Above: Scott “Roman” Pechacek, pitching for the Apple Jacks
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June 5 in Wykoff
Base ball, pizza and hail!
by Bill “Ho-hum” Ohm
It was a beautiful evening for base ball at Dream Acres Farm in Wykoff, Minnesota. The Vintage Base Ball Club of La Crescent took on the Fillmore Fungi for another exciting game by the rules of 1860.
One of the great things about playing at Dream Acres is that they sell delicious pizza, which was enjoyed by many people, including players.
The match, however, did not go the way the Apple Jacks had hoped. Despite scoring two aces in the top of the first, the Jacks were never able to lead again. The Fungi scored 14 aces in their half of the first game and went on to a 29-7 victory. The Jacks will get several more chances to avenge matters later this season.
The Rest of the Story ...
Leaving the beautiful Dream Acres venue, we were struck by the gorgeous sunset in the west (where else?). However, La Crescent was to the east where large black clouds loomed. About half-way home, the storm hit: heavy rain, high winds and hail. Caution called for a short pause along the road until things calmed down a bit. The second attempt at getting home also featured heavy rain, high winds, and hail, along with darkness, a construction zone, and lengthy downgrade making it an interesting journey to say the least. Ultimately we prevailed and came home safely.
Participating for the Apple Jacks were the following: Captain Joel “Hefty” Affeldt, Jared “Bear” Alexander, Mike “Mickey” Jaquette, Jason “Kraken” Kluck, Scott “Roman” Pechacek and Gary “Big Wease” Pericak. To complete the nine, the “G Squad” (Granny, Grifter and Grinch) was recruited from the crowd of spectators. Joan “Lady Joan” Ohm tallied the aces and Cletus “Mule” Muelle was the umpire.
What’s Ahead?
The next appearance of the Apple Jacks will be at 11:30 am on Saturday, June 20, in Menomonie, Wisconsin where they will face two clubs: the Afton Red Socks and the Menomonie Blue Caps.
The Jacks will open at home at 12 Noon on Sunday, June 28, against the Deep River Grinders of Hobart, Indiana and the Rum River Rovers of East Bethel, Minnesota.
Just a reminder that this is base ball as it was meant to be played. Admission is free, but bring a lawn chair for your comfort, beverage and snacks for your enjoyment, and sunscreen for your protection.
The Apple Jacks are always looking for new players. The current roster includes men and women of high school age to players past retirement age. To join the fun, please contact, either Captain Joel “Hefty” Affeldt at 608-769-1782 or joel.affeldt@dsgsupply.com or Bill “Ho-hum” Ohm at 507-895-6912 or ohm@acegroup.cc.
The Apple Jacks Base Ball Club is a community outreach program of the La Crescent Area Historical Society. ESB Banking and Insurance of La Crescent is a major sponsor.
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Let’s Play Two by Bill “Ho-hum” Ohm
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Except for the wind blowing dust across the infield, it was such a beautiful Saturday afternoon in East Bethel, Minnesota, that the Apple Jacks Vintage Base Ball Club of La Crescent opened its season by playing two.
Both matches saw the Apple Jacks start off with three aces in the first inning. The similarity ended there. The first adversary was the Fillmore Fungi from Rushford. The Fungi matched the Jacks’ three aces with three of their own in the first. The Fungi then went on to score in every inning but the second for a total of 18 aces. The Jacks managed only eight.
The Apple Jacks fared better in the second match. This time their adversary was the combined St. Croix/Quicksteps team from the Stillwater/Minneapolis area. After the aforementioned three first-inning aces, the Jacks erupted for eight aces in the third to put the match away. Final score was 22-2.
As is the custom in Minnesota vintage base ball, the games were played by the rules of 1860, which are posted on the Jacks’ website.
Participating for the Apple Jacks were the following players: Captain Joel “Hefty” Affeldt, Shane “Cowboy” Carlson, Mike “Mickey” Jaquette, Elizabeth “Arrow” Jensen, Bert “The Runt” Kimman, Parker “Fuzz” O’Hara and Kate “Shep” Shepardson. Augmenting the roster were Two-bit and Smug from the East Bethel Rum River Rovers and Kojak from the Menomonie Blue Caps.
The next appearance of the Apple Jacks will be at 6:15 pm on Friday, June, at Dream Acres Farm near Wykoff, Minnesota where they will once again face the Fungi of Fillmore. The Jacks will open at home at Noon on Sunday, June 28, against the Deep River Grinders of Hobart, Indiana.
The Jacks hope to see you at Old Hickory Park this season to watch base ball as it was meant to be played. Admission is free, but bring a lawn chair for your comfort, beverage and snacks for your enjoyment and sunscreen for your protection.
The Apple Jacks are always looking for new players. The current roster includes players of high school age to players past retirement age. Three women are on the roster. To join the fun, please contact, either Captain Joel “Hefty” Affeldt at 608-769-1782 or joel.affeldt@dsgsupply.com or Bill “Ho-hum” Ohm at 507-895-6912 or ohm@acegroup.cc.
The Apple Jacks Base Ball Club is a community outreach program of the La Crescent Area Historical Society. ESB Banking and Insurance of La Crescent is a major sponsor.
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What’s Ahead?
The next appearance of the Apple Jacks will be at 11:30 am on Saturday, June 20, in Menomonie, Wisconsin where they will face two clubs: the Afton Red Socks and the Menomonie Blue Caps.
The Jacks will open at home at 12 Noon on Sunday, June 28, against the Deep River Grinders of Hobart, Indiana and the Rum River Rovers of East Bethel, Minnesota.
The Jacks hope to see you at Old Hickory Park this season to watch base ball as it was meant to be played. Admission is free, but bring a lawn chair for your comfort, beverage and snacks for your enjoyment, and sunscreen for your protection.
The Apple Jacks are always looking for new players. The current roster includes men and women of high school age to players past retirement age. To join the fun, please contact, either Captain Joel “Hefty” Affeldt at 608-769-1782 or joel.affeldt@dsgsupply.com or Bill “Ho-hum” Ohm at 507-895-6912 or ohm@acegroup.cc.
The Apple Jacks Base Ball Club is a community outreach program of the La Crescent Area Historical Society. ESB Banking and Insurance of La Crescent is a major sponsor.