Hanska revives old-time spirit

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

HANSKA -- More than 50 former amateur baseball players reminisced, played a baseball game and helped celebrate the Hanlin Field grandstand dedication as part of the Hanska Centennial Saturday.

Merle Evjen, 77, of Madelia, was the oldest former ball player to turn out for the event. He played for Hanska from 1947-51.

"I played in right field, where they put the poorest players," Evjen said. "I played because they didn't have many ball players. About all we had was a pitcher, Kenny Ahlness, who signed up with a major league team and went to play for Fargo."

According to the story, Ahlness injured his arm when he was told to pitch in cold weather without warming up as much as he wanted to.

"It usually took him 20 minutes to warm up," Evjen said. "At Fargo, they told him he was getting paid for pitch and wouldn't get that much time on a cold day in the spring."

Ahlness once struck out 25 of 27 batters he faced in a league game.

Glenn Anderson of Adair, Iowa, managed the Hanska team that advanced to the state tournament in New Ulm in 1958 and St. Cloud in 1959.

In 1958, they won their first state game against Caledonia but lost by a run to Perham in the next game on what he considered a controversial call.

"One of our guys hit a ball into the outfield and their outfielder kicked it through the fence and it was ruled a ground-rule double," Anderson said.

"In 1959, Hanska lost 1-0 to Hinckley despite out-hitting them 2-1. Hinckley's pitcher just came down from the minor leagues."

Dick Blomquist of Hanska said Anderson was at Hanlin Field at 6 a.m. every Sunday morning getting it ready to play while everybody else was still sleeping.

Dick's brother Dennis of Mankato pitched for the University of Mississippi and won three conference championships. He also pitched Hanska to the district baseball title in the 1950s.

Gilbert Truax of Faribault played amateur baseball for Hanska in 1949.

"It was fantastic," Truax said. "They was a good bunch of guys. I worked for Stone Brothers Poultry Breeding Farm. I got married that summer and had to play for Madelia the next year."

Truax remembered catching a no-hit game for the late Eldon Hughes of Searles at Sleepy Eye in an exhibition game.

"This is the first time I've seen some of these fellas in 52 years," Truax said. "It's been great."

Hanska Baseball Association member Landis Froehling, who admitted he has spent much of his life at the ball park, played a big part in the Hanlin Field dedication and old-timers game. He mailed invitations to 140 former players.

The $140,000 metal and concrete grandstand was dedicated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. A joint project with the City of Hanska, the grandstand is unique with a concession stand in the middle of it. It also had aluminum seats, many of them with seat backs.

Froehling, who played and coached the Lakers to the state amateur tournament in 1995, still plays and coaches a Hanska tee ball team.

"I've got a lot of good memories from the ball park," Froehling said. "It's been real special and fun."

All eight Hanska baseball and softball teams from the tee ball team to old-time amateurs, lined up on Hanlin Field at its dedication.

Baseball board member and public address announcer Rick Gusso spoke proudly of the field at the dedication.

"We'd like to thank everybody that contributed to the park to make it one of the finest parks in Southern Minnesota," Gusso said.

Following a tee ball game, an old-timer's game was played. Younger players ran the bases for the old-timers.

Sunday Hanska Centennial events:

* a pancake breakfast in the park, 8-10 a.m. Harold and Vonnie Anderson will perform in the pancake tent.

* Big tent music starts at 9:30 am. with the Beckens.

* Food stands and display centers open at 10 a.m.

* a community church service with Norwegian pastor Ole Kristiansen is 10-11 a.m. in the big tent. The Beckens will provide special music. The offering will go to the Brown County Food Shelf.

* the Stabbur will be dedicated in the City Park at 11:15 a.m. Various dignitaries and musical groups will perform.

* the Over-60 Band will perform in concert on Broadway at noon.

* the big parade begins at 1 p.m., followed by a Veteran's Flag Memorial Dedication in the park.

* games and food will continue to be available at Hanlin Field.

* the Schell's Hobo Band and Sioux Falls' Su Fu Du Marching Band will perform on Broadway.

* the big tent will be filled with filled with entertainment including Terry Heil, the Syttende Mai performers, Norvold Sisters, Salty Dogs, Hanska's Harmony Band No. 2 and others.

* the centennial quilt drawing will be held at 4 p.m. in the big tent in the park. Flower baskets decorating the park will also be sold.