Capahas Reunion Game will benefit St. Jude

Jess Bolen estimates he has probably managed close to 1,000 players during his lengthy Hall of Fame career directing the Plaza Tire Capahas.

Not nearly that many will be at Capaha Field on Sunday, but at least 40 of Bolen's former players -- along with a few who spent time with the team before Bolen took over -- are expected to attend the Capahas' reunion game that will serve as a benefit for St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

Activities will get under way at 5 p.m. with a meet-and-greet. A modified game featuring the former Capahas players will start between 6 and 6:30 p.m.

"I'm really looking forward to this. It should be a lot of fun," said Bolen, in his 47th season as the Capahas' manager. "You don't have these reunion games all that often [the last one was in 2008] and it's going to be great to get a lot of the old players together. It's been a while since I've seen a lot of them.

"I think our fans are really going to enjoy it. This is really for the fans, seeing the guys again, standing around and talking. And it's going to be for a great cause. I really believe in St. Jude Hospital. I think everybody does. We all love baseball and we all love kids. That's a great combination."

Everybody participating in the event will make a donation and fans are also encouraged to donate, with all proceeds going to St. Jude. Free food and soft drinks will be provided by the Southeast Missouri Central Labor Council.

"Plaza Tire is sponsoring this and they're totally behind us. They gave us a bunch of wheel alignments and oil changes and stuff like that, and we'll try to get donations for those," Bolen said. "We appreciate the Southeast Missouri Central Labor Council for the food and drinks. That's a big help. Any money we can raise will be great. We're trying to raise as much money as possible. Every single penny raised will go to St. Jude."

The tentative list of former Capahas who plan to attend Sunday includes Mark Amick, Kieth Boeller, Cory Crosnoe, Rex Crosnoe, Paul D'Amico, Lanson DeBrock, Derek Dirnberger, Tim Ellis, Cliff Ford, Josh Ford, Kevin Ford, Walter "Doc" Ford, Wayne Ford, David Gross, Trae Hastings, Don Hopper, Seth Hudson; Larry Kitchen, Larry Kitchen, Paul Kitchen, Terry Kitchen, Steve Kress, Jeff Landgraf, Scott Little, Shayn Mabury, Britt McConnell, Dustin McKinnis, Blake Miller, Joey Radetic, Mark Simmons, Darrick Smith, Steve Volkerding, Scott Wachter, Rick Wieser, Roger Williams, Steve Williams and Gary Wren.

Any former Capahas player wishing to participate should call Rick Wieser at 335-1335, Darrick Smith at 334-4453, Jess Bolen at 979-1786 or Mary Bolen at 979-1089.

Jess Bolen said all former Capahas are also welcome to simply show up for the event Sunday.

"We tried to call as many former players as we could but there's no way we could call all of them," Bolen said. "Anybody wanting to participate, just come on out Sunday."