Annual Old Timers Game in Hessel Sept. 2
Game Is Last Summer Event for Cottagers

In 1936, Les Cheneaux Islands cottagers prevailed in a battle against longtime local residents. The occasion was the first Old Timers' Baseball Game, described in the 1937 edition of the Les Cheneaux Breezes magazine as a "do-or-die affair, lasting a full seven innings."

More than 70 years later, locals and cottagers are still fielding ball teams, now at the Clark Township ballfield at Albert Lindberg Airport in Hessel.

This year's game will be Sunday, September 2. The game will start around 1 p.m.

Teams are now comprised of a mixture of local and visiting players, with an emphasis on celebrating one of the last times everyone will be together during this summer. Many cottagers leave for the summer after Labor Day weekend.

Each year, the event attracts approximately 150 spectators and players, who enjoy a casual game and cookout.

Over the years, the game has pitted summer people against locals, Cedarville people against Hessel residents, and mature players against younger players.

The first team called the Cedarville Old Timers included Curt Patrick, Gene Mertaugh, Mike Baker, Alvin Hossack, George Dutcher, Charlie Parkey, Mitch Muscoe, Dave Hudgins, Guy Hamel, Joe Ance, Ed Dutcher, Ford Beacom, Mike Rudd, Jack Thompson, Floyd Cork, Roy Dutcher, and Roy Young. The Old Time Resorters team included Bob Little, Lee Brumleve, Rex Ingram, Ray Lowry, Harold Reif, Charles Beiber, Charlie Letts, Horace Johnson, Tiny Gerwin, Ed Nipher, George Dornette, C.H. Reiter, Herbert Ailes, Don Wiley, O.J. Robinson, Charlie Kalenda, Bill Spray, Judge Richter, and Vern Hossack.

All food and equipment is donated by private citizens and local businesses.