Baseball's past replayed

Quicksteps edge Defenders, 3-2, in 'Glorious Fourth' celebration

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

FAIRFAX -- We used no mattress on our hands, no cage upon our face. We stood right up and caught the ball with courage and with grace.

Such was mid-nineteenth century baseball which was very foreign to the Fort Ridgely Defenders at first at the "Glorious Fourth" celebration Saturday at Fort Ridgely State Park.

The rules were different then. A base runner overran first base and was tagged out. Batters tried to hit the ball high and deep only to make easy fly outs as fielders grabbed the soft rubber ball on one bounce. Bases were 90 feet apart instead of 60.

Surviving a fierce ninth-inning rally, the Quicksteps of St. Paul edged the Fort Ridgely Defenders (mostly a group of over 40 area players), 3-2 Saturday.

The Quicksteps -- dressed in 1860 baseball regalia -- took advantage of the game's unique characteristics for a 2-0 lead after one inning.

The Defenders pulled within 2-1 in the second inning when Fritz "Sailor" Busch scored a run and rang the bell at the scorer's table. He lined a hard shot off the pitcher's shins to reach base.

Baseball protocol of days gone by came to the forefront in the middle of the game when a wild Defender throw from third base bounced into a lawn chair of a Quicksteps female fan.

The umpire called time and told the third baseman to apologize to the woman. He obliged by taking off his hat and running up to the woman before apologizing and checking to see if she was unhurt. It appeared she was ok.

The Quicksteps led 3-1 in the top of the ninth inning when the Defenders rallied. Larry Helget scored to make the score 3-2 before the game ended on a double play with the bases loaded.

A batted ball was caught by the catcher on one bounce for one out. He touched home and the the umpire -- Quicksteps Manager Bob Tholkes -- called the runner at third base out.

"I don't know about that one," Defender player-coach Randy Krzmarzick said. He talked briefly with the umpire before the game was over.

The Quicksteps lined up and shouted three "hip, hip, huzzahs" and raised their hats. The Defenders did likewise and the teams shook hands and shared a post-game barbeque.

Krzmarzick issued a challenge to the Quicksteps of another game next July Fourth weekend if they wished. The Quicksteps sounded interested in returning for another game. Last year, the Defenders topped the St. Paul team 6-2 with a team more capable of hitting the long ball into the tall grass beyond the playing field.

Tholkes said the Quicksteps enjoyed playing at Fort Ridgely. The fort was built in 1953. It was attacked by the Dakota Indians Aug. 20 & 22, 1962 during the U.S.-Dakota War. The fort was abandoned in 1867.

The State of Minnesota purchased 5 acres of it in 1896 to dedicate a monument to the defenders of Fort Ridgely. The State purchased 148 acres and established the state park in 1911.

"We love coming here," Tholkes said. "It's very historic. The guys here are very sportsmanlike and loyal. Randy (Krzmarzick) is eager to get a team together. We'd love to come back."

Earlier in the day, Don and Bobbi Schultz of Pine City were among visitors that enjoyed the Fourth celebration at the Fort Ridgely Interpretive center. The Schultz' took a horse-drawn wagon ride through the nearby horse camp.

The couple visited the Harkin Store after spending the night in New Ulm. They learned about Fort Ridgely while at the Harkin Store and decided to visit.

"Since my last name is German, we decided to visit New Ulm and the area," Don Schultz said. "We're glad we did. New Ulm is really a quaint town and the area is so historical. We have a fort in Pine City too, so we wanted to visit the fort here too."

Schultz was also intrigued by the Harkin Store.

"It's like they shut the door and left it 140 years ago," Schultz said. "We hope to visit Schell's Brewery too. We'd like to sample the beer."

The Harkin Store will host a parade with the New Ulm Battery and Minnesota Valley Lutheran Brass Band at 1 p.m. Sunday. Afternoon activities include a cannon salute, speech by Charles Griebel, patriotic concert by the Brass Band, accordion playing by Bob Anderson of St. James, buggy rides and cannon firing until 4 p.m.

For more information, call the Harkin Store at 354-8666. The store is located 9 miles northwest of New Ulm on Nicollet County Highway 21.