June 2, 2013
What do a meatball, a bocce ball, and a base ball have in common? They were all featured on Sunday during Festa Italia, an outdoor festival sponsored by the Italian Workmen’s Club in the Madison, Wisconsin area. A cultural exhibit and the ancient game of bocce added a historical flair to the food vendors and musical entertainment. And, in spite of the 54 degree temperatures and brisk wind, people filled McKee Park Farms and took an interest in 1860s base ball hosted by the La Crescent Apple Jacks.
The Jacks faced the Creston, Illinois Regulators in the first of three vintage base ball games. The Regulators lived up to their names. They are focused, well-intentioned gentlemen who control the game by whacking the cover off a base ball. They proved it with a 20-6 conquest over the Apple Jacks. A bit stunned by the Regulators’ 8-0 lead and precise infield play, the Jacks nevertheless fought back in the third and fifth innings. Alas, the rally couldn’t deter the potency of the Illinois bats.
The Regulators continued their fierce hitting against the Milwaukee Grays, but this time their opponents’ rally was enough to overpower Creston. The sun emerged and the temperature rose a few degrees just as the Grays emerged victorious, 14 to 11. In the final game, the Grays put up a 6-run third inning against the Apple Jacks, leading them to an 11 to 5 victory. Prince Peter Petersilie, the Jacks’ umpire, praised both ball clubs for adhering to the rules, which resulted in a fast-paced game.
On the day, Jacks’ captain Bill “Ho-hum” Ohm and Steve “Whitey” Geronime shared pitching duties and Jim “Scoop” Schupbach caught everything thrown to him at first base. Eric “Stretch” Deetz had a stellar day with 7 hits and 3 aces, and Joel “Hefty” Affeldt tallied 2 hits and an ace against the Grays. At times, the Jacks seemed a bit rusty handling the ball, but they rolled on the ground recovering well-struck balls. These cracker jack plays elicited applause from spectator-filled bleachers.
Creston Regulators 20, La Crescent Apple Jacks 7
Milwaukee Grays 14, Creston Regulators 11
Milwaukee Grays 11, La Crescent Apple Jacks 5
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