Strong winds made the game more interesting, said event organizer Al Hansen. “We misjudged a few balls due to the wind. But with us old-timers on the field, that may have happened, anyway.” At the end of the annual oldtimers game in Hessel, one run separated the two teams, captained by long-time players Al Hansen and Dick Flynn, but neither victory nor defeat could separate the players from the reason they took to the field. Every hit, catch, miscue, and pitch contributed to a tradition dating back more than 70 years.

The softball game, a 14-13 win for Team Flynn, never ceased to be fun for any of the 22 players who took their swings Sunday, September 5. Constant chatter from both the bench and the bleachers underscored the connection the crowd felt to the game.

Originally started as a competition between Hessel and Cedarville in 1936, the old-timers game now pits whoever shows up against one another - with teams chosen randomly out of a hat. The tradition of the losing team buying the beer has also evolved; the game's refreshments, including hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, potato chips, baked beans, and watermelon, are free to everyone, courtesy of local businesses and individuals.

The cook crew (from left) of Dan and Becky Dutcher, and Kelly Izzard with event organizer Al Hansen. All four have played instrumental parts in the old-timers game for nearly a decade. Remaining unchanged throughout the years, however, is the emphasis on fun and the respect of the game and its history. The value placed on tradition was evident from the game's very first play.

Jennings “Bud” Couture, a long-time player in this September classic, started the game with a ceremonial first pitch. According to organizers, it was the first in the history of the event.

Al Hansen delivers the pitch in the second inning of the oldtimers game at the Hessel ball diamond. For Mr. Couture, who has been unable to play for several years now after decades as a pitcher, it was a way to get back into the game.

“I was one of the players who started this game. We built this ball field,” he said. “I wanted to go out there and play.”

His daughter, Dawn Laracey, has grown up around this attitude and understands what the oldtimers game means to the Les Cheneaux community. She has been coming to the games as long as she can remember. Her initial experiences included serving the refreshments before bounding off to play in the sand with other children.

Part of growing up was realizing what makes this event special. She makes a point of coming to this game, from her home in Traverse City, every year.

“The old-timer game is the most fun community event because it's just about the people,” Mrs. Laracey said. “There's no special reason, it's just something that gets everyone to come out.”

There are no strikes in the old-timers game, allowing hitters to keep swinging until they get a hit. Here, Dick Flynn connects with a lob from the pitcher's mound, setting base runners in motion. For the players involved, the game can be a mix between going all out, having fun, and shaking a year's worth of rust off. Adding to the degree of difficulty this year were strong winds.

“We misjudged a few balls due to the wind,” Mr. Hansen said. “But, with us old-timers on the field, that may have happened, anyway.”

One misjudged ball led to a scary moment as outfielder Jerry Lee thundered to catch a pop-up in foul territory. The crowd held its collective breath as his momentum carried him skidding across the field, coming to a stop belly-up on the cement foundation underneath a bench.

Clark Township Recreation Committee chair Darrell Hill hustles to first base and is safe by a mile. Mr. Lee immediately popped to his feet, unharmed, and the game continued.

Diane Galloway, who has kept score at the event the last four years, joked that one reason more detailed records aren't kept of the game's play-by-play is that the score sheet would be littered with errors.

The game's miscues are part of its charm and play a large part in the game's stress-free atmosphere, organizers said. The errors, along with the great plays, are a source of crowd entertainment.

“This game is great,” said 63- year-old spectator Jerry LeRay of DeTour. “When I get old, I want to be just like these guys.”

Mr. LeRay started attending the old-timers game four years ago with his wife, Betty, and has been coming to every game ever since. This year, he talked his neighbors into coming.

“Even if you don't play ball, you can still appreciate the game,” he said. “It's an American tradition.”