Jacks' season starts with a bang by Bill Ohm
The Apple Jacks Vintage Base Ball Team of La Crescent opened the season on a beautiful but windy Saturday afternoon at Old Hickory Park. Playing by the base ball rules of 1860, the Jacks defeated the Roosters of Olmsted County 11-9 in the first contest. The locals started with five aces in the very first inning. They went on to build a 9-1 lead after four innings. Their good defense led by shortstop Mike "Mickey" Jaquette was a great factor. The Roosters then came storming back with five runs in the fifth and three in the eighth. But at the end of the match, the Jacks remained on top. The Roosters did not stop their storming ways in the second match. By scoring 11 aces in the first inning, they effectively put the match away. The final score was 18-3.
Leading the Jacks through both matches by reaching base seven times was Samuel "Roundabout" Deetz. On base four times were "Mickey", Scott "Roman" Pechacek, Evan "To Buck" Pechacek, James, "Rose" Pechacek and Stephanie "Stitch" Pechacek. Dave "Crash" Carlson was on base three times and Jason "Weasel" Pericak and captain Joel "Hefty" Affeldt were on twice. Dan "Skunk" Deetz also participated in the first match.
The umpiring was done by Mark "Sir Fines a Lot" Bilderback, Joan "Lady Joan" Ohm kept track of aces and Bill "Ho-hum" Ohm served as photographer.
The Apple Jacks next matches will be on Friday, May 31st at Dream Acres Farm near Wykoff, MN starting at 6:00 PM and Saturday, June 1st at La Crescent starting at noon. The opponent on both days will be the Fillmore Fungi.
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 Area Historical Society. Their major sponsor is ESB Banking & Insurance.