Fort Mackinac ‘Never Sweats’ Win First Vintage Base Ball Game
By Jessica Delaney

The Midland Mighty River Hogs line up with host team the Fort Mackinac Never Sweats on the Scout Barracks field prior to their game Saturday.

With a “hip hip huzzah!” the teams were off in the first game of the season, with the Fort Mackinac Never Sweats suiting up two weeks early this year to square off in a game against the Midland Mighty River Hogs Saturday, July 9. In a bit of an upset, the Never Sweats beat out the opposition 6-2.

The teams played the game according to 1860s base ball rules. This means a few changes from a modern day game, including new vocabulary, new strategies, and some not-so-new uniforms.

Striker to the line! In a recreated 1890s uniform, Phil “Pops” Porter steps up to the plate as the Never Sweats’ second striker, to face off against the Mighty River Hogs.

The Never Sweats donned historically accurate wool uniforms, and the crowd, better known as “cranks,” joked that though the team might be winning, they certainly weren’t living up to their name.

Because the game was organized at the last minute, it was called a practice game, and it was played as a friendly rivalry before just a handful of fans. The Never Sweats will play their big match-up against the Rochester Grangers Saturday, July 23, at 7 p.m.

The game began by a flip of a penny.

“That’s appropriate,” joked Never Sweats coach Phil “Pops” Porter, “because that’s about all this game is worth.” The Never Sweats won the toss and chose to play as the home team, allowing the guests to bat first.

The Never Sweats breezed through the first inning, with their leadoff “striker” (batter) Tim “The Marketeer” Putman scoring an early “ace” (run) on a ball hit by Bill “The Cat” Fritz. The Never Sweats maintained their lead through all nine innings.

“We played well, especially in the field,” Mr. Porter said later. “We need to get the ball down, that’s a priority, especially with the one bounce rule. There’s a real advantage in hitting the ball low and hard.”

The Never Sweats played the game after just one practice, at which only eight of their players were present. The Midland Mighty River Hogs, on the other hand, began their season in early June and had already played in eight games. The team will compete in 25 games over the course of the season. The Never Sweats, alas, will manage only two.

The River Hogs have a few more seasons under their belt than the Never Sweats, as they were formed five years ago. The Never Sweats are enjoying their third season. The River Hogs run a hard and heavy schedule, playing a game or tournament nearly every weekend of the summer.

With a schedule so heavy with games, coach Gary Rocha has to go to special efforts to make sure that he is able to field a full team, and visiting places that combine a vacation with a game is one way to do that. Out of more than 100 games played, the Hogs have never had to play a game short on players.

Coach Rocha joked that each game is like a family reunion. Of the 11 players he brought with him to the Island, six are related. According to Mr. Rocha, the Hogs would love to return for a rematch next summer.

“This is one we’ve got to try again,” said Mr. Rocha. “It’s a great group of guys to play against. I always look for a team of gentleman, and that’s what they’ve got. Plus, today, we had great weather, and there are things to do.”

Nothing has been set in stone, though members of the Never Sweats also enjoyed the game.

Now with one game under their belts, the Never Sweats are prepared to face off against the Rochester Grangers. They’ll be even better prepared for the upcoming game, thanks to a pair of honorary co-captains who will be joining the team. This year’s co-captains include Congressman Bart “Stretch” Stupak, a member of the Congressional Baseball team, and returning captain John “Ratso” Hiller, a member of the 1968 World Series championship Detroit Tigers team.

The Never Sweats aren’t going to just rest on their laurels prior to the game. “Pops” plans on at least one more practice before the big game Saturday.

“This game was good, but it was really just a tune-up for the game on the 23rd,” he said.

In two meetings, the Grangers and the Never Sweats have each won one game. The game will at held at the Scout Barracks ball field at 7 p.m. and will include a brass band, an announcer in top hat, and base ball cards of the individual players. Cost is $15 for a family, $5 for an adult, $3 for kids 6 to 17, and free for children five and under.