The public address announcer ended his pre-game duties before the Sonny Westerman Old Timers game by sharing a sentiment likely shared by a large majority of the crowd, the players and any on-call medical personnel within shouting distance of Swartz Field in Freeport Borough Thursday night.
Don’t get hurt.
Despite the best efforts of several participants, everyone made it through the game as Team Old School beat the Hoosiers, 8-4, during the Freeport International Baseball Invitational.
Team Old School member Chad Sperski, 53, hit the dirt in the fourth inning, scoring a run by sliding head-first into home plate. He wasn’t initially planning to head home but was urged to by a group of four teenage base coaches, which included his daughter.
“The four kids there sent me around third,” Sperski said. “I heard ‘Go, go, go,’ and I saw the catcher squaring up and I saw the ball coming in. I did it, and nothing happened, so I’m good to go.”
Bill Murray, 54, Natrona Heights, was the starting pitcher for the Hoosiers. He said it is inevitable for at least one person to take a spill every year.
During one of the later innings, one member of the Hoosiers tripped over second base trying to complete a force out and ended up tumbling toward the pitcher’s mound.
“You don’t master that,” said Murray, who has played in this game 15 times. “Your body never goes as fast as your mind thinks it can. It just adds to the fun of the game.”
Murray reached first to open the game, drawing a walk off Old School pitcher Nate Good. He would score on a double by Justin Bollinger. The Hoosiers plated three runs in the top of the first.
Team Old School took control in the second and third innings. TOS went ahead for good when it plated four runs in the third inning to surge ahead 6-4. Sperski, Nick Speer and Shane Dodd scored runs for Team Old School.
Dodd was one of several Australian coaches who played in the game.
Sperski, who has played in the game nine times, enjoys the event.
“I like the camaraderie with the guys,” Sperski said. “It’s an awesome time.”
Murray enjoys having the opportunity to play with his friends. He also likes getting a chance to welcome the new players.
“I like getting together with a bunch of guys I played ball with my whole life,” Murray said. “I enjoy meeting other guys from other areas whom I haven’t met before. … Getting together with these guys every year is why I do it.”
