August 1 at Rochester

Bats get hot as Jacks win two

Hall of Fame sportswriter Henry Chadwick described fielding as "the true criterion of excellence in base ball.” Observers of Saturday’s games at Schmitt Field in Rochester would fervently disagree. Batting ruled the day as the Apple Jacks Base Ball Club of La Crescent brought home two victories.

The Apple Jacks overcame the Minneapolis Quicksteps 9-6 and then overpowered the Chicago Salmon 17-8. It was the first day of a two-day festival hosted by the Roosters of Olmsted County and featuring 7 different Midwest ball clubs and 2 women’s teams in 55-minute games. Given the time limit, the intensity of play was palpable for the throng of spectators gathered under shade trees and umbrellas away from the scorching sun.

The first game was a fast-paced 6 innings with the Jacks tallying 23 hits to the Quicksteps’ 19. The Jacks connected solidly with the ball to run up 5 aces (runs) in the first inning. The Quicksteps scored 2 in the first and then scattered a few more before tying the Jacks in the fifth. In the final inning, Steve “Whitey” Geronime ignited a run of hits, which clinched the win for the Jacks.

RIGHT: Jim "Scoop" Schupbach has the ball before "Rosie" can reach first.

The Jacks’ bats got hotter against the Chicago nine, producing 24 hits to the 16 notched by the Salmon. Beset by the intense heat of the day and fatigue, the Salmon nonetheless persevered, rallying for three aces in the last inning. It wasn’t enough, however, as the Jacks stretched their winning streak to five, gratifying captain Bill "Ho-hum" Ohm.

Clearly, opponents’ pitching suited the Jacks, especially Joel “Hefty” Affeldt and Scott “Sails” Pechacek who each had 6 hits on the day. Both men sent balls hurtling through the air to the outer reaches of the expansive field. Benjamin “George” Deetz dazzled the crowd with his speed and nifty catches in left field, upholding Chadwick’s view of fielding. Kevin “Mover” Geronime and “Whitey” added to the Jacks’ balanced play with consistent pitching.

Long way to left field