When the Jitterbugs threw anchor in Schuyler - this time a full hour before gametime - our reputation had preceded us. Due to the crack work of our team's PR corps, the Jitterbugs made it on the front page of the Schuyler weekly a few days earlier, which brought not only one of the largest crowds we've had so far, but a crowd that came bearing stories and photos from the halcyon days of Nebraska town team ball.
One gentleman, Marvin, who played for Schuyler back in the 40s, regaled us with tales from that era, including a wince-worthy anecdote about breaking his finger while catching and then having the break mis-set by a doctor, leaving the upper digits forever canted to the right, like a telephone pole cracked by a tornado. He also mentioned that ballplayers back in their league in the 40s didn't play with cups. Do the Jitterbugs love this? Yes. The Jitterbugs give toughness two bruised thumbs up.
On the mound the Jitterbugs had our veteran pitcher, Mark Demmel, who put in five solid innings, keeping Schuyler at bay while our offensive steadily put runs on the board. RBIs by Mitch, Luke, and Lucas gave the Jitterbugs a 3-0 lead by the end of the first inning, and from there, we never looked back. In the field, the Jitterbugs made play after play, led by Nick Dolan, whose glove is currently being studied by the Hoover Vacuum Company. With Jeff Backemeyer's RBIs in the fourth and sixth, plus four strike-outs for closer Mitch, we had multiple-run league the whole game, finally winning 8-4.
All of the Schuyler fans were tremendously gracious, and after the game the field umpire even offered us his yard to use as a postgame party site. It was an offer we couldn't refuse. Our fans brought meat and snacks, including Andrew Minarick's own Oatmeal Chews, hereafter Jitterbug Bars. During the festivities, the teenaged son of our host walked us down his street until it dead-ended in a ring of trees, with a large private lake beyond, a lit fountain at its center. "That's where the richest man in town lives," he said, his eyes wide and clear. "Over in that mansion on the other side of the lake." In the mid-evening of a summer night in the middle West, with bottlerocket sulphur and the savor of grilled meat hanging in the air, it was a moment Bruce Springsteen would have smiled on.
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3 comments:
Vivid story, especially the part about Cupless Marvin. He's lucky it was only his fingers that are forever canted in one direction.
Great baseball coverage and excellent descriptions of surroundings and other events. It's as if we're there with you. We're waiting for the July 4th entry and more pictures of the team. Good luck on the next 2 games!
Susan
Really enjoy the updates and the entertaining coverage of the trip. We got to see one game. A real treat.
Bruce
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