“Juiced” ball negates home run

By Bill Ohm

After the afternoon’s first base ball game between the Apple Jacks of La Crescent and the Quicksteps of Minneapolis, some players wanted to play with a harder ball – it travels further. After examining the proposed ball that was approved by both team captains , umpire, Bill “Mr. Playfair” Ohm commented that a LOT more runs were going to be scored in the upcoming contest. The base ball rules of 1860 allow a lot of latitude with the manufacture of base balls. The first batter, Erik “Stretch” Deetz hit the ball a mile into left field for a home run. The next batter, Jon “Numbers” Jones also hit the ball solidly and for an unusually long double. It was quickly decided to restart the game with a ball with less “juice”, thus costing “Stretch” his home run and “Numbers” his double.

The biggest reason of concern was the safety of spectators and passersby. The game was being played in St. Charles at their Gladiolus Days Festival at the Winona County Fairgrounds and there were a lot of people wandering around including one woman who walked across the field of play twice (coming and going) absolutely oblivious to the danger. Safety first! When the final out was recorded, the Apple Jacks won the second game 11-4. They also won the first game. That score was 9-3.

Leading all Apple Jacks in reaching base was “Stretch” , reaching seven times. Reaching five times were “Randal “Spud” Flamm, Samuel “Roundabout” Deetz, Jason “Weasel” Pericak and Scott “Roman” Pechacek.

The day’s participants were Joel “Hefty” Affeldt, Dave “Crash” Carlson, “Stretch”, “Roundabout”, “Spud”, Mike “Mickey” Jaquette, “Roman”, Gary “Big Wease” Pericak, ”Weasel” and John “Kingpin” Pesch. The Umpires were “Mr. Playfair” and Rich “Aces” ArpI of the Quicksteps, tally keeper was Joan “Lady Joan” Ohm and team photographer was Bill Ohm.

The Apple Jacks play in Highland Prairie on September 10th and at La Crescent on September 16^th. Please note that the times have changed for the La Crescent matches. The first game will be at 10:30 AM with two more games at about 90 minute intervals. Admission is free, but bring a lawn chair.

Jacks relax between games with Gladiolus Days goodies “Mickey” hits a fly ball to right for a base hit