Capahas reunite at charity event

They came to see old friends, swap stories, raise money for a good cause -- and even play a little baseball.

Everybody agreed a good time was had by all during Sunday evening's Plaza Tire Capahas' reunion that served as a benefit for St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

"The Capahas years were some of the greatest years of my life," said David Gross, who played for the Capahas from 1974 through 1982. "I made so many good friends, lifetime friends. It's just great to see everybody. ... You just come out here and pick up where you left off."

About 30 former Capahas players -- spanning every decade from the 1950s through the 2000s -- got together in front of several hundred appreciative fans at Capaha Field.

After a meet-and-greet session, many of the players participated in a modified five-inning old timer's game.

Rick Wieser races for home on a double by Chad Bogenpohl to score for the white team in the first inning of the Capahas reunion game on Sunday.

"I just hope none of my body parts fall off," said a laughing Gross, who is 56. "I'm still recovering from my hamstring injury from the last [old timer's] game [in 2008]."

Bill Bohnert, who played for the Capahas in the early 1960s -- a few years before current manager Jess Bolen took over the squad -- didn't participate in the old timer's game but relished spending time with some former teammates.

"It's great to see all these guys," Bohnert said. "Half these guys, we played basketball all during the winter, then baseball came up and we played that. I went through little league with all these guys."

Terry Kitchen, Central High School's former longtime baseball coach and athletic director, said playing for the Capahas from 1970 through 1981 was among the best times of his life.

"It just brings back great memories. You had a great time playing. And playing for Jess, that was a treat. It was one of the best times of my life," Kitchen said. "This is a great thing. It's such a treat to see these people."

Mark Winder is caught in a rundown by third baseman Jackie Baugher during the second inning of the Capahas reunion game Sunday, June 16, 2013 at Capaha Field. (Fred Lynch)

Stan Skakalski, who played for the Capahas from 2007 through 2010, was among the youngest old-timers in attendance. He got a kick out of sharing stories with some of his elder statesmen.

"It's really great to bring a group of people back from different eras, from before you were around," Skakalski said. "I'm trying to meet as many as I can, get perspective from them about when they played."

Bolen, in his 47th season directing the Capahas, managed most of the players who were on hand Sunday.

"We all love and respect Jess. It was great playing for him," Gross said.

Walter "Doc" Ford, one of those who played before Bolen took over, said he didn't know many of the other ex-Capahas in attendance.

Tom Bolen pitches during the Capahas reunion game Sunday, June 16, 2013 at Capaha Field. (Fred Lynch)

But Ford does own the distinction of having four generations of his family suit up for the team. His two sons, Cliff and Kevin, played for the Capahas, as did his father and his grandson Josh, who is Kevin's son.

"No, I'm not playing tonight," said a laughing Doc Ford, who competed for the Capahas in 1951 and 1952.

Bolen, who spent the five-inning game calling balls and strikes from behind the mound -- where his son, former Capahas player and current assistant manager Tom Bolen did the batting-practice pitching -- said it was nice to take a break from running a team.

"I'm not managing. I'm going to watch and criticize," he said with a smile.

Bolen said the event -- free food and soft drinks were provided by the Southeast Missouri Central Labor Council while Mississippi River Radio announcer Erik Sean introduced the players before the old-timer's game and did running commentary during the contest -- couldn't have gone much better.

There was a good crowd, it appeared that a nice amount of money was raised -- and the fellowship was at an extremely high level.

"I thought it went real well and it was a lot of fun, seeing all these guys. It had been a while since I'd seen a lot of them," Bolen said. "I think our fans really enjoyed it and it was for a great cause. I really believe in St. Jude Hospital. I think everybody here does."

For the record, the old timer's game featuring teams managed by Rick Wieser (1976-84) and Darrick Smith (1984-99) ended in a 6-6 tie.

"A lot of those guys are still in pretty good shape and some of them can still play," Bolen said.