Game Day Gazette
August 28, 2025
Sprinkler issues on K2 forced us back to our old stomping grounds on K2 for the day. The outfield grass was lush (pretty to look at but not so fun if you are in the outfield waiting for the ball to finally roll to you!) but the infield was a little rocky. All in all, nice to be back home but not sure for how long…
Game 1 8:00 a.m. Senators (0-3-1) vs. Pioneers (1-1-2)
First & Second Inning Recap:
Senators- continue to have attendance issues as only five of the Senators regular players were able to make today’s game. Both managers agreed to play twelve players since there were so many guys on hand for this early morning tilt. As a result, the Senators drew seven (7) players this morning from the bucket including: Ken Brown, Patrick Schmidt, Gary Coyle, Barry McRee, Tommy DeLeon, Lucky Hoffman and Morris Carter. Despite the influx of talent, the Senators were held scoreless in the 1st two frames by Pioneer’s ace hurler, Sal Lopez. Denny Malloy led off the game with a solid single to right. Henry Flores fouled out and Terry Watts hit into a fielder’s choice for the 2nd out. Raul DeLeon ripped a single up the middle but was forced out at 2B on Roger Geras’ grounder to short. 2nd– Ken Brown opened the 2nd with a line single to right. Patrick Schmidt lined out to short for the 1st out. Gary Coyle and Barry McRee hit into fielder’s choice groundouts to retire the side.
Pioneers- had to draw three players to complete their team for this game (Paul Rubin, Jim Foelker and Donnie Janac). The draw to twelve players was done in part because Mike Carroll inadvertently locked his keys in car during the transition from K2 to K3 and his status for the game was uncertain while he waited for the Pop a lock guys. Jack Adams flew out to left to lead things off for the Pioneers. Sal Lopez and Mickey Poole followed with back-to-back singles. Scott Wright, back after taking a few games off to rehab an ankle injury, drove a ball to deep right center for a two-run triple. Tim Herer brought his pinch runner with a sacrifice fly to CF. 2nd- Bubba Barnett opened the 2nd with a single but was forced out at 2B on Chris Hurst’ grounder to short. Paul Rubin doubled to move Chris to 3B. Jim Foelker grounded to short and beat the throw to 1B for a single. On the play, I ventured off the base trying to see of Chris was going to try to advance. He did not (right move) but I strayed too far off the bag and Tommy’s throw to 2B beat me to the base for the 2nd out. Donnie Janac single scored Chris for the 1st run. Jack lined a double to left to score both Jim and Donnie. Sal grounded a single through the 5/6 hole to bring in Jack. Mickey finished off the inning with a ringing double to left center to drive in the 5th run.
End of 2nd Score: Pioneers 8 Senators 0
Third Inning Recap:
Senators- Tommy DeLeon led off the 3rd with a single to left. Lucky Hoffman went down looking for the 1st out. Morris Carter reached on an infield single down the 3B line. Denny popped out to short for the 2nd out. Henry ripped a single up the middle to drive in the Senators 1st run. Terry ended the inning by grounding into a fielder’s choice out at 2B.
Pioneers- extended their already sizable lead with another five-run inning in the 3rd. Scott, Tim and Larry all reached on singles to quickly load the bases. Bubba singled in the 1st run. Chris drew a walk to force in the 2nd run. Paul’s single to right brought in run #3. Jim fouled out and Donnie popped out to short for two quick outs. Jack came through with some two-out magic as he lined a double down the right field line to drive in two more runs and cap off the Pioneer’s 2nd five-run inning of the game.
End of 3rd Score: Pioneers 13 Senators 1
Fourth Inning Recap:
Senators– just when it looked like we were headed to a flip flop, the rag tag Senators started to show some life. Raul led off the 4th with a drive to deep left center for a double. Roger grounded to 3B, and Tim appeared to make a nice, albeit low throw to 1B to get the out. Larry could not make the catch and by the time he retrieved the ball, the pinch runner was standing on 3B. Raul scored the 1st run on the play. Ken popped out to 2B on a nice over the shoulder catch by Scott for the 1st out. Patrick sliced a double to right center to drive in the 2nd run. Gary singled to move Patrick to 3B, and he scored the Senators’ 3rd run on Tommy’s clean single to left.
Pioneers- Sal grounded out to 3B and Mickey popped out to 2B to start the inning. Scott continued to rake at the plate as his drive to right skipped past the outfielders and allowed his pinch runner to circle the bases for an inside the park home run.
End of 4th Score: Pioneers 14 Senators 4
Fifth Inning Recap:
Senators– continued to scrap and fight as they put up four runs to stay in this one. Morris led off with another one of his patented bunt swings and Ken easily beat the throw from 3B to reach. Denny, Henry and Terry followed with singles to bring in the 1st run. Raul smacked a base hit up the middle to drive in two more runs. After Roger grounded into a double play, Ken’s single brought in Raul with the 4th run of the inning.
Pioneers- not sure if it was Tommy’s pitching or getting comfortable with their big lead but the Pioneers appeared to lose their mojo in the late innings in this contest. Larry popped a single over short to open the frame. Bubba grounded into a fielder’s choice for the first out. Chris went down swinging, but Paul singled to keep the inning alive. However, Jim popped out to the pitcher to end the scoreless 5th for the Pioneers.
End of 5th Score: Pioneers 14 Senators 8
Sixth “Open” Inning Recap:
Senators- the scrappy Orangemen continued to fight as they tried to overcome a six-run deficit in the buffet. Barry fouled out to start the inning. Tommy picked up his 3rd hit in as many at-bats to provide a little hope. Lucky ground into a force at 2B and things looked grim for the Senators. Morris popped a ball to deep short, and it fell for a hit as the Pioneers were deploying the “bunt prevent” defense on the play. The top of the order came up and responded with four straight hits (Denny, Henry, Terry and Raul) to put up four runs and close the gap to two runs. Alas, it was not meant to be as Roger bounced one back to Sal for the final out as the Senators remained winless for the session.
Final Score: Pioneers 14 Senators 12
Game 2 9:00 a.m. Braves (2-2-0) vs. Sultans (3-0-1)
First & Second Inning Recap:
Braves-the marquee matchup of the day pitted the undefeated Sultans vs. the season long leading Braves. The Braves came out smoking as if to prove they still are the best team in the league. The Braves showed the speed at the top of their lineup as the 1st three batters (Doc Hobar, Bobby Miller and Paul Rubin) all reached on infield single to score the 1st run. Paul’s groundball to 2B took a bad hop and caromed off Jeff Broussard’s forearm which allowed Doc to score from 2B. Jeff had to briefly leave the game to get bandaged up (Kudos to Chris Hurst for rendering aid to Jeff as he had done in Monday’s game for Don Roets). Lynn Simpson grounded into a force at 2B as Bobby was able to score from 3B on the play. Dave Berra and Jim Foelker ripped back-to-back RBI singles as the lead grew to four runs. After two outs, Ken Brown knocked in the final run with a sharp single to right field, 2nd– I was getting some “help” with the scorebook in the 2nd so I’m not sure I got the full picture. Patrick Schmidt led off the inning with a groundout to 2B. Barry McRee singled. Doc followed with a hit and both runners scored on Bobby’s double. Paul dropped in a pop fly single over 3B to score Bobby with the 3rd run. Lynn grounded into a fielder’s choice for the 2nd out. It would appear that hits by Dave and Jim brought Lynn around to score and Tom made the final out to end the inning but it’s anyone’s guess what happened!
Sultans-welcomed slugger Peter Atkins back to their formidable lineup for today’s game. Donnie Janac singled to lead things off. Gary Coyle grounded out to 2B for the 1st out. Peter Atkinns singled up the middle to move Gary to 3B. Don Roets lined a single to right to score Gary with the 1st run. Ray Pilgrim hit a sacrifice fly to deep left center with Peter tagging and moving to 3B. Something happened, and the ball got loose in the infield, allowing Peter to score the 2nd run. 2nd– Jeff Broussard returned to the lineup and promptly laced a single to left center to start the 2nd. Phil Stanch hit into a fielder’s choice for the 1st out. Controversy ensued as to the actual number of outs and when all the dust settled, all parties agreed that it was just one out. Adam Gordon lined a ball to 3B and Phil (maybe thinking that there were two outs) took off to 2B without a care in the world. Ken made the throw to 1B to complete the inning ending double play.
End of 2nd Score: Braves 9 Sultans 2
Third Inning Recap:
Braves– Brian led off the 2nd with a clean single past the shortstop. Ken and Patrick followed with back-to-back singles to score the 1st run of the inning. Barry grounded out to short, and Ken came around to score on the play as the throw to home got away from Lucky. In all the confusion, Patrick attempted to score from 1B but with help from his vocal teammates (touch the base!), Lucky recovered and managed to touch the plate just ahead of Patrick for the 2nd out. Doc singled but Raul got Bobby to fly out to right to end the threat.
Sultans- continued to struggle against Tom Kelm’s pitching. Lucky Hoffman ground out to short to open the 3rd inning. Raul DeLeon, Sultan’s only mercenary for the day, walked but was erased as Bobby turned a 6U 6-3 double play on Donnie’s groundball up the middle.
End of 3rd Score: Braves 11 Sultans 2
Fourth Inning Recap:
Braves- Paul grounded out to 2B to lead off the 4th. Lynn smacked a double to left center and scored on Dave’s line single to center. Jim and Tom followed with singles to bring in the 2nd run. Brian ground into a fielder’s choice out at 3B. Ken singled to load the bases and Patrick delivered with a two-run single to right to give the Braves a four-run inning.
Sultans- down by thirteen runs, the Sultans showed why they are atop the standings for this session as they pounded out six hits to score five runs and make a game of this one. Gary led off with a single and moved to 3B on Peter’s smash over Jim’s head on left field. As an eyewitness to this one, that ball reached the fence in a hurry! Don drove in both runners with a single to right center. Ray looped a ball to CF that fell in for a base hit. Chris Villareal laced a single to right to score Don with the Sultan’ s 3rd run. Jeff stayed hot at the plate with a ground single to left to drive in the 4th run. Phil bounced out for the 1st out of the frame but Adam drew a bases loaded walk to force in the 5th and final run of the frame.
End of 4th Score: Braves 15 Sultans 7
Fifth “Open” Inning Recap:
Braves- Doc grounded to 3B to open the inning. Bobby lined a double down the left field line. Paul followed with a scorching line drive up the middle for a run-scoring triple. Lynn walked and Dave popped a ball in the infield that fell in for a base hit as Paul scored from 3B. With a ten-run lead, the teams flipped flopped at this point.
Pioneers-down by ten but with some momentum on their side, the Sultans did not go down without a fight. Lucky went down looking to open the frame. Raul and Donnie followed with singles, but Tom got Gary to hit into a fielder’s choice for the 2nd out. Peter completed his triumphant return to the lineup with his 3rd hit in as many at bats as his single brought in two more runs. Don and Ray followed with back-to-back RBI singles to close the lead to six. Tom was able to get Chris on a groundball to 2B to end the game and the Sultan’s dream of an unbeaten session!
Final Score: Braves 17 Sultans 11
Session Four Standings:
|
|
ASSL C league 2025 4th Session |
|||||||
|
|
Win |
Loss |
Ties |
Win % |
Scored |
Given up |
Diff. |
Games Behind |
|
Sultans |
3 |
1 |
1 |
0.700 |
71 |
62 |
9 |
– |
|
Braves |
3 |
2 |
0 |
0.600 |
57 |
53 |
4 |
0.50 |
|
Keystones |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0.500 |
50 |
43 |
7 |
1.00 |
|
Pioneers |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0.500 |
24 |
31 |
-7 |
1.00 |
|
Senators |
0 |
3 |
1 |
0.125 |
55 |
68 |
-13 |
2.50 |
Things tightened up with the Sultans loss to the Braves. Three teams within a game of the lead and the Senators struggling to find their first win of the session. Where are you, Tim Coles?
Full Session Standings:
|
|
ASSL C league 2025 Season To-date Standings |
|||||||
|
|
Win |
Loss |
Ties |
Win % |
Scored |
Given up |
Diff. |
Games Behind |
|
Braves |
26 |
12 |
0 |
0.684 |
525 |
404 |
121 |
– |
|
Keystones |
17 |
19 |
0 |
0.472 |
432 |
430 |
2 |
8.00 |
|
Pioneers |
16 |
19 |
2 |
0.459 |
370 |
411 |
-41 |
8.50 |
|
Sultans |
16 |
20 |
1 |
0.446 |
422 |
461 |
-39 |
9.00 |
|
Senators |
15 |
20 |
1 |
0.431 |
431 |
474 |
-43 |
9.50 |
NO GAMES SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY SEPTEMBER 1ST FOR THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
News & Notes:
- Your editor and writer in chief of this publication will be heading out of the country for a couple of weeks to check out life on the other side of the pond (London and Italy) and will miss the games from September 4th through September 16th. There will be no Game Day Gazettes published on these dates, but I will hopefully update the standings using Johnny Neville’s data upon my return.
- The early returns on the “Informal” poll regarding our year-end celebration seems to be leading to continued participation with the B league in the Lupe Tortilla annual luncheon scheduled for October 27th. Still time to let your voice be heard. My biggest question now is how many players would attend if we held an offsite event on Nov. 8th ? Please share your response with any of our C league board members.
- Lynn Simpson, great guy and a new player to the league this season, asked me to share the following with you regarding his son’s need for new or used baseball equipment for a new league they are starting down in Alief, Texas. Please look at the letter below as it also contains some heart-felt comments regarding what senior softball means to all of us.
Hi Paul,
Below is the letter my son Garrett Simpson drafted concerning his baseball team’s needs.
To my father’s teammates and opponents—
First, thank you. Your community has given my dad a space to be active and engaged. For most of my friends whose parents are pushing 70, the worry is that retirement is a phase where loved ones sink into a couch for hours, wasting precious moments on daytime tv. But, because my dad and I chat often about your morning match ups, which he recounts with Sports-Center-Top-10 vigor, I don’t fret over such things. His passion for your league reminds me of when my brother and I were young; because of his love for his sons and the game itself, he spent countless hours in the dugout or stands cheering and coaching every single game we ever played.
Now, sitting on the other side of the chain-link fence, watching Dad step between the white lines of our favorite game, I feel pride knowing he is diving into an activity that is communal and fun. Again, thank you for giving this to my father.
In my current position as an Albright Middle School baseball coach, I pass down my family’s love of the game to my students. Which brings me to the purpose of this letter–we need your help with baseball equipment. Albright Middle School is a Title One school that sits on the west side of Alief, just outside of Houston. Alief is a diverse community with cultures from around the world. Being from places where baseball is not prominent, many students do not have gloves, bats, or any other baseball equipment. We have a small collection of these items of varying qualities, but as we garner interest in the program, our needs are growing.
That’s where you come in. If you have any baseball equipment that you no longer use, we will gladly accept your hand-me-downs. Items may include, but are not limited to:
· gloves
· bats
· balls
· catching gear
· tees
· soft toss nets
· or anything else that could be helpful to a baseball team in need
Thank you,
Garrett “Gusty” Simpson
gustysimpson@gmail.com
Please reach out to Lynn directly with any contributions or donations that you are able to make.
Email Simpson.lynn@icloud.com
Phone: 512-520-6293
Thanks, and have a great September!
Paul