May 18, 2013

Apple Jacks kick off 10^th season with 10^th inning victory

The lumber was hewn from ash trees and the balls were hand-stitched leather. Together they cut through the dandelions at Abnet Field as quick as a rabbit through a berry patch. On this Saturday, the men behind the wooden bats came from two states to demonstrate their striking and fielding skills, while glorifying America’s game as it was played in the 1860s.

The Apple Jacks’ 7-6 savory success over the athletic Blue Caps came at the end of the day. With the score seesawing between the two clubs, Jacks captain Bill “Ho-hum” urged his players to show some ginger on the field. The Jacks’ wily defense responded as catcher Jim “Preacher” Cumming snatched eight foul tips, including three in one inning. Not ones to swagger, the Jacks dutifully tallied three consecutive aces (runs) during a relentless tenth inning led by Samuel “Slim” Deetz, Jason “Weasel” Pericak (pictured below at bat), Joel “Hefty” Affeldt (pictured at right playing first base), and Paul “Swiss” Geronime.

Matt “Kerosene” Clark, captain of the Blue Caps, still had a smile on his face at the end of the day, knowing his nine held their own with the Jacks. The Blue Caps, in their first full season, matched the Jacks with 23 hits. Both clubs exhibited snappy infield play and a solid command of the rules. Rooters (spectators) took shelter from the sun, but cheered heartily for the Jacks and their adversaries.

Earlier in the day, the Jacks lost 19-0 to the Minneapolis club. The Quicksteps are the most experienced Minnesota vintage base ball club, having played their first game in 1994. Their bats were proficient Saturday as they ran up 32 hits against the Jacks and then 28 hits against the Blue Caps. Quicksteps Captain Rich “Aces” Arpi took the triumphs in stride as it was the first outing for all three clubs who must sustain their vigor into September.Prince Peter Petersilie, the umpire, praised the comportment of the players and reported no errant behavior or disputes; he levied fines of only $2.50 to players for cursing and uniform violations. All players tipped their caps to the efficiency of Lady Joan Ohm, the Jacks’ tallykeeper, who was using a new-fangled tallying ledger.

Game 1: Quicksteps 19, Apple Jacks 0

2+ Aces: Tom, David, Jake, Michael, Sugar, Matt, Leon

Game 2: Quicksteps 13, Blue Caps 0

2+ Aces: Rufus, Sugar, Matt, Leon

Game 3: Apple Jacks 7, Blue Caps 6 (10 innings)

Aces-Jacks: Slim 2, Weasel 2, Hefty, Swiss, Sugar

Aces-Blue Caps: Nifty, Spice 2, Watchman, Kerosene, Pick

SPECIAL THANKS to Erik "Sugar" Sjogren for playing with the Apple Jacks

KEEPING TRACK

Lady Joan Ohm, tallykeeper for the Apple Jacks, and

Bob Tholkes, manager of the Minneapolis Quicksteps.