Beer, music, rain, hail, Blue Angles and base ball
by Bill Ohm
The Apple Jacks Vintage Base Ball Team of La Crescent certainly encountered unusual conditions on a recent Saturday afternoon in Milwaukee. The Apple Jacks played as part of the Fillmore Fungi team, because only three regular Apple Jacks were available. While three players from the Apple Jack’s Milwaukee area auxiliary, joined them, it wasn’t enough. The Jacks (and Fungi) received a couple of lessons in vintage base ball. The first lesson was administered by the Milwaukee Grays to the tune of 10-5. The Oregon (IL) Ganymedes administered a second lesson of 21-2. Because of the small number of Apple Jacks present, these matches will go into the books as exhibitions.
Perhaps the Apple Jacks and Fungi could be forgiven for needing lessons because of the day’s distractions. The games were played in Milwaukee’s Estabrook park and Biergarten. Some of Milwaukee’s favorite beverage was available and was consumed as the band played on. They also endured a rain shower, including hail. The frosting on the cake was the performance of the Blue Angles as part of Milwaukee’s Air Show. So all in all a great day.
A couple of weeks before that, the Jacks traveled to Afton, Minnesota to take on the Afton Red Socks. Your local team won the first match 8-6 but lost the second 7-4.
Participating in Milwaukee were Captain Joel “Hefty” Affeldt, Jason “Kraken” Kluck and Mike “Mickey” Jaquette. Added to the roster for the day were John “Cactus Jack” Ohm, Jeff “Hook” Ohm and Finn “Ace” Ohm – a three generation grouping. Joan “Lady Joan” Ohm was the scorekeeper and Bill “Ho-hum” Ohm served as photographer.
The Afton matches were played by Jeff “Kraut” Boehmer, Mickey, Christopher “Rufus” Nelson, Garry “Big Wease” Pericak, Taylor “Lunch Box” Wanlass, Kraken, Randal “Spud” Flamm, Captain Scott “Roman” Pechacek, Elizabeth “Arrow” Jensen and “Liberty”.
The Apple Jacks were scheduled to play Mankato in Sparta, Wisconsin on July 29th. That story should be in next week’s paper. Then on August 5th onto Rushford, Minnesota to play the Milwaukee Grays and Fillmore Fungi. August 12th will see the Jacks in Rochester. They return to Old Hickory Park on August 19th.
The Apple Jacks appreciate all their fans, whether they come out to Old Hickory Park or just follow them in The Houston County News or on Facebook.
Ball players from high school (or maybe a little sooner) to beyond retirement age (male or female) are welcome to play. If you would like to play base ball the way it was meant to be played, please call Captain Joel "Hefty" Affeldt at 608-769-1782 or Manager Bill "Ho-hum" Ohm at 507-895-6912. Or contact Scott “Roman” Pechacek on Facebook.
The Apple Jacks Base Ball Club is a community outreach program of the La Crescent Historical Society. Their major sponsor is Edward Jones, Peter Congdon Financial Advisor.
This article appeared in the Houston County News at:
Hefty enjoying himself during his turn at umpiring.