By Larry White, Tom Ewing, and Jake Gibbs.
Ironman Larry White
After a week of well deserved R&R, the boys of summer were back in full swing at Doyon and Grimes Field. With the season winding down, teams are readying for their playoff berths in anticipation for a championship for the ages. On the Steven Grimes Field, the heat played a factor as two skeleton crew teams pounded out a split. The first game went to the 498 by a score of 10-4. Brad Hill finally got some run support with hitting from Charlie Michaud, Tom Spinhurn (who seems to be an “up the middle hitter”), Craig Dupray showed some muscle at the plate, and a Ross Adams backyard shot from Tim Galanis helped fuel the victory. Ted Pickul, yes, that’s right, came out of retirement and showed the young guns how it’s done by powering a couple of hits not for the 498 and then traded shirts and hit for Townsend-Comeau in Game Two. Ironman Larry White took the loss for T-C despite pitching very well. Runs seem to be eluding T-C, only scoring a handful in the past several weeks. Hitting the ball well for T-C in game one were Marc Comeau and Larry White with a pair of hits that helped the cause. Jimmy “Shoeless” Restuccia had a good day at the plate as well. Game two turned around for T-C and the bats came alive as they pulled out an 11-7 victory over the 498, with the help of some great pitching from Larry White and solid offensive and defensive plays from his teammates. T-C came out of the gate hard scoring five runs against losing pitcher Bill “I am not from Gloucester” Novak. Jamie Morley had a strong game at the plate as did Barry Eaton, Marc Comeau, and Larry White. For the 498, Greg “I haven’t got a hit off Larry White all year” Fuller went four for four along with Charlie Michaud. Rookie of the year contender Tim Galanis went deep for the 498.
Restuccia Makes an Amazing Catch
Over on the Doyon field a battle of the two top teams was taking place between Institution For Savings and Mike & Sons.
Game one had Pete Robbins pitching for IFS vs. Mike Stasiak of M&S. Mike and Sons took the first game 14-9. The top of the order for the bankers did all the damage - Jim Racca had 2 hits, Wes Pierce had 2 hits, Paul James had 3 hits, and Joe Greenwood hit a long home run. In game 2 the bankers bounced back with a win behind the pitching of Dave Woody Wood 13-7.
The hits came from Scott Higgy Higgins with two, Tim St.Peter with two and Joe Greenwood who hit a home run past the pitchers mound on the other field. The defensive play of the day came was on a ball hit by Mike Blake that Wes Pierce tracked and relayed to Joe Greenwood who threw a laser to Jimmy Dream Leaver to get Blake at the plate.
Field Observations
- Long time veteran of both Over 30 and the Ipswich Chief’s I.T.L was up from Florida, obliged his privilege of our Veteran Rule and played with the 498 Club went 3 for 5. Ted Pickul, at 70 years young, was welcomed by all and had a blast. “Welcome Home” from the boy’s.
- Umpire Angie Perna cited T/C’S Barry Eaton on rule 7A in the rule books for “intended sliding” and was called out.
- Some members are wondering why how a Haverhill firefighter can swap shifts for 4 months to serve a jail term but Jimmy Edwards has missed several weeks in a row.
- You know it’s hot when Jake Gibbs goes through four shirts.
- T/C is asking why it takes Mark Meaney two weeks of missed softball to host a Wiffle ball tournament.
- Spotted in the crowd this week was Over 30 legend Charlie Fuller.
- Jim Restucci showed up at the refreshment stand with cash this week but still has a tab from the days at Don Bosco eight years ago.
- Mike Blake hit a monster blast on Doyon that was tracked down by Wes Pierce who then hit his cut off Joe Greenwood who fired a bullet to catcher Jim Leaver tagging out Blake. All the fans went nuts and a comment was “yelled to Mike” by one “Chief Flying Grill” that if he got out of his UPS truck more often, he would have been safe. His wife Marilyn concurred.
- Clearing up a report last week that Tom Ewing pulled a muscle going to first base. Tom had the day before moved a washing machine and had aggravated a leg muscle while moving the machine.
Standings are as of July 25th:
Mike & Sons: 13-7
Institution For Savings: 12-8
Townsend Comeau 8-12
Club 498 7-13
