Special to the News-Sun
LAKE PLACID - Lake Placid Senior Softball kicked off its 21st season this week with four teams playing on Mondays and Wednesdays at Lake June Ballfield at 11 a.m.
Managers draft the players, then draw to find out which team they are managing.
Thus the playing field is as level as possible.
Of the four games opening week, three were decided by one run and the fourth by three.
The idea is to keep the games and standings as close as possible.
On Monday, defending champion Yates Insurance knocked off Schooni's Restaurant 26-23.
Schooni's, down 17 at one point, rallied to pull close and ended the game with the tying run on first base.
For Yates, Ron Hanish, Paul Brand and manager Dick Cook (triple, HR) had five hits each.
Larry Oser (double) and Cliff Bluml (double) had four hits each.
Woody Hoffman hit two key triples to ignite rallies.
For Schooni's, Richard Rucker (HR), Denis Cuillerier, manager Doran Quigg and Brian Heaphy had four hits each.
Central Security outlasted Seminole Tire 29-28.
Seminole, like Schooni's, staged a furious rally from 15 down to tie the game before the Securitymen pulled it out.
For Central, Tom Walsh, Paul Stephenson and Chet Johnson had five hits each.
The 'Noles were paced by Skip Raller (HR) and Mike Kratt with four hits each.
Darrel Richards chipped in with three hits (two doubles).
On Wednesday, Yates Insurance (2-0) squeaked by Central Security (1-1) 21-20.
Yates rallied from six down to take the lead in the last inning, then kept Central from scoring to preserve the win.
For Yates, venerable Al Chipps, who soon turns 95, had three hits and three RBI, including the game winner.
Dick Cook (two doubles, triple) had five hits, while Ed Engler hit for the cycle.
Paul Brand (double, triple) and Woody Hoffman had four hits apiece.
Pitched Jeff Stanley aided his own cause with a home run.
Manager Joe Hedges led Central with five hits (double, triple) and Tom Walsh had four singles.
Seminole Tire (1-1) topped Schooni's (0-2) 24-23.
For Seminole, Howard Carney and Jim Hensley combined for nine singles and were one base often for home runs off the bats of Darrel Richards, Norm Grubbs, Gary Pixley and Bill Card.
For Schooni's, home run power came from Richard Rucker and Denis Cuillerier.
Tom Ashley (double, triple) and pitcher Victor Rodriguez had four hits each.
After the games, the players gathered for a huge cake to celebrate the 70th birthday of longtime league president Ray Hensley.
Friday, January 11, 2013 - www.newssun.com/FRI-1-11-13-LPSeniorSB