18-Grip Shield Glory Days

The Grip Shield Hammerheads, led by former major league slugger Dante Bichette lost a 1-0 heartbreaker in the Over 45 division semifinals of the Men's Senior Baseball League Fall Classic on Friday, November 19 at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter. Bichette went all the way on the mound, as the Hammerheads, featuring many Palm Beach League players, finally succumbed to the DuPage (IL) Angels on a two out single by the Angels' Bob Wojcik in the home half of the "unlucky" 13th inning. Bichette, who went 3 for 4 at the plate, matched zeros with the Angels' "iron man", Bob Latchford, who also went all thirteen until the Halos scored on a single, steal, ground out and Wojcik's long game winning blast to left field.

Despite the 13 innings, the game was played in a very rapid two hours and 27 minutes. The Hammerheads, who play as the Grip Shield Glory Days in the Palm Beach League featured former major league pitcher Joe Grahe, who played an outstanding defensive game at shortstop, as well as John Denski (Island Jack's Marlins), manager Joe De Santis, team sponsor Steve Arnold, Jeff Tomlinson, Mike Smollon, Howard Taylor, Dave Aldred, Jeff Bishop, and former Palm Beach League players Bob Down and Buddy Frezza. The team plays in the NABA Palm Beach spring season, and as the Hammerheads in tournament play. They also played in the Roy Hobbs tournament in Fort Myers.