50 |
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Red |
5 |
6 |
0 |
0.455 |
88 |
99 |
-11 |
2.00 |
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Blue |
5 |
7 |
0 |
0.417 |
139 |
134 |
5 |
2.50 |
Season-to-date Standings:
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ASSL C league 2026 Season to-date Standings |
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Win |
Loss |
Ties |
Win % |
Scored |
Given up |
Diff. |
Games Behind |
|
Gray |
20 |
12 |
2 |
0.588 |
390 |
351 |
57 |
– |
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Green |
17 |
11 |
1 |
0.586 |
370 |
298 |
68 |
1.00 |
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Orange |
16 |
13 |
1 |
0.533 |
331 |
292 |
19 |
2.50 |
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Blue |
12 |
18 |
0 |
0.400 |
273 |
354 |
-86 |
7.00 |
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Red |
9 |
20 |
0 |
0.310 |
256 |
325 |
-58 |
9.50 |
With Gray on a bye, they saw both other teams in the race gain a half game on them with their wins on Thursday.
Next Games: Monday August 10, 2026
Game 1 8:00 a.m. Gray (5-5-1) vs. Red (5-6-0)
With the return of our tournament warriors, can Red right the ship and take down the league leader? Will the rest from Thursday’s bye give Gray the renewed energy to fight off Green and Orange and maintain their lead?
Orange has umpiring duties for this one.
Game 2 9:00 a.m. Orange (7-4-0) vs. Blue (5-7-0)
Session leader vs. last place team, sounds like an easy win for Orange but in this league anything can happen. My money is on Blue to spring an upset but then what do I know! All will be revealed on Monday!
Gray will be taking on the umpire responsibilities in this game.
Green will have a bye on Monday so there players will have priority in the draw.