2025 MSBL/MABL Player Profile: Dave Scola, Tri-Valley MSBL
By Steve LaMontia-Carlentini, Director of Communications
Dave Scola is 68 years old. Why is this important? Because what he pulled off on a junior college field recently is what young dreams are made of, not people on the Social Security threshold.
Dave went 5 for 5, which many people have accomplished and bragged about for decades. But what was encompassed in the box score is the real story here. Dave hit for the cycle and then added another single for good measure! This was all accomplished by a guy who started playing baseball again in the Tri-Valley MSBL in California at the age of 57, en route to becoming an All-Star for the Expos!
Our mission was to catch up with this amazing individual and get the ‘blow-by-blow’ explanation of his record-setting afternoon. Following is my discussion with the hero of the Expos, who defeated the Cardinals 11-3 on that fateful day in the 68-over division.
“Hendrickson (MSBL legend and World Series seasoned pitcher, Larry) was the first pitcher I faced,” started Scola. “We know each other well and are great friends. He threw one down the middle, which he rarely does, and I rolled it to the fence to start with a triple for my first hit. Triples aren’t easy to come by at my age, so I was pretty happy.”
That is a nice way to start a cycle. Dave is a lefty, which is necessary to mention while mentally examining his hit placements.
“My second time up, Larry threw an outside pitch that I hit over the shortstop for a hit, and then the third time I pulled it down the first base line, but the hamstring started to bark as I rounded first base, so I pulled up at second, even though the third base coach was waving me over.”
That brings us to the climax of this saga. How did the home run take place?
“They had a new pitcher in the game by then, and as I was on deck, I could hear my teammates in the dugout yelling at me to go for the cycle. Honestly, that was the first time I had even thought about it.
I knew I couldn’t hit it over the fence, so I just tried to barrel it up, as any hitter hopes to do. I hit it beyond the fielders in right and center and saw it roll to the wall. I headed for third and started to pull up, but the coach was waving me in, so I kept going!
Then I added another single up the middle and my day was done. I’m still pooped when thinking about it!”
Dave is not a unique league player who hangs around and feeds a once-weekly hobby. He is a frequent participant at the MSBL Desert Classic, Kickoff Classic, and the World Series in Arizona.
He can also be seen in Sacramento and San Diego in regional tournaments, usually as a member of the tournament powerhouse Dragons. He will be playing in five tournaments in 2025 and also plays on three league teams.
“I can still run a little bit, so I am primarily an outfielder, though I have seen time at third or short and even behind the plate. I have also taken the mound when we were short!”
I had to probe as to why it took him so long to return to his baseball life.
“I have always stayed close to the game by coaching Little League, while trying to teach them to respect the game and one another. Then, while at an A’s Fantasy Camp when I was in my mid-fifties, I found out about the Tri-Valley MSBL and was thrilled!
I was 57 years old and went to an actual Tri-Valley tryout. After throwing, fielding, running, and hitting, the Mets manager threw me a jersey, and I played for them that afternoon. The rest, as they say, is history.”
What do you find special about the Tri-Valley MSBL?
“Every Saturday morning, I look forward to being with my baseball family and spending three hours not thinking about anything but baseball and my friends on the other team. The interaction is priceless.
The league has an open practice every Thursday, and about 18 guys show up from various teams. It is a special place shared by players who share the love of the game.
I would also like to thank all the managers I have played for over the last 10 years. They gave me the opportunity to play the game I love: Panos Lagos, Ben Cabanas, Angelo Crudale, Pat Caroll, Skip Stephens, Art Sears, Jim Frenn, Chris Gillespie, Dave Currie, Scott Kawaguchi, Jeff Breglio, and Denny Brown.
Any special moments or final thoughts?
“My dad and his neighbor started a softball team that lasted 40 years and survived the generations, but one game sticks out. There was one day when my dad, me and my brother, and my two boys were all on the same field together. It certainly rivals hitting for the cycle.
My dad is 93 years old and still with us, and he continues to tell me ‘Now remember’ every time I tell him I am going to play, because he doesn’t want me to slide and get hurt!
I can’t forget to recognize my best friend and 40-year partner, Karen. Juggling baseball in a marriage is tough. There are weekends I feel guilty for going to the field, but she never says anything because she is my biggest supporter and knows what it means to me. I love you, honey. You make all of this possible.”