CLUB NEWS

• The District GSE Team to West Africa has posted pictures and a progress report on their blog. Check www.RotaryBayCity.org for team itinerary and the link to the team's blog.
  
  
• International Night planning is well under way. This is the club's largest fund raiser. Helpers are always needed and welcome. Contact sub-committee chairs:
  • Larry LaPorte - tickets
  • Brad Kessel - sponsorships
  • Linda Heemstra - greeters
  • Mike Stoner - bar tenders
  • Barb Fisher - decorations, food and setup.
  
  

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  Upcoming Programs (See the official schedule at RotaryBayCity.org)
  
  
• April 17 Dick Devos
  
  
• April 24 Golf pros from the Saginaw Golf Center ABC12 Anchor Terry Camp
  
  
• May 8 ABC12 Anchor Terry Camp's behind the scenes look at the Great Lakes Loons.
  
  

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  Last Weeks program - April 10, 2007
  Bay City Independents vintage baseball team
  The Bay City Independents vintage baseball team, who actually are historical re-enactors, warmed up for its third season by presenting a program last Tuesday to the Rotary Club of Bay City.
  
  Capt. Jayme Johnson led off and hit a home run with a film of last year's action. He was backed up by uniformed players Ron "Irish" O'Laughlin, Dan "Rainmaker" DeCuf, Dennis "Double D" Dinauer and umpire "Honest" John Gravlin.
  
  Vintage baseball is more than athletics, it is a chance for a community gathering, family entertainment much like the barn-raisings or harvesting gatherings of the Victorian age, said Johnson.
  
  Community events often were capped off with impromptu baseball games that were played with the spirit of non-superiority, he said. "This was a return to the agrarian ideal where everyone enjoyed a chance to enjoy the American dream," Johnson commented. "Discourtesy was viewed as a greater disgrace than losing the game."
  
  Gentlemanly behavior was the first rule and one player was fined for rolling up his sleeves without getting leave from the ladies, he said.
  
  The Independents trace their heritage back to the Washingtons of Bay City, formed in 1865 by A.C. Maxwell. The Washingtons lost the state championship to the Detroit team in 1866 by a horrendous score of 40-13, due to an unbelievable series of misfortunes.
  
  Players don't use gloves and it's bad form for the pitcher not to toss the ball where it can be hit. Players circulate through the crowd in educating the crowd about the old time game.
  
  The 2007 schedule for the Independents:
  
  Sat., May 12: at Kawkawlin Picked 9, 2 p.m.;
  
  Sat., May 19: Midland River Hogs, Carroll Park, 2 p.m.;
  
  Sat., June 9: at Grand Rapids, Kent Baseball Club, all day (Silas K. Pierce Cup);
  
  Sat., June 16: Port Huron Welkins, Carroll Park, 2 p.m.;
  
  Sat., June 30: at Port Huron Welkins, 1 p.m.;
  
  Sat., July 7: at Rochester Hills Grangers, 1 p.m.;
  
  Sun., July 15, vs. Kent, Carroll Park, 2 p.m.;
  
  Sat., July 21: at Midland vs. River Hogs, Chipawassee Park, 1 p.m.;
  
  Sat., July 28: vs. Rochester Hills Grangers, Carroll Park, 2 p.m.;
  
  Sat.-Sun., Aug. 4-5: at Dearborn Greenfield Village, WORLD SERIES, all day;
  
  Sat., Sept. 15: at Ludington Mariners, 1 p.m.;
  
  Sat., Sept. 22: vs. Grand Rapids Westside Emeralds, at Veterans Park, 2 p.m.
  
  The Independents also will play the Grangers at the River of Time in late September and a benefit dinner will be held.
  
  For more information access website www.baycitybaseballclub.com. ###