July 28 at Roosters Festival
The Jacks lost to the high-spirited Roosters 15-3 during the Roosters Classic Vintage Base Ball Festival. A Civil War encampment enhanced the historic atmosphere, with the Jacks participating for the ninth consecutive year. Alas, the Jacks suffered another defeat by the Afton Red Stockings, 11-4, in their afternoon game.
Losses aside, the Jacks displayed stunning defensive moves. The Jacks’ proficient ball handling, evidenced by snappy infield play and sprawling catches in the outfield, caused the Roosters’ pitcher to exclaim, “Watch out boys, the Apple Jacks came to play today.”
Adept at placing men on base, the Jacks nonetheless could not get them home. The first three batters in the Jacks’ lineup—Mike “Ought to be” Schott, Benjamin “George” Deetz, and Bryan “Smalls” Hove—gave the Jacks needed momentum, accounting for almost all the Jacks’ aces (runs).
However, both the Roosters and the Red Stockings matched the Jacks defensively; offensively the Jacks’ opponents were able to send balls into far left field and into the right field hay bales, which added to their scores. Jacks’ captain Bill “Ho-hum” Ohm says that his players are eager to seek retribution August 4 against the Roosters, but that the two clubs have as much respect for the game as each other.
KUDOS
To "Rook" for facing down the hay bales.
To "Skunk" at bat, left) for his ace.
To "Preacher" for gliding over spectators to catch balls.
To "JJ" the first timer and "Geronimo" who keeps coming back for more.
To "Swiss" and "Jack Rabbit" for getting banged up.
To "Whitey" for mighty steady pitching.
28 July 2012 at Schmitt Field, Rochester
