Frank “The Rocket” Rouse stands at third after legging out another triple. Coach Vern Rodgers and Third Sacker John Robinson look on.
Larry Wolfe
Here’s a recap of our recently completed Fall Softball Seasons in both the Lakes and Sun Divisions:
Manager Dave Kratz and his A-1 Golf Carts team won the Lakes Division title with a record of 12-8. First Response Roofing, managed by Dennis Kennedy, and the Young Home Team Realtors, managed by Gary Hillabolt, tied for second place with 10-10 records.
In the Sun Division, Manager Ron Carmichael and his Redeemed Team and Manager Mike Gloyd’s Spooner PT squad tied for the pennant with records of 10-8. Manager Marty Hobby and his Camp Hilby team just missed out, finishing at 9-9. Of note, in the last game of the season, Camp Hilby scored 39 runs. That was the second highest score of all time, topped only by the Spooner PT squad that scored 40 during the Fall 2022 Season.
Frank Rouse led the Lakes Division in hitting with a robust .817 mark. The remainder of the Top Ten were Alex Santucci (.787), Gary Alexander (.776), Vern Rodgers (.773), Mike Willits (.764), Jay Yoakum (.753), Ralph Wolf (.750), Dave Kratz (.747), Brian Brockman (.742), and Jerry Smith (.740). Brockman was the home run leader with six.
George Siegele was the Sun Division leader with an .809 average. The remainder of the Top Ten were Don Long (.767), Kim Whitney (.765), Mike Lebet (.748), Bob Hubbard (.742), Dave Platt (.739), Barron Liebert (.723), Dan Melosi (.714), Ernie Flores (.713), and Brad Wendt (.709). Four players reached double digits in homers, led by Don Long’s incredible 27. George Siegele followed with 19, while Barron Liebert (13) and Bob Hubbard (10) were the other two members of the double-digit club. If Long maintains his current pace, he could annihilate the all-time HR record of 56 set by Bobby Farmer during the 2020-21 Seasons.
Opening day for our Winter Sessions was on Jan. 7. The Winter Sessions continue through Feb. 14 and will be followed by double-elimination tournaments for each division beginning Feb. 25. Go to the Stats page on our website www.sunlakessoftball.com for up-to-date standings and statistics.
Baseball quote of the month: “Always go to other people’s funerals; otherwise, they won’t come to yours.” —Yogi Berra