Elmer Schleper, who played on Farming's first town team in 1938 and later managed the team for well over 20 years, passed away on Sunday, September 25, at the age of 87.  Elmer was elected to the Minnesota Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.

I really enjoyed getting to know Elmer these past couple of summers, and admired his keen knowledge and love of baseball.  He'll truly be missed.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to all family members, and to the Farming baseball community.  RIP, Elmer.

Here is Elmer's obit, including funeral arrangements:

Elmer Schleper, age 87
Farming
November 10, 1923 – September 25, 2011

Memorials are preferred.

The U.S. Revolution, the national Australian Rules football club, finished fourth recently in an international competition held in Melbourne and Sydney.  Brent Mergen was selected Best in two of the five USA matches.

Congratulations to Brent and to the US club on an excellent tournament.  Well done!

For some photos of the action, see the Smilebox courtesy of Barb:  http://smilebox.com/playEmail/4d6a59304d6a6b304f545a384e5459354e6a6b304d44493d0d0a&sb=1

Barb Mergen had made a number of nice photo-presentations featuring the Farming Flames season.  Barb does these on "Smilebox", which is a free download.  You might need to download Smilebox to your computer in order to save these photos.   You can get it at http://www.smilebox.com/.

This one is a nice wrap up of the successful 2011 season:  http://smilebox.com/playEmail/4d6a59794f4463314d7a6c384e5459354e6a6b304d44493d0d0a&sb=1

This one is of the first game on the new turf, vs. St. Martin, on May 28 (Thank to Mary Mergen, who took the photos): http://smilebox.com/playEmail/4d6a55794d6a6b354d6a4a384e5459354e6a6b304d44493d0d0a&sb=1

Here's one about the Farming Little League champions: http://smilebox.com/playEmail/4d6a59794d5441344f546c384e5459354e6a6b304d44493d0d0a&sb=1

And here's a nice one on Mary's induction into the HOF: http://smilebox.com/playEmail/4d6a59774e7a4d344d7a4a384e5459354e6a6b304d44493d0d0a&sb=1

Many, many thanks to all of you who submitted photos and other items for the website this year.  As you know by now, I am able to aim a camera forward and hit the button, but do not have much for skills beyond that point.  So thank you Barb, Brittany, Jimmy, Mary, Dennis, Holly, and anyone else that I've missed.  The more contributions we can get from members of the community, the better the website will be.

Brent Mergen, who played a variety of positions for Farming this year including pitcher, catcher, infield, and outfield, is currently competing with the U.S. Australian Rules Football Team.  The AFL International Cup, as the tournament is called, is taking place in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, August 12-27.  Congrats to Brent!

If you'd like to follow the team during the competition, see http://www.usafl.com/ic2011.  To be honest with you, I can't seem to find any scores from the Australian matches (they're probably in there somewhere).

Brent also plays with the Minnesota Freeze, http://mnfooty.com/.  "Footy" is the nickname for the ball that is used.  This website has a good video on just what the heck Australian football is (it's where I learned what "Footy" is).  This sport is definitely not for the faint of heart!

The game began with Farming pitcher Mitchell Thelen breaking a cardinal rule by walking the leadoff runner.  As typically happens the runner scored, but Thelen then settled down nicely by pounding the strike zone against the strong hitting Rangers giving up only one more run in the fourth inning. The Flames welcomed a stellar diving stop by Tylor Schroeder at second base to stop the Ranger rally short.  Thelen finished with five innings giving up two runs on two hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

The scoring for the Flames began in the second inning with solid singles by Nick Mergen, Max Carlson, and Hunter Mergen capping a three run inning.  Thelen and Josh Christen crossed the plate in the third giving the Flames a 5-1 lead.

With the Flames leading 5-2 in the sixth, the wheels came off the cart for a short time as two errors, two walks, and a hit handed the Rangers four runs and the lead at 6-5.  Relief pitcher Taylor Fourre found his bearings and retired eight of the final nine outs by strike out to end the Ranger scoring.

Down one run in the seventh inning centerfielder Kyle Birr manufactured a run by drawing a walk, stealing second, and scoring from second on a slow rolling ground ball to the shortstop. Running straight through a stop sign from the third base coach, Birr slid into home just ahead of the throw from the first baseman to tie the game at 6.  Moving to the eighth with one out, right fielder Marcus Mergen, after working a full count, obtained first base by being hit by a pitch.  He was moved up to third by a double by Thelen, and scored the winning run by stealing home during a suicide squeeze play.

This championship team was anchored all season by consummate hard working veterans Nick Mergen (C, P, IF), Mitchell Thelen (P, IF), and Josh Christen (OF).  Their leadership will be missed as they move on to the next level.

The Lake Henry Legion Post 612 sponsors the Stearns County Little Dipper League.  Thanks and gratitude to out the Legion members for their support for the youth baseball programs of the Stearns County League.

Team Photo Names

Front Row: Hunter Mergen, Luke Schmitt, Jake Koltes, Max Glatzmier, Nick Mergen, Max Carlson, Tylor Schroeder, Izaac Nett

Back Row: Coach James Birr, Taylor Fourre, Josh Christen, Kyle Birr, Mitchell Thelen, Adam Winkels, Marcus Mergen, Coach Eric Carlson, Coach Dennis Mergen

Farming were defeated by Lake Henry in the Region 15C tournament, 5-4 in a competetive and entertaining game held in Spicer. 

The Flames struck right away in the first inning.  Zach Posterick worked a walk from draftee and starter, Scott Schroeder.  Craig Klein was hit by a pitch.   Craig Holthaus reached on an error by the third basement to load the sacks.  Chris Wehseler delivered a single to center to give Farming an early 1-0 lead.

In the fourth, Derrick Roush led off with a double to deep left.  Craig Rausch walked, and Ian Hoffarth sacrificed both runners up a base.  Zach Posterick delivered a clutch 2-RBI single to left, scoring both Derrick and Craig, and tying the game at 3. 

Farming lost a heartbreaker on Saturday afternoon in their Region 15C opener, 1-0 at the hands of the Elrosa Saints. 

Draftee Josh Enqvist pitched a terrific game for Farming, surrending just one run on six hits.   Josh had nine strikeouts for the game.  Defensively, the ballclub played flawlessly in field, committing no errors.

The Flames had a number of rallies during the game, as they left 10 men on base.   On three occasions, Farming had a runner reach third base, but were unable to bring any of them home.   In the eighth inning, Elrosa's shortstop made a nice catch in shallow center field to end a first-and-third threat.  After the first two men were out in the top of the ninth, the Flames had three straight singles to load the bases, but left them stranded.  Derrick Roush, Chad Mergen, and Ian Hoffarth had two hits each for Farming.

With the tough luck loss, the Flames will face Lake Henry on Sunday, 10:30am.  A win puts Farming into next weekend's action, while a loss would end the Flames' season.  Come on out tomorrow and support the ballclub!

The game will also be broadcast on KASM, Albany, AM 1150.

Brittany Lieser took these nice photos as last Sunday's ballgame.  They're scrolling on the mainpage above, or you can see them in the Photos section.

Thanks again Brittany - I think we'll have to make you the official photographer for the ballclub!

Aaron Nett, longtime ballplayer for Farming, emailed me on Monday.  As many of you know, Aaron is in Rome for the next couples of years preparing for the priesthood.  He's been following the club's success through the playoffs and is happy to see us in the Regionals.  Brad, you're now officially known as "the wonder kid".  :)

Here's Aaron's email:

Hello Scott,

I hope you are doing well. I have been keeping up with your postings on the Flames games so you have been keeping me well informed over here in Italy. They have made a great run and awsome news to see them in the Regions! I knew they had the talent to do it if things started clicking right and having the wonder kid that can strike out 18 in a game changes your mentality a little also:)

Anyway I had taken this picture from where our seminary is in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. I had the intention of saying hello on the website a while ago but hadn't got to it until now. I figured I would share it and you can put it up there if you want to, along with a little good luck greeting for the guys this weekend saying... good luck fellas in the Regions and keep the coals burning into the State Tourney!

Those pictures for the park look great as well. Well take care.

Peace.

Aaron

Farming lost a hard-fought and entertaining game to Lake Henry on Sunday, 5-4 in 12 innings.  Farming enters the Region 15C tournament next week as the #2 seed from the SCL South Division.

The Flames had the bats going well early.  In the second, Ian Hoffarth's RBI single scored Brad Mergen, and Zach Posterick's fielder's choice scored Derrick Roush.  In the third, Chris Wehseler hit a double to right that scored Ian Hoffarth.  Later in the same inning, Chad Mergen's fielder's choice brough Sergei Krousgove with the second Farming run.

Farming used three pitchers in the game, and all pitched well.  Zach started and went the first five innings, and Craig Rausch pitched the sixth.  Brad came on in the seventh and went the rest of the way, yielding one run on three hits, and striking out 10.

Tom Elliot from the Times was at Sunday's game and wrote a nice article that appeared in Monday's SC Times: http://www.sctimes.com/article/20110801/SPORTS/108010015/Amateur-baseball-Lakers-win-blast

Next Saturday, the Flames travel to Spicer for a Region 15C tilt vs. Elrosa at 3:30pm.  Win or lose, we'll have a game on Sunday too.  Now's the time for everyone to get behind the ballclub and make the trip to Spicer next weekend.  Hope to see you there!