Norwalk Scores and Standings: Sept. 7

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1. Norwalk's Lawrence inducted into CASA Hall of Fame

The Connecticut Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame on Tuesday announced its newest members for the Hall’s Slow Pitch Wing.

Players Jim Dobbs, Bob Garcia and Al Ten, along with Norwalk's George (Mimi)  Lawrence, a longtime sponsor and manager, will be honored at the CASA Hall of Fame awards dinner, Sunday, Sept. 25 at Costa Azzurra Restaurant in Milford at 4 pm. That quartet joins previously announced Fast Pitch Wing honorees Joe Plagesse, Mary Schneider, Joseph Auwood and Ralph Moreo.

With Mimi Lawrence being inducted to join his son Gary, the Lawrences become the third father-son tandem to be elected to the slow pitch wing of the Hall of Fame. Lawrence was involved in softball for nearly 60 years as player, manager and sponsor and will be inducted into the Bernie Iassogna Hall of Honor that recognizes longtime service to the game of softball.

Lawrence managed and sponsored Lawrence’s Tigers for over 30 years, winning four Norwalk city titles and numerous tournaments through out the state. Known as the “Ol’ Tiger”, he also had his two other sons, Tracy and Bobby, play for him for many of the years he was the skipper before starting to slow down in the early 2000’s. The recreation department in Norwalk recently named its wood bat league in his honor, after Lawrence passed away at age 83 in October 2010.

The late Dobbs had an 18-year career that ended in 1986 and was a key player for two Bridgeport/Stratford area teams that performed at the national level. The left-handed hitting outfielder/catcher was one of Avco Lycoming’s standouts as the club was a yearly visitor to the ASA Industrial national tournaments, including winning three titles. Dobbs, who finished his career as a member of Avco’s 1986 national title team, was a three-time first team All-American selection. The Bridgeport native also was a coach on two more Avco national championship clubs.

He moved over to play in the Open division in the mid-seventies for North End Sports Center, and helped that squad to a pair of state championships and two trips to the national tourney in 1974 & 75. Dobbs passed away in 2002.

Garcia was one of the top pitchers in the state during his 35 year-plus career, with 27 of those playing for Bender Plumbing, one of New Haven’s powerhouse squads. He was on the mound for Bender’s 1984 Class A National Championship team, as well as two other top 10 Class A finishes and a pair of third-place showings in the National Masters Division. Bender’s won six Class A state titles and four New England crowns with Garcia on the hill.

The Hamden native was also a sure-handed defensive pitcher and a solid. .500 hitter in the Bender lineup. He has won over 1,200 games and still continues to play in his hometown for the Rosen & Dolan team, after getting his start with Hamden Package in 1975.

Ten was one of the sluggers for the Sonny’s of Westport teams that were one of the state’s most successful Major and Class A squads during Ten’s 15-year career from 1977-91. A versatile performer who played every position but shortstop, he won over 150 games on the mound, and earned his way to a first-team All-American slot as a third baseman when Sonny’s placed 8th in the Class A nationals in 1988. Ten hit .550 with four homers in seven games in the tourney.

Now residing in Midlothian, Va., Ten was usually the club’s cleanup hitter with outstanding power and hit for a better than .600 average. He was one of the key performers for Sonny’s 1980 Major State championship team and was the tourney co-MVP with fellow CASA Hall of Famer Gary Lawrence.

For tickets and information about the HOF dinner, contact Ed Austin at 203-874-4036 or Tom Chiappetta at 203-984-4806 or tomchip21@aol.com.

 Here is this week's scrimmage schedule involving Norwalk teams:

FOOTBALL

Wednesday -- Norwalk at Newtown, 5 p.m.

Friday - McMahon at Darien, 4 p.m.

BOYS SOCCER

Thursday - McMahon at Amity, 3:45 p.m.

Saturday - Norwalk jamboree, 4 p.m.

GIRLS SOCCER

Friday - Norwalk at Notre Dame-Fairfield, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday - McMahon at Weston, 9 p.m.

FIELD HOCKEY

Thursday - McMahon at Westhill,5:30 p.m.

Friday -- McMahon at Stamford,4 p.m.

Saturday -- Norwalk at Darien Play Day, 1 p.m.

VOLLEYBALL

Saturday - Norwalk at Staples jamboree, 9 am.