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Patriot Night at the Ballpark, the Sequel
They say a sequel is never as good as the first time, but Keith Rahe, founder and manager of the Ghost Players, made sure everyone had a great time.
The ghost’s were back at Jenk Field at the Dyersville Commercial Club Park as were the US Military All Stars’ baseball team. The stands held friends, family and fans from near and far -- all eager to celebrate the brave, the loyal, and the free. Those Heroes of the Diamond are truly heroes in our hearts.
Coach Dennis Rima and Matt Wagner (Harry Carey Impersonator) called the game and lead the fans as they cheered. Special guests that night were the ballplayers from The Dubuque County American Legion Baseball Team, champions of the state of Iowa. The team was honored during pre-game ceremonies. The team is coached by Ghost Players Marv Maiers and Ron (Hank) Lucas and the whole audience cheered at the accomplishments of these young players. Who knows, there may even be a few future Ghost Players in their dugout?
Dennis Rima “had a great time just getting to see the guys, getting to have a beautiful night in the ball park, getting to have a pleasant family event and getting to experience the powerful flag ceremony honoring our patriots—you couldn’t ask for more.”
Many thanks go to those fans that traveled from across the states to participate in the excitement. Of special note were Earl Finkler and Darrin Butland, two of the contributing authors of the Ghost Player book, Travels with Ghosts and Other Tales. Another long distance traveler was Tony Scherrman. Tony started with the Ghost Players and traveled as a Ghost on the first Japan Tour and on many stateside events, including Chisholm MN.
“What a thrill,” Tony Scherrman remarked, “To be with Poppa Joe and the Ghost Player team again. Hey and I got a hit and later scored by sliding into home. Not a long slide by any means, more of a collapse. Keith Rahe and the team made me feel right at home. I loved swapping stories in the dugout with the guys.”
”An emotional point was when they announced that my Dad would be throwing out the first pitch in honor of Grandpa Bill Scherrman. Grandpa served in the military and days before had passed away. He loved the Commercial Club Park where we were playing and is said to have helped make it the beautiful place it is today. It was a very special moment.”
Here is what the Dyersville Commercial had to say about the event: http://www.dyersvillecommercial.com/article.cfm?id=161631
