August 9 at Rochester

Apple Jacks accept a loss, but savor a win

The “toot” of a steam engine tractor and the hammering of a blacksmith echoed as the crowd gathered around the benches and shade trees. They watched men threshing oats in a nearby field and women churning butter at the homestead. As the laughter of children filled the sun-filled air, they had to blink twice to realize they were not in the 19^th century. Confounding their senses was the sight of two groups of men playing the 1860s style of base ball.

This was the idyllic scene at the Days of Yesteryear celebration in Rochester, where the La Crescent Apple Jacks won one of two games against the Roosters of Olmsted County. The Roosters prevailed 12-3 in the first match-up, while the Jacks retaliated with a 2-0 victory, bringing the Jacks’ season record to 5-6-1.

For both games, Captain Bill “Ho-hum” Ohm found himself with a 14-man roster, giving stability to the Jacks’ lineup. In the first game, the Roosters swung for 21 hits and the Jacks tallied 19, spreading the hits throughout the lineup but amassing too few in each inning. And while the runs were elusive, Jim “Red” Johnson had a fine day at the plate with 3 hits, and Dan “The Man” Johnson, Jason “Weasel” Pericak, and Erik “Stretch” Deetz used their speed to score the three runs.

In the first game, the Roosters hit the ball to gaps in the Jacks’ defense, but the Jacks closed ranks in the second outing. Both teams tallied 8 hits, but the Jacks were able to sew the pieces together for a pair of runs. Ohm joined the lineup at the end of the second game, seeing his hit turn into a double thanks to Red Johnson’s swift pinch running. The Man Johnson and Benjamin “George” Deetz rang up the Jacks’ two aces.

Joel “Hefty” Affeldt pitched steady games and, on a key play, he made a quick run and long reach into foul territory for an out-producing catch. The responsive spectators cheered and whistled. His younger son, Sawyer “Soy Sauce” Affeldt, did a solid turn at mascot (bat boy).

Both clubs took play seriously, but allowed the nostalgia of the day to lighten the mood. Sir Fines Alot, the umpire, captivated the spectators with colorful explanations of the game, but was quick to observe several Rooster players ogling a woman’s shapely legs and tersely fined the whole team for ungentlemanly behavior. Hushed gasps and some chuckles emanated from the spectator seating.

Ohm noted that the Jacks’ longest rivalry is with the Roosters, who were established in 1997, while the Jacks first played in 2004. The camaraderie between the two clubs has always been strong, and Ohm credited the Roosters’ current captain, Corky “Goose” Gaskell, for continuing an atmosphere that respects the game and its players, but embraces their serendipity.