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TACOMA TUGS AND WASHINGTON TITANS

In 1988 two senior baseball leagues (30 & over) were formed in the Puget Sound region. The
Mickey Mantle league in Puyallup and the Puget Sound Senior Baseball League [PSSBL] in
Seattle. As a result baseball in the area became relevant again and allowed adult players to once
again play the sport they loved while growing up.
In 1989 the Roy Hobbs World Series, named after the mythical player in the movie "THE
NATURAL", began operations in Orlando, Florida at the spring training sites of the
Kansas City Royals and the Houston Astros. Under new ownership in 1991 the World
Series was then moved to Fort Myers, Florida at the spring training sites of the Boston Red
Sox and Minnesota Twins where 24 manicured fields including the stadiums are available
for use. Overtime that World Series has had tremendous growth and now upwards of 235-
245 teams make the trek annually to compete for various age group championships. That
includes International teams as well.
At the inaugural World Series in 1989 the Puyallup Paradise Travel team of the Mickey Mantle
league finished third in the 35 and over division. Three of the players (Who were they?) [future
Tugs] made the All-Tournament team that year. While at the World Series this Puyallup team
was also able to play an exhibition game with the Russian National Team (18 & over). Puyallup
lost the game 5-2 but batted all the roster players in the lineup and utilized a different pitcher in
every inning.
Overtime, the TACOMA TUGS players have evolved from other Pierce County teams such as:
Puyallup Paradise Travel; Washington Senators; Tacoma Knights, Puget Sound Rainiers and
the Tacoma Cascades.
Under the organization and leadership of Pat Weber, considered the "Godfather of Senior
Baseball in Pierce County", along with player/coach Mic Stump the initial TUG players
included: Dr. Dave Mathews; Jim Lopez; Steve Rapkoch; Marc Mullins; Ron Staples; John
Moelhman; Cary Harlow; and Dr. Bob Jarrett.
Eventually, that core group expanded to also include: Bill Ralston; Dr. Marse McNaughton;
Dan Wombacher; Mike Slattery; Dave Reynolds; Dr. John Olerud; Dr. Dan MacDougall; Jim
Moore; Doug Springford [Canada]; Randy May; Wayne Bauers and Harry Basil.
These players have won at every level including the Mickey Mantle league, the Pierce
County league and the PSSBL. Other various championships would include: the Washington
State Games; the Las Vegas Kick Off Classic; the San Diego Memorial Day Tournament;
the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series in Phoenix, Arizona [MSBL) and then just
missing the medal round at the NIKE World Master Games in Salem, Oregon.
The TUGS now play exclusively in the PSSBL out of Seattle which overall includes 65 teams
and 1,100 players in various age groups and talent ability. The PSSBL also represents the third
largest Senior Baseball program in the country behind New York and Washington D.C.
The TUGS initially started with the PSSBL in the 45 year-old Smokey Division. Eventually,
with age they then moved up to the 55 and over Everest Division where under both divisions

they've been competing for the past 14 years since 2002. During that time the TUGS have won
9 league titles and 4 post season league tournament titles with their worst finish coming last
year [2016] when they finished in third place. Their record was 14 wins, 5 losses and 1 tie. In
2015 they were 18 wins and 2 losses winning the league title. The team's average age in 2016
was 68.
Upon completion of their league season the TUGS then bolster their roster for the Roy Hobbs
World Series by adding other premier players from the PSSBL thus forming the nucleus of their
national team, the WASHINGTON TITANS. Those additional players include: Bart Waldman;
Sam Ceci [San Diego]; Tim Tucker; Bill Williams; Rick Parks; and Terry Tweedy [Canada].

Since 2005 while competing at the Roy Hobbs World Series the TITANS have won 7 of the
past 12 World Series Championships under the various age groups [55-60-65] along with 3
second place and 2 third place finishes. Great pitching, team speed, air tight defense and solid
hitting makes this team tough to beat. This is certainly a testament to the talent level in this area.
Reflecting the balance of talent on the team nine (9) different players have won MVP or co-
MVP awards in those championship years.
Ten (10) of the players have also been recognized and inducted into various Baseball Hall of
Fames such as: The Tacoma-Pierce Pierce County Baseball-Softball Old Timers Hall of Fame;
The Puget Sound Senior Baseball League Hall of Fame [PSSBL]; The Roy Hobbs Hall of Fame
and the Men's Senior Baseball League Hall of Fame [MSBL]. Who are in the TPC HOF?
The TITANS team has also been highlighted over the years by the Seattle P.I., the Tacoma
News Tribune., the Tacoma Weekly, the University Place Periodical and the Seattle Mariners
organization where on three different occasions the players have been celebrated with
individual introductions and by throwing out the first pitch.
While the player's backgrounds vary they are all bonded together by their love of baseball, the
competition and their respect for each other. Most of the players were multi-sport athletes in
high school while some were even two sport athletes in college. Even today these players
continue with other sports as well such as: basketball, squash, tennis, handball, racquetball and
even golf. Age is just a number.
Four (4) team members: Bill Ralston; Dr. John Olerud; Sam Ceci; and Wayne Bauers
(deceased) all have had professional baseball backgrounds having been drafted in order by the
Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins and the New York Mets. All
were in (AAA) when they eventually decided to try a different career.
When drafted John Olerud was an All-American catcher out of W.S.U., Sam Ceci was an All-
American catcher out of Southern California University while also part of three consecutive
College World Series championships with the school in the early 70's. Bill Ralston was drafted
out of high school while living in California and eventually he and Sam Ceci played together on
the Tacoma Twins. Bill even played on the Albuquerque Dukes with Tacoma native, Ron Cey.
Their manager was Tommy Lasorda. Wayne Bauers was drafted out of high school while living
in New Jersey.

Other TITANS players have played college baseball in such places as: the Univ. of
Oregon; Oklahoma State Univ.; Harvard and Whitworth College along with various Jr.
Colleges and years of Semi-Pro baseball as well. Overall, the players average some 50-
60 years of playing some form of ball which also includes fast pitch and modified fast
pitch softball along with a touch of slow pitch.
Some of the player highlights over the years are: DAVE REYNOLDS throwing batting
practice to the Seattle Mariners which included the very first pitch ever in the major
leagues to Edgar Martinez. Dave also coached basketball as an asst. at Franklin High
School winning a state tournament with Jason Terry. BILL WILLIAMS coached baseball
at Liberty High School in Issaquah where one of his players was Tim Linsecum. DR.
MARSE MCNAUGHTON was a star track athlete at B.Y.U. and he represents the fastest
player in Senior Baseball with the stolen bases to reflect that talent. BART WALDMAN,
for 20 years, has been a V.P. and club atty. for the Seattle Mariners having negotiated
the baseball contracts of current and former Mariners like Ken Griffey Jr., Randy
Johnson, Jay Buhner and Edgar Martinez just to name a few. DAN WOMBACHER
played college football at the Univ. of Nebraska. JIM LOPEZ was a "Who's Who"
among students in American Universities and Colleges. DR. DAVID MATHEWS played
youth baseball with actor Tom Selleck Dave is also a U.C.L.A. alum. MARC MULLINS
has played consecutive baseball seasons for 51 years strait beginning in Houston, Texas.
MIC STUMP has an overall coaching record of 518 wins & 189 losses. RON STAPLES
and HARRY BASIL represent the only local high school players on the team having
played for Clover Park and Wilson respectively.
For 20 years and at various times DR'S DAN & LINDSAY MacDOUGALL have
volunteered their medical services in places such as: Africa; South America; Haiti;
Albania; and Polynesia. Recently, they were in the Dominican Republic where they also
taught English and Baseball to the local kids. DR. BOB JARRETT was a former
National Advisor to the President's Health Council. When requested BILL RALSTON
conducts ministry services for the Tacoma Twins and visiting teams. RICK PARKS, for
many years, has been a Sea-Fair Pirate in Seattle providing laughter and comfort
through-out the year to kids at all the local hospitals. DR. JOHN OLERUD, in July,
2016, and before 25,000 Seattle Mariner fans was the recipient of the Presidential
George H.W. Bush award for distinction in college baseball as well as his personal and
professional life. (The 2015 winner was Vin Scully the voice of the Los Angeles
Dodgers for over 60 years)
Several of the players have also been involved in youth coaching all the way up to high
school to include the likes of: Curtis, Puyallup, Bellarmine, Liberty, Yelm, Franklin,
Christian Faith and even the Univ. of Puget Sound. One player even ran a youth baseball
program.
Overall, chemistry, character, respect, team cohesiveness great coaching along with
strength and conditioning plus amazing talent and a passion for the game and life
describes this group as they have been on top of their baseball world for several years
now with a desire to see it continue as they get ready for the 2017 season.

The team motto is "YOU DON'T STOP PLAYING BECAUSE YOU GROW OLD....YOU
GROW OLD BECAUSE YOU STOP PLAYING"
Go Tugs!! Go Titans!!