Wednesday October 15, 2025 (Playoff Final)

Arlington Grill 18 - Mountain View Ranch 15

Arlington Bar and Grill defeats Mountain View Ranch 18-15. A complete team hard fought victory. Hitting stars: Mark Joao had 4 hits, one of which was a home run, George Norris 3 hits, 2 of which were home runs, Mike Brooks 3 hits, none of which were home runs, Pat Towne chipped in with a home run and Chris Thomas almost made the highlights with an almost home run. Angelo Sblendorio pitched a complete game victory. Shout out to Doug McCracken, Dick Michels, and Emil Viola for umpiring.

For Mountain View Ranch, John Ostuni had 3 hits including a triple and a home run. Gary Lasko, Scott Babrowski, and Steve McGee also had 3 hits each. Carl Parris, Mike Rassin, and Gary Landman had 2 hits each. Bill Hanchett played great defense.

Some observations from Stan Silverman, sideline reporter for the Hudson Valley Senior Softball Gazette. Most people laughed with me (or was that at me?) so don’t take anything said here too seriously.

Final Score- Arlington Grill 18-Mountain View Ranch 15

It was a cold dank morning at Whitesell Field when Mountain View Ranch and Arlington Grill faced off for the Wednesday Championship of the World. Stan Silverman, your roving sideline reporter, was there, dressed, sober and up to the task.

On Monday, I suggested to Gary Lasko that he bring in a helicopter to dry out the field, I need to get these stories in to the Pulitzer Committee before selections are made. He just laughed. I’m glad I could amuse him. At the end of the game this reporter chased Sue Lasko off of the field curiously looking for a scoop.

Before the game, Chris Thomas shook Dan Zoller’s hand. I’m thinking that Dan will be out of action for the next several weeks. Dan insists that the stories of his injuries are greatly exaggerated, like Dean Martin’s drinking. Uh huh, yeah, sure.

Batting practice was taken at Digilio, as Whitesell was still being set up for the game. Kudos to whomever came up with such intelligent improvisation.

Before the game started, I noticed Dan Sopchack recruiting unaffiliated volunteers to umpire the game. Thank you to Doug McCracken, Dick Michels and Emil Viola for competently handling the task without arguments or complaints from the competitors.

Eddie Smilkstein and I discussed our less-than-optimal dance class experience. You might have seen me run. You know I still can’t dance.

Mike Muffs predicted a 2026 Red Sox World Series Win. And then he ran off to hide in Florida.

John Ostuni led off the game with a triple. I really think that I saw him running around the bases at a 150-degree angle.

Dan Sopchack was a Chatty Kathy now that his Monday Championship Game is over. He shared with me that the Monday Game could have gone either way. A few bounces this way instead of that way and a few less injuries or other player absences. But his team did have a great season, and everyone should be proud of themselves. But Oh my gosh, Dan, I don’t need to know how you picked out your socks this morning! He just kept talking.  I had to move to a different part of the fence. But before I could move, Dan wondered if Steve Schmid paid for his trip to Norway in empty cans.

Jack Baxter told me that the infielders just have to make their infield throw. Same as usual. You can charge the ball more, but the throw is the throw.

Mark Joao hit a foul ball that nearly knocked over the light pole. Then he hit a fair ball over the leftfield fence for a homerun.

Joe Pug stopped talking about football long enough to offer to trade me learning how to hit the opposite way for learning to run faster. I don’t think it’s going to happen.

Pat Old Towne made a great play in right field. Mike Brooks also made a great shoestring catch. AND LATER ON… Old Towne hit a ball over the fence for a homerun!! I agree with Old Towne, if I ever get lucky enough to hit a ball, fair, over the fence, I’m taking my time running around the bases. All of them. Maybe twice.

It was suggested to me that I suggest to the powers that be that those fancy scoreboards be used for all of the Championship Games. In all of the leagues.

Gary Lasko tried to assault me with a foul ball. Vic Feit insisted that I should have caught it. And drop my pen? And then next batter, Bill Hanchett also tried to hit me. Emil Viola wanted to know if I had written something bad about them.

Mark Battastoni told me that 80 percent of our softball hits are hit to the infield.

My editor, Chris Thomas, ran for Mark Joao from second and then scored from there on a hit. Later on. Chris smashed a fly to deep left that Bill Hanchett caught in deep left, with his back smooshed against the fence.

Tommy Mirande hits most all of his balls to left. With the new pinch running rules, Tommy is smart enough to know that he doesn’t have to hit doubles or triples when there are empty bases.  

Gerald Freer, one of the fan favorites of the Monday League Championship Game, was at the game. I really wanted to talk to him, but I had to dodge getting hit by Gary’s assault attempt.

Gary DiMaggio will be fundraising to acquire suspenders for those in shape Senior Softball Players. You know, round is a shape.

Joe Wassweiler and Paulie Lastowski discussed the evolving technology of bats, balls and field dimensions.  I felt so much smarter just listening. Too bad Gerald Freer wasn’t around.

Even though Mrs. Plimley wasn’t around, I still got criticized for my handwriting.

Mike Rassin hit what might have been a double, but he stopped at first. Does the name Mulva come to mind or was it the smart play? You be the judge.

Stan Smilkstein told me that the game would be ‘Wire to wire.’ Towards the end of the game, Stan told me that he was looking forward to going to see Eddie and spending some Bro’ Time with him.

Ben Anker pointed out to me that Brooksie had the best bat bag ever. I touched it. I may never wash that hand again.

Angelo Sblendorio hit a ball to the outfield that was missed by THAT much.

George Norris hit not one but 2 balls over the fence for homeruns. I asked Mark Joao why he didn’t walk George in his second at bat. Mark said that everyone should have a chance to hit.

After the game we realized that Chris Edwards and Dan Zoller were still standing. Dan wasn’t in need of crutches and Chris didn’t get hit by a car. Miracle of miracles. And Chris is now bowling. Chris noticed that I brought a chair to the game and never used it. A roving reported has to rove. A man has to do what a man has to do.

I just want to know who is taking Arlington Grill to Disney World.

Carl Parris told me that sometimes we hit and sometimes we don’t. During a championship game is a time to hit.

Good news and bad news. On the good side, Tom Milholm started a 2 out rally with a walk. On the bad side, Tom reneged on sending out his colonoscopy pictures. He promises to send out 2 sets next time. Tom had a collision at first with Bill Hanchett. No one got hurt and Tom is going to film a Tide Commercial. Tom also told me that now he will have to take his second shower of the year. 

I wore my Superman shirt to prove to Denny Walsh that I am not Jimmy Olsen. Some fans asked where I change if there aren’t any phone booths left. [Editor’s note: there actually is a phone booth at Arlington Bar and Grill, 770 Main St., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603].

That that that’s all folks. Take care, sports fans. See you next year.