June 4 at McKee Park in Fitchburg, WI

Creston Regulators 10, Apple Jacks 2

Milwaukee Cream Citys 11, Creston Regulators 10

Milwaukee Cream Citys 9, Apple Jacks 7

Deetz is fierce against foul tips

In the 1860s game of base ball, the catcher position is not often seen as glamorous. He doesn’t tell the pitcher what to throw. He doesn’t use a mitt or glove. He simply stands several feet behind home base, waiting for the ball to escape the batter. However, in the case of Dan “Skunk” Deetz, the catcher is much more than what he seems.

Deetz, a seasoned player with the Apple Jacks Base Ball Club of La Crescent, doesn’t always play at the catcher position. When he does, however, he moves like a cat with agility and speed, diving and tumbling in pursuit of a foul tip and giving his team a defensive advantage.

When caught on the fly from the batter’s wood or on a subsequent bounce, a foul tip is an out, which is a boon to a team’s defense and a bane to the offense. And because these balls can occur anywhere in foul territory, the catcher must anticipate and react quickly. He may need to cover a lot of ground in a few seconds’ time, which is Deetz's forte.

Deetz exhibits keen judgment not only about the direction of the ball, but also about his ability to avoid trees, spectators, benches and chairs. Against the Milwaukee Cream Citys on Saturday, Deetz managed to slice through a line of players waiting their turn at bat; after a somersaulting move, he came up with the ball, which garnered cheers and whistles from all those assembled at McKee Park in Fitchburg, WI.

Because the catcher can see the whole field, Deetz is acutely aware of the effect a hit will have on the runners on base. He’s ready for any opportunity to thwart the offense. Like the rest of the Jacks, Deetz carries out his duties with earnestness and a hearty team spirit, for there is no room in base ball for grandiosity.

On Saturday, Deetz’s efforts saved several runs against the Apple Jacks and helped the Jacks showcase their overall defensive strengths.