–FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—
May 22, 2025 (Liberty Park Sports Complex)
The summer weather took a break on a crisp, dry morning. That was all the pitchers needed to gain control as fans were treated to two games with only two walks between them, speeding up play so that everything was done by noon. League director David Ferguson shook his head. “I haven’t been home this early since last season.”
Blue faced a hot Sky Blue team in the first game and started cold—only one batter reached base in the first inning. Bobby Watkins, Carlos Davis, Royce O’Donnel, Rod Ellis, Larry Enzweiler and Desiree Cook all got hits and Sky Blue scored 4 in their first turn at bat. Blue never caught up.
Mike Richards and David Brasfield got hits to start the Blue second, and Terry Lewis and Holly Whitmire drove them in, and then Blue shut out Sky Blue to make it a 4 to 2 game. But Blue couldn’t score in the third and Sky Blue added 2 after making two outs, when Royce reached base on a fielder’s choice, Rod Ellis singled, Larry Enzweiler drove in Royce and Glenn Little drove in Rod. Sky Blue 6, Blue 2 after three.
Cecil Kwong and David Ferguson got hits to open the Blue fourth and Mike Richards drove in Cecil before Sky Blue got the next three batters out. But Blue shut out Sky Blue in the bottom of the inning to keep the game close. Blue couldn’t score in the fifth and Carlos Davis drove in Bobby Watkins with a towering two-run homer to stretch Sky Blue’s lead to 8 to 3. Blue got back to striking distance with 3 in the top of the sixth, but seven Sky Blue batters in a row reached base and scored 5 runs. Sky Blue 13, Blue 6 going into the open seventh. David Brasfield and Dick Baguley got hits in the Blue seventh, but nobody could score and Sky Blue won 13 to 6 without having to bat again.
Sky Blue hitters were 21 for 35 for a .600 team batting average and on-base percentage. Carlos Davis was 4 for 4 with a home run and Rod Ellis was 3 for 3. Carlos was exuberant after the game, but then he’s always exuberant. “I’m feelin’ good because I had a farmer’s breakfast this morning. He wasn’t very happy about it, but I’m feelin’ good.”
The first game ended long before Jim Anderson and Dennis Horne arrived but they walked up the stadium ramp right at game time as usual. Jim said “I’m walkin’ as fast as I can but I’m in good shape and ready to pitch. Round is a shape.”
Handsome Herb pondered where the fielders should play as Wayne Sheets and Bob Slanovits offered advice. Herb admitted “I used to be indecisive but now I’m not so sure.” David Ferguson caught a ball in center field for the first out in the game and Herb muttered, “That’s good management.” Unfortunately for Red, the next four batters, Ron Oliver, Mike Madden, Ken Sransky and Gary Singleton all reached base and Cecil Kwong hit a grand slam. Then Jim Hill drove in Cecil and Orange jumped to a 5-0 lead.
Red came alive in the second. Glenn Little, Bob Slanovits, John Woychak, Bobby Watkins, David Richey, Dennis Horne, Wayne Sheets, Dale McWhorter, and Rel Underwood all got hits but a double-play and a throw from the outfield held them to 4. Orange scored another 5 in the bottom of the second on hits by Buddy Cannon, Harmon Turner, Mark Lilla, Ron Oliver, Mike Madden, Ken Sransky, Gary Singleton, and Cecil Kwong and then shut out Red in the top of the third and scored another run in the bottom when Buddy drove in Jim Hill. Orange 11, Red 4 after three.
Wayne Sheets drove in a run in the Red fourth but they left the bases loaded. Bob Slanovits made a lunging stab of a Ken Sransky line drive to shut out Orange and then Red scored 4 in the top of the fifth and shut out Orange again. Orange 11, Red 9 after five.
Orange’s Sransky was involved in all three outs as they shut out Red in the top of the sixth. Red’s David Richey ran down a Sid Hilton fly in right to open the Orange half inning, but Buddy Cannon and Keith Frederick got hits and Harmon Turner reached on a fielder’s choice. Mark Lilla drove in Buddy and Ron Oliver got a hit to load the bases. Mike Madden hit a high pop-up behind second base. David Ferguson dashed in from center and Bob Slanovits dashed out from shortstop. Bob, blinded by the sun, threw out his gloved hand but the ball bounced off it and rolled past David while three runs scored. Red 9, Orange 15 after six.
Red needed 6 runs in the open seventh to keep the game going but could only get 3 and the game ended Orange 15, Red 12.
Orange hitters were 22 for 35 with two walks for a .629 team batting average and a .649 on-base percentage. Buddy Cannon was 4 for 4.
Red hitters were 28 for 44 for a .636 batting average and on-base percentage. Glenn Little was 4 for 4 and Bobby Watkins and Wayne Sheets were both 3 for 3.
Mike Richards complained after the game. “I felt kinda spacey all day today. I went to the drugstore to get some pills that are supposed to improve your memory but by the time I got there I forgot what they were called and I was too embarrassed to tell the pharmacist.”