"You don't stop playing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop playing!" December 2006 The BATTER UP Newsletter is published for the Sun Cities Senior Softball League, and is made possible through our sponsors. Dennis Farrar Editor Email: editor@azsrsoftball.com WHO S ON DECK? SUN CITIES NATIONAL LEAGUE WELCOMES FRANK LANSICI FRANK LANCISI Dennis Farrar Frank Lancisi (#11) plays second base for A.E. Lewis Builders Team in the National League. Frank Lancisi was born in Milford, Massachusetts. Frank graduated of Boston University with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Frank and his wife Jean have two sons one of which passed away 4 years ago. His other son lives in Folsom, California along with two granddaughters. He's a graduate Engineer from Univ. of New Hampshire and had his own business developing heart pumps and other medical devices. Frank is retired from both the New England Telephone Company and U.S. Air Force. Frank has lived in Arizona for 13 years while in the Air Force, then moved to Boca Raton, Florida for a while and then to Roseville, California, then returning to Arizona. Photo by Dennis Farrar Frank enjoyed playing softball in Florida Roseville, California and now in Sun City. Frank and wife Jean have always liked living here in Arizona and enjoy very much playing Senior Softball here. Everyone has been very helpful and friendly. Thank you for the opportunity to play. ANNUAL CLUB DUES ARE DUE IN JANUARY Dennis Farrar Annual Softball dues of $25.00 must be paid during the month of January. Any dues received after January 31 st may be subject to a $10.00 assessment fee. Sun City Club should make checks payable to Sun City Senior Softball Club and give to Ken Doyle or mailed to him at 10117 W Royal Oak Rd., Sun City, AZ 85351. Sun City West Club should make check payable to Sun City West Softball Club and give to Lyle Bakken, or mail to him at 14817 W Domingo Ln., Sun City West, AZ 85375. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Angels In The Outfield.. p 7 Annual Club Dues. p 1 As I See It... p 6 Catch It Early. p 2 Crossword Puzzle... p 4 Crossword Puzzle Solution... p 7 Hall Of Fame Nomination Form.. p 7 League Jackets Order Form... p 7 Notes To The Editor.. p 7 Retirees: The Whole Truth, Nothing But... p 6 SCW Gets a Swinghitter p 3 Club Elections Results... p 3 Sponsors... p 5 Umpires Corner... p 2 Welcome New Players... p 2 What s Your Color?.. p 7 Who s On Deck?... p 1 Women s Softball Has Begun.. p 3 Your National League Reporter Writes.. p 6
UMPIRES CORNER Ken Skinner Play Question Who is Out and are Runs Scored? SITUATION: One out, R1 on 3B, R2 on 2B and R3 on 1B. B4 hits a low line drive into the outfield where F9 dives for the ball but can not make the catch before it touches the ground. The plate umpire correctly signals safe indicating the no catch. R1 and R2 both advance and cross home plate. R3 believes the ball was caught and remains at 1B. F9 throws to 2B where the base umpire rules R3 out on a force out. Just before pitching to B5, F1 stops, steps back and asks the plate umpire, Where is the runner who is suppose to be on 1B? The plate umpire looks into the dugout where he sees B4. The plate umpire rules B4 out for entering the dugout during a live ball. NOTE: B4 entered the dugout without reaching 1B. 1. Do the runs scored by R1 and R2 count? What is the reference? 2. If the plate umpire calls B4 out immediately upon entering the dugout, is the force out at 2B in effect or can R3 remain at 1B and consequently have two outs and both runs count? RULING: This situation has several possibilities, they are as follows: 1. If we assume that B4 entered the dugout without reaching 1B, then the runs do not count. R3 is forced out on the throw to 2B, and then B4 is called out for entering the dugout prior to reaching 1B. Rule 8, Section 2 D states, The batter-runner is out when the batter-runner fails to advance to 1B and enters the team area after a batted fair ball, base on balls, a hit batter, a dropped third strike, or catcher s obstruction." Additionally, Rule 5, Section 5 B 1 states, in part, No runs shall score if the third out of the inning is a result of: A batter-runner being called out prior to reaching first base. 2. If we assume that B4 did not reach 1B, entered the dugout and was called out by the plate umpire prior to the defensive team making the play at 2B, the force out is removed and R3 may remain at 1B. Rule 1 DEFINITIONS: Force out. 3. If B4 reached 1B and then entered the dugout, B4 is out for abandoning a base and entering the team area during live ball (Rule 8, Section 7 U). The force on R3 at 2B is in effect, however the runs count as the third out of the inning is not a force out but a timing play. Catch IT Early! WOMEN S INVITATIONAL SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT January 12 13, 2007 Liberty Field Sun City West, AZ Benefit for BOSOM BUDDIES Breast Cancer Support Group Come join the fun and help fight breast Cancer. All the profits from the tournament Will be donated to Bosom Buddies. Thank You for your support!. For more info: (623) 214-1013 swaneee@peoplepc.com WELCOME NEW LEAGUE PLAYERS Loran Swanson Patricia Clark Jean Majka Max Mohr Bill Johnson WELCOME TO ALL OF YOU! Page 2 of 8
Sun Cities Senior Softball Newsletter December 2006. WOMEN'S SOFTBALL HAS BEGUN! SCW GETS A SWINGHITTER Carol Bowden If you missed the morning batting practice session or want to take a few extra swings we have the answer. The Swinghitter shown on the right makes it possible to sharpen your eye-bat coordination quickly. Pictured to the right is PAT WILLIAMS Pat Williams taking a Photo by Dennis Farrar few extra swings using the Swinghitter before playing her Friday Co-Ed game for Farrar Chiropractic. The Swinghitter consists of a tethered softball on a post which winds itself after it is hit and then can be hit during its unwinding thereby repeating the process. This device is located in the storage shed along the left field foul line at Liberty Field. Be sure to read the simple safety instruction or get a quick lesson before you use it to avoid injury. Fred Suess This year the Sun Cities will have 2 travel teams up to bat. The HOT FLASHES are expected to continue their dominance of the league, but will get some competition from team #2, the SPARKS. The NW Valley Women's Softball will have 5 teams: 2 from the Sun Cities, Pebblecreek, Traditions and SC Grand. It was decided to have men help with the coaching aspect of play, so the women could concentrate on batting & fielding. The HOT FLASHES will be coached by Bill Schwingendorf and the SPARKS will be coached by Herb Clark and Ray Early. Both teams are excited to begin play and demonstrate their abilities. Having 2 high caliber teams bodes well for the condition of women's softball in the west valley. The competition is intense, but the camaraderie is invaluable. A great time is always had by all! The schedule runs from November until the end of March. A tournament mid-season to benefit Bosom Buddies (Jan. 13-14) will provide all spectators with thrills and entertainment at the Liberty field in Sun City West. Regular season games are played on Saturdays. The schedule is posted in the newsletter, can be viewed on the web site or seen at the fields on the bulletin boards. Games this year will also be played in Sun City on Dec. 2, Jan.6 and March 10. Editor s Note: Thank you Fred for your contribution. I m sure lots of us will get great use from this added hitting tool. The results of the opening games are in and the HOT FLASHES have continued with their winning ways! They are undefeated; outstanding defense, critical hitting, very few errors and "heads up" base running are all contributing factors. The SPARKS began their inaugural season with a loss to Pebblecreek. First time jitters couldn't dampen the enthusiasm displayed by the team! The game was very close right up to the last inning. Now the coaches have a sense of what the SPARKS can do. Congratulations to both teams! The support of so many people has made the womens teams successful. What an outstanding mix of women who just happen to all live and play in the Sun Cities. ELECTION RESULTS LINDA GRAHAM JULIE McGLYNN JOHN SELBY LEN WICKETTS BRUCE BRADY MIKE HESTER ART NELSON CONGRATULATION TO ALL! Come to a game and watch what we can do! Page 3 of 8
Copyright 2006 All Right Reserved. CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1. Mineral springs 5. Circle part 8. Plenty 12. Pawn 13. Glop 14. Adjoin 15. Tennis great Arthur 16. European mountain 17. Nanette 18. Cry of relief 19. Tissue layer 20. Maintain 21. out (scrape by) 23. Timid 25. Rare Chinese animal 28. Light tap 29. Possesses 32. Needle opening 33. Adolescent 35. Pen s fluid 36. Cathedral bench 37. Stereo component 38. Vacant 40. Do the slalom 41. Twisted, as a grin 42. Bean curd 45. Sticky substance 47. Gentlemen 51. Eager 52. Duo number 53. Modify text 54. Guns at idle 55. Munch on 56. Cuckoo 57. Predator s quest 58. Stain 59. Went by plane DOWN 1. George Bernard 2. Opulent 3. Need a massage 4. Distorted 5. Yawning 6. Bakery item 7. Imitator 8. Awkwardly tall 9. A woodwind 10. Adjust, as a radio 11. Finish 22. Eskimo boat 24. People s Money 25. Zing 26. Yes, to Popeye 27. Fresh 28. Kind of tent 29. -hop 30. Unwanted picnic guest 31. Earth s upper atmosphere 34. Left out 39. Me,, and I 40. Soapy 41. Jotted down 42. Field cover 43. There 44. Handful? 46. Not home 48. Fan s favorite 49. Asian staple 50. Stash Sharon LeMoine, a first grade teacher at Nadaburg School bused her students (The LeMoine Ambassadors) to Liberty Field in Sun City West to have lunch and to watch a Friday League Co-ed game on Friday, December 1, 2006. All the kids seemed to enjoy themselves and cheered on their team. You could even hear them singing Take Me Out to The Ball Game. Thank you Sharon. I know the kids enjoyed themselves and you did a great job in keeping order. Photos by Dennis Farrar Page 4 of 8
A Thank You to all of our wonderful sponsors who have continued to sponsor our recreation! Without your ongoing support our league would not exist as we know it. You are truly a blessing that has helped us more than you will ever know, and allows all of us another chance to be that little kid again. WE SUPPORT YOU! A.E. Lewis & Sons Builders Arrowhead Honda Arvid & Kay Peterson, Realtors Axberg Heartburg Willis Bashas Bell Lexus Bosom Buddies Brenda's Kitchen Capital Title Agency Daily News Sun Denny's TV Desert Rose Concrete Coating Edward Jones Farmers Ins. Paul Tone Farrar Chiropractic & Acupuncture Florencia Pizza Golden Eagle Distributors (Budweiser) Gonstead Family Chiropractic Grandview Terrace Ken Meade Realty Larry Ott Realty Liberty Buick Lund Cadillac Newton's Automotive Northern Trust Bank Peoria GMC Pepsi Cola Bottling Group Piper / Jaffrey Rosie's Italian Café Sanderson Lincoln Mercury Saturn of West Phoenix Southwest Golf Cars Sue Pahlke Realty Sun Country Credit Union Sunshine Irrigation The Exterminator TruGreen Chem Lawn Van's Pro Shop / Ping VFW Post 10695 Wells Fargo Bank Wester News Windermere Realty Page 5 of 8
YOUR NATIONAL LEAGUE REPORTER WRITES Bob Williams The reports that you read on our website or in the newspaper are only as good a product as what I am able to ascertain from the score sheets. The quality of our scorekeeping has actually gotten worse, rather than better, as this session progresses. I won't mention any names, but the biggest offenders are repeat offenders mostly from the same teams. The biggest short coming is in indicating how the runners got on base. I cannot give credit where it is due when there is no way of knowing if a player got a single or an extra base hit. This should be as simple as 1, 2, 3, 4 put alongside the pre-printed "H in each box on each score sheet. I challenge the Manager's to help me put out a better product by instructing their score keepers on how to do their job before they are sent to the booth. It would just take a second to accompany the scorekeeper and make sure they get off on the right foot. At that time, it would be appreciated if the aforementioned manager would take a minute and jot down on the back of the score sheet from their game, which is usually the immediate preceding game, such things as good defensive play, base running or anything else not evident on the face of the score sheet. This will help me put out a better, more accurate, report - giving credit where credit is due. Thanks for your anticipated cooperation. AS I SEE IT! Dennis Farrar With this issue of the Batter Up I can tell you that my wife Terese and I had a nice visit with our daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren in Minnesota late October and early November. Although we almost froze, we enjoyed Trick or Treating with the little ones. Karlie was an angel and Leah was a cheerleader. I think they re both angels without costumes, but we enjoyed going out with them. No snow, just cold. We don t get to see them as often as we would like to. I m sure a lot of you can relate to that. We also attended a wedding for our niece in Wisconsin. I hated to miss my ballgames but we had a wonderful time! I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Julie McGlynn for temporarily taking over the managing duties of the Farrar Chiropractic Co-ed team on Friday in my absence. I can always depend on her when I ask her to help me. Julie and Mac You re wonderful!! Thanks again! Some of you probably have already heard and have experience the SCSSL Umpires Association at your games. I would like to personally thank Ken Skinner for give us his time and knowledge as well as putting this together. I have heard nothing but positive comments concerning this new adventure. Yes, it may take some time to get the bugs out so to speak, but in the long run, I feel that our games will have better officiating. I hope that all of you will hang in there with us. Remember, these sessions are open to all players. You don t have to want to be an ASA Certified Umpire to attend the sessions. Come on out and get involved. It will make you a better umpire. You may be called on from time to time to assist us, and we hope that you will assist us willingly. Again I would like to welcome all the new players to our game. I hope that you we take every opportunity to get more involved in your club and the league. Our clubs are only as good as we are willing to give back. Finally, my wife Terese and I hope that your family has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. That s how I see it. Have a great game and get home safe. Editor Retirees: The Whole Truth, Nothing But Q: Why don't retirees mind being called Seniors? A: The term comes with a 10% discount. Q: Among retirees what is considered formal attire? A: Tied shoes. Q: Why do retirees count pennies? A: They are the only ones who have the time. Page 6 of 8
NOTES TO EDITOR Anonymous Manager I get the feeling that some of us are not happy at the level of play that we are playing. We all make mistakes as none of us are perfect. So let s all just shake it off, support each other, swallow our criticism and have fun. Remember, the coach that said: It s not whether you win or lose but how you play the game. Well in the senior league I think it should be: It s not whether you win or lose but how much fun you have playing ball. So let s to out and have fun. Angels In The Outfield Joyce Fano Our annual toy drive was a great success. A big thank you to all the ball players for remembering the children. GETTING COLD AT THE GAME LATELY? ANSWER: GET YOUR LEAGUE JACKETS Ray Keller It s time to order League Jackets. Jackets will have your name and the new logo front and back. Just fill out the order form below and give to Ray Keller (American League), Steve Griswold or Steve Letko (National League). You must order no later then December 21. Last name is an option on your jacket. If you don t want your last name on your jacket, just leave blank. Please remember to print clearly. If you have any question please call me. Ray Keller (623) 977-1469. LEAGUE JACKET ORDER FORM Many thanks and Happy Holidays from "The Angels in the Outfield" WHAT S YOUR COLOR? Dick LeMoine Work is underway to hold our fourth annual Tin Cup. Held for the benefit of our Softball Community and Sponsors. CROSSWORD PUZZLE SOLUTION (p. 4) This year mark April 16, 2007 on your calendar. The event is being held at Briarwood Country Club followed by our awards banquet & Dance. Last year we gave away approximately $16,600 in prizes and a new golf cart to some lucky person who attended. Thanks to one of our most amazing sponsors, this year someone will leave the banquet in a NEW CAR!!! So, the question is not will you attend, but what color do you want your NEW LEXUS!!! Watch for details. Remember, NO CHEATING! Page 7 of 8
Hall of Fame Selection Do you know of a softball player who is or has worked to make our softball program in Sun City and Sun City West better? If you do, please submit a nomination form available from your team manager or in the club house of Sun City or Sun City West. The process has been simplified for your convenience. 1. Get a nominating form from your team manager or at the club house. You can also use the form in the Newsletter. 2. Name the person you would like to nominate. 3. Sign and date the form. (No co-sign required) 4. Put the form in an envelope, drop in the box at Liberty Field (by the west bleachers). 5. A review panel will do the rest When we receive your nomination, you will be notified that your selection has been recorded. Please get involved, this could be your way of saying Thank You to a deserving person. I would like to nominate: HALL OF FAME Nomination Form Comments: Submitted by: Date Page 8 of 8