Not much press about the 62 league this season and now that we are in play-off mode, games should get some love. First of all what a great inaugural season for the old guys(sprinkled with some younger than 62s that were welcomed for this year) Nice baseball with less emphasis on power teams and more on fairness and equality. If for nothing else it keeps the old guys off the streets and less dangerous. Have you seen older retired guys at the diner in the afternoon getting together? At the mall? These guys are up to no good.. About the game. Recap of the no. 3 seed Arachnids vs.the Americans at A diamond Tuesday night. The Americans were not intimated by the higher seed by any means. Boomer throwing for the Americans kept smiling on the mound while the Spiders were popping him up and grounding into a solid infield for 6 innings. Wayne Nicholson by his lonesome for the Spiders,talking to himself, while his Spider brothers abandoned their defense, and watched as the Americans took a 6 run lead into the bottom of the seventh.. Most of the guys were already thinking about something to eat, and how it would be tough on their sleep and digestion. Wow! Donnie Wixons Spiders to a man say its not over.Spiders went after it with all hands. Darryl Duncan was counting it down Hey we cut the lead in half and we have a chance.. The lead is cut in half.. Meanwhile Boomer was still smiling or as he said to me during his teams initial onslaught, This is fun! Spiders, now have two out, a Ralph C ground out and Jimmy Wing K on a nasty curve , but were still alive. D Square hits a bomb to start the fireworks, Nickie K delivers and we start breaking the 2nd half down hit by walk by error and hit. Spiders keep clawing, or whatever Spiders do, and find themselves with Johnny Reel on third with the tying run. Boomer rears back and throws a pitch in the dirt and Johnny scores what looks to be the tying run. Miracle 86Mets? Not so fast. Umpire says Jim Edelman was hit by pitch, John back to third, Jim goes to first. We all exhale the older smaller lungs we now have and hope(pray) Bob Hiller can come through. High fly to second baseman Richie Garbarino, who seemingly put us to bed with a booming double in the sixth ,looks up to the darkening sky and steps around the fly as God, who obviously doesnt have Arachniphobia allows the ball to drop, scoring Mr. Reel. ..tie game. Whats so great about our game? Redemption of course. We had batted around so Jimmy Wing and a Prayer who looked at strike three leading off the inning takes Boomers first pitch into left field with the walk- off. Baseball at any ageBeautiful! Now, where did I put my keys?
Enjoyed your recap Ralph. And so thrilled to read that Jim "Trivia Guru" Wing got the big hit. Considering that Jim's future baseball career hung in the balance after that freak eye injury in Florida a few years back, he is one of the great comeback stories in the league. Anybody else think he looks a bit like Mickey Mantle?
Eloquently written Mr. Caputo. Thank you. When I first heard about the new 62 division, I must admit I was somewhat skeptical about wanting to participate. After all, Ill only be 70 this February and I still play in the 55s. But, looking at it that way, trying to be honest with myself, and knowing that if I continue to live, Ill want to play the game and hopefully help when I do play I decided to give the 62s a go. I can say that its been an excellent overall experience. Ive made some new friends in the process. Names Id only read about on the Bulletin Board. Good men I now am fortunate to know. The pitching overall is mostly not much removed from the 55s with the likes of Scott Ross, Darryl Duncan, Jimmy Dalton, the 2 Waynes-Nicholsen and Newcomb and more. Not long ago I heard a fellow ridiculing the 62 division to the umpires before one of our 55 games. The fact that you cannot throw a batter out at first on a hit to the outfield and a team is not allowed to score more than 5 runs in any inning except the last. He compared it to tee ball. I thought to myself that the day will come when he might be happy theres a division above the 55s. I am certain he will be surprised at how much good baseball is still being played by a lot of senior gentlemen when he finally realizes that its there for him too.
