August 22 at home

Patsy Oliver tried out for the Rockford Peaches, a women's professional baseball team that played from 1943 through 1954 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She didn’t make the team because of her small size, but she had buckets of talent. Saturday, she watched a much older version of the beloved game at Abnet Field and was saluted by captain Joel “Hefty” Affeldt (below) and the rest of the Apple Jacks Base Ball Club of La Crescent.

Oliver was among a genial group of spectators who cheered for the 1860s base ball players on a glorious afternoon at Abnet Field. The Roosters of Olmsted County defeated the Apple Jacks 8-5 and the Northfield MN Silver Stars 10-5, while the Apple Jacks overpowered the Silver Stars 12-4.

This year the Roosters have been in fine form with consistent defensive play and hits when they are needed, especially in late innings. This was the case on Saturday as the Apple Jacks led the Roosters 3-1 after four innings, but saw the Rochester nine tie it up a few innings later. Like blacksmiths at a forge, the Roosters hammered together seven hits in the final inning for an 8-5 victory over the Jacks. The Roosters also trailed the Silver Stars early in their game, but tallied seven runs in the final inning to win that contest.

Against the Silver Stars, the Jacks didn’t wait for the final inning. Instead, they scored solidly in five innings, piling up 24 hits to produce the final 12 aces. Prince Peter Petersilie, the Jacks’ umpire, oversaw all three matches and levied a total of $2.25 in fines, mainly to enthusiastic spectators.

All three teams had to adjust their batting strategies due to brisk and boisterous wind gusts. The Jacks reached base by hitting daisy cutters or balls over the fence. Samuel “Slim” Deetz tallied four hits and one ace (run) for the day, while his father, Dan “Skunk” Deetz tallied two hits and two aces. Scott “Sails” Pechacek notched two runs and two aces, as did Jason “Weasel” Pericak. The Jacks’ affable pitcher, Gary “Big Weas” Pericak, excited the crowd by scampering to third base on defensive errors, which earned him two hits and two aces on the day.

Saturday’s games were wholesome and unpretentious base ball. The banter between adversaries was more like sibling rivalry: light and often self-effacing. But the grass stains on white shirts, caps flying in the air, and black pants dusted with the infield were testament to the fierce determination players give to the game, making Patsy Oliver feel right at home.