May 17, 2014

Apple Jacks begin season with a hitting fury“Who are they?” wondered Paul ‘Swiss’ Geronime as his Apple Jacks’ teammates concluded a 12-run fourth inning on their way to a resounding 32-5 decision over the Minneapolis Quicksteps. Geronime’s query wasn’t surprising. After a disappointing 2013 season, the Jacks’ relentless hits and near-perfect ball handling in Saturday’s season opener at Abnet Field caught everyone by surprise. The Jacks cracked 51 hits to the Quicksteps’ 19.

Together the fourth and sixth innings produced 20 runs for the Jacks, while the normally nimble Minneapolis nine could rely only on optimism and a sense of humor. High scores are common, as players recalled a newspaper story in 1858 that Brooklyn bested New York and Hoboken 29-8. But it had been a long time since the Jacks demonstrated such prowess.

After the first game, both teams, along with several spectators, feasted on grilled meat and other tasty fare, while enjoying conversation. Even though the sun played hide-and-seek with clouds and the wind was cold and gusty at times, players seemed energized and spectators were vocal, if not rambunctious.

The midday repast, however, seemed to subdue the Jacks’ bats as they tied the Quicksteps 3-3 in the second game with Gary ‘Big Weas’ Pericak at the pitching helm.

Three of the Jacks­­—Jim ‘Scoop’ Schupbach, Joel ‘Hefty’ Affeldt, and Jason ‘Weasel’ Pericak—had 8 hits and 5 runs on the day. Dan ‘The Man’ Johnson mastered the long ball, putting up 8 hits and 3 runs, and ‘Swiss’ added 6 hits and 2 runs. The Deetz brothers were equally fierce: Samuel ‘Slim’ tallied 9 hits and 4 runs, Erik ‘Stretch’ scored 8 hits and 3 runs, and Benjamin ‘George” had 5 hits and 2 runs.

The Jacks’ captain, Bill ‘Ho hum’ Ohm, noted that last year the Jacks lost to the Quicksteps 19-0 in the season opener, so the La Crescent club was anxious to emerge the victor this year. ‘Ho hum’ gave a nod to Hefty’s syncopated pitching and the deft catching of Dan ‘Skunk’ Deetz in the win. He also acknowledged the stealthy play of Jim ‘Red’ Johnson, who jammed a finger in a rousing play at third base; later, a sawbones said it was dislocated, not broken. ‘Red’ will be better in a matter of weeks.

Prince Peter Petersilie umpired the first game and Reverend Mr. Umpire Sir, the second game. Both praised the comportment of the players, but they did levy several fines to overzealous spectators. However, several spectators contributed to the fine bucket in exchange for the lunch; at the end of the day, over $30 was collected. All players paid their respects to Lady Joan Ohm, the Jacks’ scorekeeper.