With apologies to legendary singer/songwriter Bob Dylan, "Hey! Mr. Accordion Man, play a baseball song for me. I'm not sleepy and there's no place in Appleton I'm going to."
That of course was the case on Saturday at Fox Cities Stadium in Grande Chute, Wis., when all the games, excect one, of the 2012 NCAA Division III Baseball Championship were delayed and eventually postponed due to rain.
Top-ranked and defending national champion Marietta College (44-8) was scheduled to play St. Thomas in the late game Saturday, but that contest didn't get underway until Sunday evening with the Tommies winning 3-1.
Article Photos
RON JOHNSTON The Marietta Times
Sue Schaly, the First Lady of Marietta College baseball catches up on the news of the day during a rain delay at the 2007 World Series at Fox Cities Stadium in Grande Chute, Wis.
MC had a lot of time to kill since routing Whitworth (Wa.) University, 13-2, in its World Series opener Friday night. But all the schools in the tournament were affected one way or the other.
When I covered the Pioneers at the World Series in 2007, there was a rain delay in their game against SUNY Cortland State. One of the things that stood out during the interruption was how cold it was, especially at the end of May.
As a comedian once said, "It was so cold that Superman froze his 'S' off."
I can still see Sue Schaly, the First Lady of Marietta College baseball, bundled up in a blanket and reading a newspaper.
Like everybody else there, she was waiting for the dark clouds to pass and the game to be resumed.
Amazingly, during the downpour, some fans covered up in plastic and remained in their seats in the grandstand.
Another revealing thing or person in this instance was "Mr. Accordion Man."
Sorry folks, but I didn't catch his name. I sure wish I had, and hope he's still doing OK these days.
Mr. Accordion Man was an elderly gentleman with a white goatee and straw hat. He was very friendly and a welcome relief during the rains.
He didn't exactly play any baseball melodies or anything from the Dropkick Murphys repertoire on his instrument, but he was still accomplished and above all else entertaining.
No one did a jig, because everybody was either too shy (like me) or just so plain cold waiting out the storm. But maybe that alone would've been reason enough to dance, to keep the limbs moving - to keep warm.
You know, the funny thing about Mr. Accordion Man was that I didn't seen him before the thunderstorm or after the game was resumed. Just who was that guy?
Maybe he made an appearance this past Saturday?
Sure hope Mr. Accordion Man is well.
Unfortunately for the Pioneers, the rain wait didn't exactly help them as they went on to suffer a 9-3 setback to the Red Dragons, and were eliminated from 2007 World Series competition. Going two-and-out in the World Series in 2007 was not a memorable occasion for Marietta.
But at least there was Mr. Accordion Man to play a song for us.
Ron Johnston is the Marietta Times sports editor and can be reached at 376-5441 or at rjohnston@mariettatimes.com.
