Senior Softball Begins Play At New Complex

Last Tuesday marked a huge milestone for the Sebring Senior Softball League games.

It was the beginning of the League's use of the new Highlands County Sports Complex in Sebring.

At 9 a.m. more than 100 players arrived and were anxiously trying to locate their appropriate designated areas.
When the time for "let's play ball" came, eight teams began to play simultaneously on four fields, a first time ever for the League to be gathered in one place.

There had been reorganizing of the teams with added players and new managers.

Royal Palms came up with a good season start by defeating Reflections 8-5. Palms' Bob Fox belted out a homer, and was responsible for 3 RBI's. Teammates helping the score were Bob MacCarrick with a triple, Don Thomas and Doug Hammond each had a double.

Reflections' Bill Yeager had three hits and the rest of the team showed good defensive backing.

Stan Turl's Rebels came out on top with an 11-3 win over Silent Salesman. Salesman's Harley Smith hit his first triple of the season.

The Rebels demonstrated unexpected muscle power with Elwood Black going 3 for 3, as did Tom (Moose) Morrissette , which included a three-run homer.

The real thrill of the game was Fred Boyd connecting for a grand slam.

The Klingons hung on to a winning score of 19-5 against the Highlands Independent Bank of Sebring.

HIBS seemed to hit directly to the Klingons players and Klingons hit to areas where the Bankers weren't, making for a lopsided score.

Klingons' Don Day had four hits. HIBS could boast of an outstanding running catch in left field by Harold Huff.

Aluminum Discount was happy to acquire three new players this season, which attributed to a victory of 26-13 over Highlands Independent Bank of Avon Park.

They reported "no heroes and no goats" although Manager Leslie Smith went 4 for 4, including three triples.

Thursday's games brought about some wider scoring upsets. The Rebels outscored Highlands Independent Bank of Sebring 22-14.

Their hot bats brought in five runs before the first out was made in two separate innings. Tony Caristo went 4 for 4 with a home run.

Elwood Black and Stan Turl each went 3 for 4 with a homerun.

Tom Morrissette had four hits, Gary Mattis had three hits with a double, and Don Purdy went 3 for 4 with a triple.

HIBS started out with an early lead of 9-1, but after the sixth inning, the Rebels closed the book on the Bank.

An honorable mention goes to Harold Huff, 83 years young, who had four hits, including a home run, plus another great catch in the outfield.. Paul DuBrule and Bob Binegar each went 4 for 5.

Silent Salesman came up with a 16-11 victory over Aluminum Discount after falling behind 10-3 in the first two innings of play.

Aluminum Discount began the game in AI shape, scoring five runs in the first and second innings.

The Salesman put the squeeze on them battling for the win and almost shutting them down. Leslie Smith and Paul Stevenson had three hits each.

Coming up big for the Salesman was Mike Jurmu, who went 4 for 5, including a triple, and Jerry Johnston had four hits. Richard Godfrey went 3 for 4.

Several good defensive plays were made and good pitching by Leo Lypps and Harley Smith contributed to the come-from-behind win.

Royal Palms blasted Highlands Independent Bank Avon of Park by a 15-2 score.

The Palms' Bob Floodine thumped out a home run and was responsible for five RBIs in the game.

Charlie Quinn had a triple and three RBIs. Bob Fox had three solid hits with three RBIs.

Helping the HIBAP team was David Crotser with three hits.

Reflections outshined the Klingons by a score of 23-5.

Reflections scores included Ed Lindberg going 4 for 4 with a homer. Three hits each were credited to Brian Pluta, Ron Lewis, Dan Webb and Harry Bell. John Kloet whipped out two hits with a home run.

These were two enjoyable days in the new Complex facilities. Games are played each Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. Spectators are encouraged to come and watch the Seniors exhibit their softball skills.

Bleachers are available, but you may want to bring a lawn chair for comfort.

Lake Placid Senior Softball

Al Chipps, the oldest player in the Lake Placid Senior Softball League's history got two hits, but no help from his team mates as his Schooni's Family Restaurant team went down by a count of 17 to 4 in senior softball league play on Wednesday, January 9 at the Lake June Ball Fields as several spectators looked on. The effervescent Chipps who turns 90 early next month and played 18 holes of golf the previous day, went 2 for 3 by beating out a grounder past third and with a line drive to the outfield for the other.

Several players on the Schooni team hit the ball well, but were denied hits by the excellent fielding of the Seminole Tire team which was on their game, both in the field and at bat. Several nice fielding plays were made by Manager Gary Steves, Gary Vann, and George LaVoie.

Those players also delivered at the plate going 3 for 4 with Van getting a home runwhile Don Thomas added 3 hits for the winners.

Play on the other field resulted in a slugfest where Lake Placid Marine topped Michelle Yates Insurance by a score of 19 to 13.

The Lake Placid Marine attack was well distributed with most players contributing hits. Dana Hurlbut, substituting for a missing player, had 3 hits while Cal Bready and Darrell Richards continued their hitting streaks with 2 hits each.

The Yates Insurance team delivered the long ball from three of their players, but it was not enough to over come the steady performance of Lake Placid Marine. Duke Hensley had a home run and a triple along with Charlie Quinn and Harland Newby. Fred Moore added 3 hits while Jim Hensley and Doran Quigg added 2 hits each in the losing effort.

A couple of new players joined the league and a few more are needed. Men age 50 and older who are interested in joining in on the fun and fellowship should come to the Lake June ball fields at 9 a.m. on Monday's and Wednesday's. League play will continue through the end of March.