June 25 in Mankato

stead, a light mist kept umbrellas at hand and the grassy field slippery. The temperatures remained cool as gray clouds overpowered the sky; on land, the Arlington Greys and the Mankato Baltics overtook the La Crescent Apple Jacks in two 9-inning games of 1860s base ball. The Greys edged the Jacks 4-1 in their third such meeting in four years. Both clubs showed some ginger with their ball handling and sharp defensive plays. The 9-inning match-up was also a showcase for pitching, as the balls were expertly shoveled to the strikers at home base. The Greys, however, were able to string together enough daisy cutters to accumulate the four aces and win the contest.

The Greys defeated the Mankato Baltics earlier in the day to take home the trophy for the Baltics’ Inaugural Tournament. The Baltics are sponsored by the Blue Earth County Historical Society.

The Baltics, perhaps rested from their earlier game, played energetically and purposefully to best the Apple Jacks 10-2. The Jacks sustained their defensive fervor but their bats were beset by infield hits and the Baltics’ accurate throws to first base. The Jacks’ captain Bill “Ho-hum” Ohm pitched steady and accurate, as he did in the first game.

Paul “Swiss” Geronime scored the lone run in the Jacks’ loss to the Greys and one of two aces in the second contest. He caught a sky ball on the run for the final out in the fifth inning against the Baltics, causing the rooters to cheer in appreciation. Swiss has been a member of the Apple Jacks since 2006.

Play from all three clubs was respectful, and there were no injuries related to the wet grass and no disputes leading to fines. The umpire proved to be a milquetoast who was prone to admiring his polka-dot bow tie instead of calling foul balls and keeping children off the playing field. The tallykeepers from each club squared away their records and kept the umpire up-to-date on the inning and score.

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