Baseball fans, bidders turn out to support team

Items ranging from an autographed picture of Bozo the Clown to Southeast Missouri State University football and basketball season tickets were up for grabs at the 25th annual Craftsman Union Capahas benefit auction.

More than 50 friends, fans and bargain hunters turned out at the Osage Community Centre to show their support for the amateur baseball team's fundraiser Saturday.

"We started so long ago and have made so many friends through the years that we just keep it going," said Jess Bolen, entering his 36th year as manager of the Capahas.

Benefits from Saturday's auction will go toward the team's equipment purchases this season.

A Capahas player during the 1950s and '60s, Bolen has been afiliated with the team through parts of six decades.

Support of the Capahas, an institution since 1894, goes far beyond simply helping to buy a few baseballs and bats.

"It just wouldn't be summer without the Capahas," Kevin Phillips, local sportscaster for Zimmer Radio Group, said. "It's a real part of this community."

Ted Hahn of Cape Girardeau said he appreciates that the Capahas represent the purest values of the national pastime.

Just for the fun of it

"It's still amateur baseball being played by guys who just want to come out and play," said Hahn, a teacher. "It's one of the last bastions of the sport where you can go out on Sunday and watch a game that's not about million-dollar players."

The prevalent sentiment among workers, bidders and onlookers Saturday was their love of the Capahas and desire to contribute to the team's success and survival.

Merl Pelster of St. Charles, Mo., for instance, does his bit to help.

Pelster makes the trip back to his former hometown of Cape Girardeau to serve as auctioneer. He and wife, Carol, who performs the duty of clerk, have donated their time and effort to the auction for the past 15 years, as have many others.

It's all about keeping an institution alive.

llewis@semissourian.com

(573) 335-6611, extension 171