Capahas' 'old-timers' to gather for game

Jess Bolen can't remember exactly when the Plaza Tire Capahas baseball team last held an old-timers game.

That has him excited for Saturday night, when a host of former Capahas standouts will gather for a 7 p.m. contest.

The event at Capaha Field will be as much about swapping stories and catching up on old times as the actual game.

"It's going to be a lot of fun for me, seeing all these guys," said Bolen, in his 42nd season as manager of what is believed to be the nation's oldest amateur baseball team. "I'm really looking forward to it."

Rick Wieser, who played for the Capahas from 1976 to 1984, is one of Bolen's former charges who has helped organize the old-timers game.

Wieser said 32 former Capahas have committed to participate. More could show up Saturday.

"All those guys were tremendous players," said Bolen, himself a former Capahas player who said he might even get into the game despite being 66 years old.

A laughing Bolen said he doesn't know how much he could still get done on the field, but if he's encouraged by enough people, "I might get out there and do something."

Wieser is sure the encouragement for Bolen will be there.

"We're going to try and make sure Jess bats," said Wieser, a former Southeast Missouri State quarterback who also played baseball at the university.

Wieser said every attempt will be made to divide up the teams fairly equal. He said the goal is to "shoot for a five-inning game."

For those who don't want to play, Wieser said, "we'll have them be the coaches."

Wieser plans to add spice to the contest by attempting a unique feat.

"I'm going to try to play every position," he said. "That's my gimmick. I don't know that it's ever been done before in an old-timers game."

Wieser is more certain of one thing -- the night should prove to be enjoyable for everybody involved.

"It should be a fun night," he said. "Everybody I've talked to is really excited.'