Matt Hatch of Cedarville is at bat during the Old Timers' Baseball Game at the Clark Township ballfield Sunday, August 31. The annual end-of-summer game is a longstanding tradition in the community. Continuing a tradition begun in 1936, residents of Cedarville, Hessel, and the Les Cheneaux Islands gathered for the annual Old Timers' Baseball Game Sunday, August 31.

The game drew a sizable crowd to the Clark Township ballfield at Lindberg Airport in Hessel. Many residents wore T-shirts made for the event. Businesses and individuals provided food and funding, and the game went on under a hot sun and a clear sky.

Now a softball game, decades ago it was set up as a rivalry baseball game between cottagers and year-around residents. Later, it became a Hessel-versus-Cedarville event.

Eventually, in terms of numbers, it became too one-sided, explained Mike "Gypsy" Sanderson as he waited to take the field.

This year, residents from throughout the area arrived, and the group was divided into teams.

"People as old as 65 are playing," said Al Hansen of Cedarville.

Mike Amarose of Hessel said he has enjoyed going to the Old Timers' game all of his life.

"It's getting better every year," he said, noting that there were more spectators and participants than expected this year.

The game continues to offer a chance for everyone in the area to get together one last time at the end of the summer. Many cottagers leave the area after Labor Day weekend.

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.