Game Day Gazette
September 17, 2026
Great day to witness the spectacle of C division senior league softball. Both games ended in dramatic fashion with the home teams coming from behind and walking off victories. Thanks to PARD for getting the distances between bases adjusted back to 65 ft. and providing clear delineation of the 180 ft. line in the outfield. I did not get to play today but the condition of the infield looked markedly better than what we had to deal with on Monday. A work order has been submitted to address the lack of lighting in the Men’s restroom and running water should be available making our new home that much better!
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Game 1: Gray (4-4-0) vs. Blue (2-7-0) 8:00 a.m. 9/17/26 |
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1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
6th |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gray |
0 |
2 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
X |
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Blue |
5 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
X |
16 |
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Starting pitchers- Blue-Tommy DeLeon; Gray- Ray Pilgrim |
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Mercenaries: Blue- Ken Brown, Patrick Schmidt and Tom Kelm |
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Gray- Jack Adams, Bobby Hawthorne, Mickey Poole and Terry Thompson |
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Home Plate Umpire- Bruce Barnett and Greg Tolander; Greg Tolander and Adam Gordon |
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First & Second Inning Recap:
Gray- P Tommy DeLeon was particularly nasty in the 1st as Gray could not get the ball out of the infield. Scott Wright led off with a sharply hit grounder to 1B that was handled for an unassisted put out and the 1st out. Mike Carroll reached on a slow roller to 3B. Gary Coyle hit one off the end of the bat that dribbled past the pitcher’s mound for an infield single. Ray Pilgrim hit a sizzler up the middle that bounced off Tommy, but he recovered in time to get Ray at 1B for the 2nd out. Louis Caputo bounced out to short to retire the side. 2nd – things started much better in the 2nd as Jeff Broussard, sporting a shiny new bat, laced a double to left center to lead things off. His courtesy runner scored on Lynn Simpson’s line single to left center to put Gray on the board. Jack Adams bounced one back to Tommy and he went to 2B to get the force for the 1st out. Bobby Hawthorne followed with a fielder’s choice grounder to 3B for the 2nd out. Mickey Poole looped a flyball near the right field line to move Bobby to 3B. He scored on Terry Thompson’s single through the 5/6 hole before Scotty flew out to Dave Berra in right to close out the frame.
Blue– still feeling the sting from Monday’s disappointing loss to Red, the men in Blue came out on fire, putting up eight out of a possible ten runs in the initial two frames. Tommy DeLeon and Raul DeLeon (no they aren’t brothers!) led the attack with back-to-back line singles to center. Don Roets bounced one back to Ray and he was able to get the force at 2B for the first out. Donnie Janac drew a walk to load the bases. Henry Flores drove in the first two runs with a ringing single down the left field line. Dave Berra singled to load the bases for the 2nd time in the inning. Daniel Baladez grounded to 1B (3U) but the throw to 2B to try and complete the double play went awry allowing two runners to cross the plate. Lucky Hoffman continue to impress at the plate as he ripped a single to left to bring in the 5th run. 2nd– Johnny Neville took a called 3rd strike to open the 2nd inning. Ken Brown walked and moved to 3B on Patrick Schmidt’s double to left center. Tom Kelm lifted a flyball to medium CF to bring in Ken with the sacrifice fly. Tommy slapped an RBI single to right to bring in the 2nd run. Raul singled and Don walked to fill up the bases. Donnie drilled a single up the middle to drive in Tommy’s courtesy runner. Raul attempted to score from 2B on the play but was thrown out at the plate (8-6-2) to end the inning.
End of 2nd Score: Blue 8 Gray 2
3rd Inning Recap:
Gray- put themselves right back into this one with a five-run outburst. Mike and Gary provided back-to-back singles to get things rolling. Ray hit the instant replay button and bounced one back to Tommy for the 2nd time in the game. Louis dropped a flyball to shallow left center to bring in both baserunners. Jeff and Lynn cracked back-to-back singles to load the bases with one out. Jack Adams popped out to short on a nice play by Ken for the 2nd out. Bobby grounded to 3B, but Scott was off with the hit and was likely going to beat Raul to the bag. Raul pivoted and threw to 2B, but his throw was late, and everyone was safe as Louis scored on the play. Mickey ripped one to right center for a two-run single to complete Gray’s five-run inning.
Blue– with their lead cut to one, Blue was unable to generate any offense in the 3rd. Henry led off with a walk and moved to 2B on Dave’s single. Daniel grounded to short and Scott completed a 6U 6-3 double play to cool the rally. Lucky worked a full count but went down swinging as Bruce called the final pitch illegal as the inning ended.
End of 3rd Score: Blue 8 Gray 7
Fourth Inning Recap:
Gray– extended their lead to four runs with another five-run explosion in the 4th. Terry opened the frame with a walk and Scott followed with a single to right. Mike knocked in the 1st run with a single just inside the 2B bag in right center. Gary bounced into a fielder’s choice for the 1st out as Scott was able to score from 3B on the play. Ray hit a long flyball to left and it looked like Daniel was going to make a play on the ball, but it dropped at the last moment and fell in for a single. Louis hit a routine grounder to short, but it got under Ken’s glove and rolled into left center for a run-scoring single. Jeff followed with what should have been his 3rd hit in as many at bats, but he was so excited that he ran through the commit line and was called out since he had a runner from the plate. However, Lynn saved the day as he smacked a two-run double to right center to give Gray another five-run frame.
Blue– now trailing by four runs, Blue showed their competitive mettle by putting up four runs to tie the ballgame. Johnny reached on an infield single that hugged the 1B line. Ken lined a single to right and Patrick followed with an infield single to push across the 1st run. Tom K. crushed a drive to center that soared over Jack’s head for a booming two-run double. Tommy’s single moved him to 3B, and he scored as Raul bounced into a 6U 6-3 double play. Don and Donnie kept things going with back-to-back singles, but Scotty speared Henry’s wicked two-out line shot to short to end the inning.
End of 4th Score: Blue 12 Gray 12
Fifth “Open” Inning Recap:
Gray– Jack led off the buffet with a sharp single through the 5/6 hole. Bobby lined out to 3B for the 1st out. Mickey continued to rake at the plate as he ripped one into the gap in right for an RBI double. Terry flew out to center for the 2nd out. Scott lofted a pop fly single to center to drive in Mickey with the 2nd run. Mike singled to left center and Gary smoked a two-base hit down the left field line to drive in the 3rd run. Ray followed with a drive to right center that Don had to jump to make the catch for the final out.
Blue– chasing three, Blue had a chance to steal this one. Dave bounced one back to Ray for the 1st out and the odds on Kalshi plummeted, Daniel and Lucky came through with clutch back-to-back singles to breathe life back into Blue’s comeback effort. Johnny delivered a key RBI single as he stroked a ball between 1B and 2B to bring in the 1st run. Now it was time for the mercenaries to step up and earn their NIL $$$. Ken lined an RBI single to right to cut the lead to one. Patrick followed with an RBI single to knot the score. Tom Kelm scorched Ray’s first pitch down the left field line as Ken easily scored the winning run. In addition to his walk-off hit, Tom drove in four big runs to help Blue get back on the winning track!
Final Score: Blue 16 Gray 15
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Game 2: Red (4-5-0) vs. Orange (5-4-0) 9:00 a.m. 9/17/26 |
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1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
6th |
Total |
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Red |
5 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
X |
X |
12 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange |
5 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
X |
X |
13 |
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Starting pitchers- Red-Jack Kelly; Orange-Terry Thompson |
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Mercenaries-Red- Gary Coyle and Jeff Broussard; Orange- Ray Pilgrim, Tom Kelm and Mickey Poole |
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Home Plate Umpire- Johnny Neville and Dave Berra on the bases |
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First & Second Inning Recap:
Red– nice to see so many of Red’s regulars back in the lineup for today’s game. Red only had to draw two players in contrast with the six drawn on Monday. Red jumped on Orange hurler, Terry Thompson, early and often in route to a five-run first inning,. Doc Hobar drew a walk to lead things off. Terry Watts laced a single up the middle to move Doc to 3B. Patrick slapped an RBI single to right center to get the scoring started. Ken Brown crushed a ball to right field that rocketed past Ray Pilgrim and Greg Tolander as Ken loped around the bases for a huge three-run home run. Bobby Hawthorne fouled out ahead of Gene Nelson ringing double to right center. Jack Kelly reached on a single through the right side to move Gene to 3B. He later scored on Sal Lopez’ sacrifice fly to left to complete the five-run inning, 2nd– Terry found his footing in the 2nd and shut down Red without giving up any more runs. Morris Carter and Gary Coyle were retired on ground balls to short and the pitcher to get tow quick outs. Jeff Broussard singled but was forced out at 2B on Doc’s grounder to short to end the frame.
Orange- Adam Gordon moved back into his leadoff position and came through with a clean single to left center to start the action. Terry Thompson powered a ball to the right center gap ad used all his speed and then some to circle the bases for a two-run home run. Jack Adams and Steve Kendig followed with back-to-back singles to keep things rolling, Jim Foelker made the first out as he flew out to CF. Jerry Mylius looped a single to right to score Jax with the 3rd run. Bubba Barnett was called out on strikes for the 2nd out. Greg Tolander, back from an extended stay in his native Iowa, ripped a single to left center to bring in Steve with the 4th run. Ray Pilgrim drilled a shot to center to bring in the 5th run. 2nd– Tom Kelm continued to dazzle at the plate with a leadoff single. Fellow Greenie, Mickey Poole, followed with a line single to center. Adam popped out to short and Terry fouled out for two quick outs. Jax and Steve produced back-to-back singles to drive in two more runners. Jim F. singled to left center to score Jax, but Steve was thrown out trying to advance to 3B to end the inning,
End of 2nd Score: Orange 8 Red 5
Third Inning Recap:
Red- Terry Watts fouled out to open the 3rd. Patrick laced a single to left center and scampered to 3B on Ken’s hard single down the 3B line. Bobby followed with a groundball to 3B, and Mickey opted to come home as Patrick was off with the hit. Mickey’s throw was a little wide but catcher Bubba Barnett, relying on his experience at 1B, made the stretch and the catch for the 1st out. Gene Nelson continued to stay hot at the plate as he lined an RBI single to right center. Jack K. reached on an infield single. Sal smacked a base hit to left to score Gene with the 3rd run. Morris worked a walk to load the bases, but Terry got Gary to pop out to 2B to retire the side.
Orange- with the game knotted at 8-8, Orange was looking to put a little space between them and the Red men. They managed to pick up two more runs on four hits to regain the lead. Jerry led off with a single to right but was erased on Bubba’s fielder’s choice grounder to 3B. Greg doubled to put runners on 2B and 3B and Ray brought both home with a hard single to left. Tom stayed perfect for the day with another base hit before Mickey bounded into an inning ending 6U 6-3 double play.
End of 3rd Score: Orange 10 Red 8
Fourth “Open” Inning Recap:
Red- not sure about the game clock but the open inning seemed to come early in this one. Red was chasing two to extend the game and came through with a four spot to grab the lead. Jeff led off with a single to left center. Doc singled to right but Terry T. retired Terry W. on a pop out to 1B. Patrick obliterated the next offering from Terry T. and sent the ball soaring to the right field fence for a huge three-run homer. Ken and Bobby had back-to-back singles to keep the rally going. Gene completed hie perfect day at the plate with a run-scoring double to right center to bring in the 4th run. Jack Kelly hit a roller to Jax at 2B, and he threw to 1B to get the out. Bobby tried to score from 3B on the play but Tom’s throw to Bubba beat him by a step for an inning ending double play.
Orange- down by two runs, Orange had the top of the lineup due to hit to start the inning. Adam drilled a single to left center to launch the inning. Terry stroked a single past Ken to put runners on the corners with nobody out. Jax grounded to Doc and it looked like Red would get the first out of the inning, but Ken could not handle the toss, and everyone was safe. Adam scored to narrow Red’s lead to a single run. Steve hit a grounder up the middle that Ken was able to reach but again the flip to 2B was mishandled and everyone was safe. Jim hit a flyball to shallow left center and Patrick made a great attempt to reach it, but it just clanked off his glove and fell in for a hit. Terry and Jax were able to score on the play giving Orange a hard-fought walk-off win.
Final Score: Orange 13 Red 12
Current 4th Session Standings:
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ASSL C league 2026 4th Session Final Standings |
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Win |
Loss |
Ties |
Win % |
Scored |
Given up |
Diff. |
Games Behind |
|
Green |
7 |
2 |
0 |
0.778 |
126 |
81 |
45 |
– |
|
Orange |
6 |
4 |
0 |
0.600 |
97 |
112 |
(15) |
1.50 |
|
Gray |
4 |
5 |
0 |
0.444 |
112 |
104 |
8 |
3.00 |
|
Red |
4 |
6 |
0 |
0.400 |
122 |
131 |
-9 |
3.50 |
|
Blue |
3 |
7 |
0 |
0.300 |
86 |
115 |
-29 |
4.50 |
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 |
|
Green |
24 |
13 |
1 |
0.632 |
496 |
379 |
68 |
– |
|
Gray |
24 |
17 |
2 |
0.558 |
502 |
455 |
57 |
2.00 |
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Orange |
22 |
17 |
1 |
0.550 |
428 |
404 |
19 |
3.00 |
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Blue |
15 |
25 |
0 |
0.375 |
359 |
469 |
-86 |
10.00 |
|
Red |
13 |
26 |
0 |
0.333 |
378 |
456 |
-58 |
11.50 |
Next Games: Monday September 21, 2026
Game 1 8:00 a.m. Green (7-2-0) vs. Red (4-6-0)
Can Green maintain their place atop the standings, or will the upstart Red team repeat their last performance against them and come away with a win?
Blue will be taking on the umpiring responsibilities in this game
Game 2 9:00 a.m. Blue (3-7-0) vs. Gray (4-5-0)
In a rematch of last Thursday’s epic game, can Blue build on their dramatic come from behind win and earn back-to-back wins over Gray?
All will be revealed on Monday!
Green will be taking umpiring the late game on Monday.
Orange will have a bye on Monday allowing their players to have priority in the draw.
Other News and Notes:
The SSUSA World championships will be taking place in Las Vegas next week so there will be several players including myself that will be out for the week.
I know you will be greatly disappointed, but the Game Day Gazette will be taking a break from publication while I’m away. Johnny Neville has agreed to maintain the scorebook so I will updates stats etc. when I return. Bobby Hawthorne will be in charge while I’m gone, so try and behave! Thanks and have a great week!