Part two
They walked from the ridge down through the woods into a valley below. Their intention was sure – while swinging wooden bats, to challenge the yet unseen adversary. It was school year 1949-1950 in Houston County when two country grade school teachers had arranged for their one-room school students to meet for a picnic and softball game. It was a highly unusual and therefore greatly-anticipated event. The boys especially looked forward to the athletic endeavor. With their lunches in hand, the boys and girls from South Ridge (Loretta) School in Mound Prairie Township walked three miles, crossing into La Crescent Township to engage with their counterparts from Pine Creek School.
“Immediately upon our arrival,” recalled South Ridge fifth grader David Beckman, “the Pine Creek kids came bursting out of the school house carrying their lunch buckets and joining us under a big old hickory tree for the picnic. The teachers mixed us all up in hopes there would be some sort of cultural exchange between the ridge kids and the valley kids. Needless to say, they had to be disappointed since that never happened; it was a very quiet lunch hour. The little bit of talking that did take place was mostly between the girls.
“After lunch, the Pine Creek school teacher went into the school house and came out with an arm full of bats, a pail full of softballs and real bases including a home plate. Wow, I thought, they must really be good to have so much real equipment. As we were moving over to the ball field, I became aware of the fact that a lot of boys went to this school and most of them were pretty big. I suspected they were also good ball players and this was going to be a tough game.
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“Being their guests, we batted first. Since I was the best player on our team, I got to be the leadoff batter and lined a double to the outfield. Unfortunately, our next three batters all hit dink balls to their infielders, which were routinely fielded and thrown to first base for an out. It didn’t appear likely we would score many runs today, if any.
“Our first appearance in the field pretty much finished setting the tone for the rest of the game. Most balls that were hit weren’t anywhere near where I could field them. And, seldom were our fielders able to catch a fly ball or field a ground ball cleanly and then make a good throw to first base in time for an out. By the time the first inning was over, we were already down many runs.
“As the game wore on, I became very hot and thirsty. Finally, between innings, I made a quick trip to the school house for a much-needed drink of cold water. I pulled a cone shaped paper cup out of the dispenser next to the water cooler and bent down to fill it. As I started to straighten up, I noticed a pair of black and white saddle shoes directly under my eyes as they came stepping toward the water cooler.
“My attention was instantly captured by a bright red skirt with large pleats draping gracefully from a slender waist. Looking up, I saw a pretty face, framed with waves of flowing blond hair which rested easily upon her shoulders. Her smile, outlined in bright red lipstick, was pleasant and inviting. Her blue eyes were enticing and danced with mischief.
“‘You’re a really good ball player!’ she exclaimed with confidence. All I could muster in reply was a feeble, ‘Yeah!’ Suddenly overcome with embarrassment from my staring, I quickly bent down to put more water into an already full cup. Water ran all over the floor. ‘There’s no end to this,’ I thought. ‘You’re making a complete fool out of yourself!’
“Since escape now seemed my only safe option, I rushed out the door sloshing even more water as I went. Stopping outside I gulped down the remaining water and then, with utter disgust, angrily crushed the cup and jammed it into my pocket.
“Returning to the game, I tried to blend in with the other players. However, it wasn’t very long before I found myself searching the field for the girl with the red skirt. At first, I couldn’t spot her, but then I noticed her coming out of the school house. Our eyes met briefly before I turned away. She was still smiling.
“The game continued to deteriorate and seemed to drag on forever. Its importance had been lost. Instead, I found myself engaged in a new kind of game for which I had had no experience; so, I tried to appear casual and uninterested. She, on the other hand, kept my full attention with her red skirt swaying back and forth as she gaily bounced about being very flirty. Every time I tried to sneak a peek, I got caught. She always seemed to be looking directly at me with that playful smile.
“‘It’s time to go!’ Mrs. Ames finally called out. We gathered up our lunch buckets from beneath the hickory tree and started down the gravel road, waving good bye as we went. Just before going into the woods to start our trek up the old road, I stopped and looked back one more time. Her red skirt was listless as she stood on the ball field alone, just standing there alone, watching us go. I turned and went into the woods.
“Slowly climbing the hill, my thoughts were occupied with our encounter. Why hadn’t I asked anybody her name or where she lived or what grade she was in? Why hadn’t I talked to her? I tried to imagine a time and place when we might meet again. ‘It’ll be different next time,’ I assured myself.
“‘Hurry up, David!’ Mrs. Ames called as I lingered behind. Then I remembered the crushed cup in my pocket.”