Nearly five decades later, foes become teammates in Men’s Senior Baseball World Series

In 1972, Tom Pomatto helped the Putnam County baseball team to its first state tournament berth.

On the way to state, the Panthers defeated Dundee-Crown in the Elgin Sectional.

With the NewsTribune article on Putnam County’s 6-3 victory is a photo depicting Pomatto racing toward home plate about to be tagged out by Dundee-Crown catcher John Whitehouse.

Nearly five decades later, Pomatto and Whitehouse found each other on the same field once again.

This time, the old foes were teammates on the Chicago Fire in the Men’s 65-and-over Senior Baseball World Series in Arizona.

Pomatto and Whitehouse, who played against each other in previous Men’s Senior Baseball World Series, were batterymates in three games as Pomotto is a pitcher and Whitehouse is a catcher.

“I joke that I beat him that day (in 1972) but in two subsequent games, he’s beaten me twice,” Pomatto said. “That’s why I like to have him on my team. I don’t have to pitch against him anymore.”

Pomatto and Whitehouse helped the Chicago Fire reach the championship game, where they lost to the Minnesota Bandits, 4-0.

Pomatto was on the mound while Whitehouse was behind the plate.

“I was locked in a pitchers duel as we both gave up six hits and pitched complete games,” Pomatto said. “Minnesota scored three runs in the third inning aided by two balls lost in the sun.”

Pomatto and Whitehouse connected several years ago when a friend of Pomatto’s, Steve Derubeis, met Whitehouse’s brother, Bob, at White Sox Fantasy Camp and became friends.

Putnam County came up in a conversation between Derubeis and Bob Whitehouse, and Bob recalled the name from the 1972 sectional.

Derubeis introduced Pomatto and Bob Whitehouse since they all have homes in Arizona, and Pomatto eventually met John Whitehouse, who comes to Arizona to visit his brother and play in the Men’s Senior Baseball World Series.

“One of the things I like about playing Men’s Senior Baseball is the guys I meet along the way,” said Pomatto, who added he’ll occasionally play against a former Major Leaguer. “I’ve met many friends in the last several years playing ball.”

Pomatto said he’s grateful he’s still able to play baseball at 67.

“I’m very blessed. I say that all the time,” Pomatto said. “I feel like I’ve gotten a mulligan. I had several years where I didn’t play. The big thing we need to do is make sure we’re healthy enough. We have to take care of our bodies and avoid injuries. It’s easier said than done. I feel like I can still compete. My arm feels great. I pitched last week in another tournament and probably threw about 150 pitches over seven innings. It was a lot. Sometimes it takes the body a little bit of time to recover.

“We’re lucky to be playing. We’re lucky to be healthy. The competition, even though the age group is a little older, it’s still at a pretty good level. The game is just a little bit slower, that’s all.”