Bucky's Family Comes to Town

On August 21st, the Bucky Backers™ headed back to Beloit for an unscheduled trip to see Bucky. The reason you ask? Bucky's family was coming to town!

The Backers piled into the vans in Wheaton and headed to Beloit. They bypassed the usually meal stop because Bucky's mom was throwing a picnic for the group! The Backers were most appreciative, especially Paul who packed away a hamburger and two chicken sandwiches plus the chips, pickles, etc. that came with it.

The night had clouds overhanging the ball park, with thunder and lightning being seen in the distance. But the rain held off long enough to see the Snappers start the game. The Quad City River Bandits jumped out with two runs in the top of the first inning, but the hometown Snappers answered with two of their own in the bottom of the frame. The Backers astonished Bucky's family with their cheering, though by their own admission, it was not as rowdy as early escapades. The loudest Backers were at a school retreat and unfortunately couldn't make the trip.

The top of the fourth saw the Bandits erupt for five runs, some off of Snapper errors. As the rain started to come down harder, the Snappers started a rally. The scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. At the end of the inning, the umps halted the game.

The Backers along with the rest of the fans sought shelter under the stands. Bucky, who struck out with the bases loaded at the end of the fifth stayed in the dugout for a long time (understandably). He emerged to the delight of fans and spent twenty minutes talking with the Backers and his family. The Backers had to take off before the game resumed. It had been a great year and fortunately Bucky and his family appreciated the Backers enthusiasm.

The Bucky Beat by Tina Kirsh

Sunday, August 9, was the first Snappers game I attended since the day the Bucky Backers™ was "founded" on May 10. It was, as Harry Caray would've said, "A beautiful day for baseball." Your typical warm, humid, dog-days-of-August type of day. I couldn't have thought of a better place to be than at a ballpark.

I met up with Mike Herman in the parking lot, and he showed me the right gate to go to pick up our Bucky Backer tickets. He explained that Bucky always left tickets for the Backers. Of course! We all know Buck's a class act.

Even though we arrived almost an hour before game time, the park was starting to fill to capacity as a celebrity softball game was underway between TV soap opera stars and members of the local media (none of whose names we recognized!). But we didn't have to worry about seating -- courtesy of Mr. Jacobsen, we had terrific seats three rows behind the visiting Beloit Snappers' dugout. We saw Bucky after the team finished stretching in the outfield and thanked him for the excellent seats.

"Is that the famous Bucky?" asked a woman in the crowd, noting our t-shirts, as Bucky went back into the dugout to prepare for the game.

"Sure is," we replied.

We sported our official Bucky Backer t-shirts but so far, Mike and I were the only two Backers in attendence. We scanned the outfield bleachers for navy blue-clad fans sporting signs, but didn't see any. We sat waiting hopefully for the rest of the Backer clan to arrive.

(I'm sorry, but I have to digress here: As someone who goes to a couple Cubs games every month, with Wrigley Field's grossly overpriced concessions, I have to say that it ROCKS to be able to buy a hotdog and medium-sized drink for UNDER $5!)

Thankfully, just before the first pitch we spotted Paul and his crew in their official Bucky Backer t-shirts a few rows back and to the right of us. There might've been a couple extra seats next to them, but because our seats were so good, we decided to stay put for the time being. Our crowd was relatively quiet at first -- at least, as Mike said, compared to the other games the Backers attended -- but we didn't stay that way for long.

Bucky didn't get to bat in the first inning, as he was in the lineup to bat in the No. 4 cleanup spot, but to start off the second he belted a fastball over the shed next to the leftfield scoreboard for a solo home run, giving chase to the Cougars' early 3-0 lead. The Backers went nuts! We stood up and hooted, hollered, clapped ever-so-loudly, yelled, screamed, whistled, you name it! Talk about waking everyone up!

When we finally settled down, Mike commented, -- to the chuckles of those sitting in front of us -- "I guess about 10,000 people just found out who WE'RE rooting for!"

Bucky made a few excellent catches out in right field, and his arm is still strong as ever, as demonstrated by the bullets he threw to the cutoff man and to home plate on more than one occasion.

"We love you, Bucky!" chided a few of the younger female Backers as No. 33 jogged back to the dugout. Obviously blushing and with a hint of a smile on his face, Bucky kept his cool.

In the eighth inning, Paul called down to Mike and I to help them out with the fading B-U-C-K-Y signs for the next time Bucky was to bat. Just as we got ready (it just so happened that I was handed the Y, the same letter I held the first day I cheered for the Buckster), stadium events personnel started throwing cookies into the crowd as "C is for Cookie" played on the loudspeakers. The Backers quickly followed with their rendition, "B is for Bucky...."

We held up our signs and raised the noise level a notch or two, but we couldn't get a Snappers rally going. Unfortunately, seeing Bucky's 21st dinger was going to be the highlight of the game. Even with Don Money changing things around a bit by calling the shots from the first-base coach's box, the Snappers gave up a bunch of runs to lose to the Cougars 11 to 3.

After the game, we waited outside the visitors' locker room to chat with Bucky. After watching all the little kids (and not-so-little kids) run the bases, and after moving out of the way of several workers cleaning up the stadium (who no doubt wondered, "What the heck are those people still doing here?"), Bucky finally emerged with a souvenir for the Backers. It was the bat with which he hit his home run, and which he later broke during another at- bat. The group decided to give the bat to Aaron, who couldn't make it to the game that day (something about his brother's wedding... come on, Aaron, get your priorities straight!).

Mike talked with him about how the pitchers played him that day, someone asked why Don Money was at first base coaching (Apparently he just decided to do that all week for the heck of it. Superstitious perhaps?), and it was once again a cordial rap session with Bucky Jacobsen. He excitedly asked the Backers if they could attend a game at Beloit while his parents were in town next week.

"So what DO your parents think of all this?" I asked.

"Oh, they think it's crazy," he said. "My little brother will think it's great; they'll love it when they see everyone cheering. My mom - she'll probably cry."

...join the Bucky Backers in their unscheduled trip to Beloit on Friday, August 21!

"Is this heaven?" "No, it's Iowa."

The Bucky Backers™ road trip to the Quad Cities was small in number, but they made quite an impression on the local fans. From inquiries about the club to jeering, the Backers experienced it all.

After a three hour trip in the van, the six faithful Backers entered John O'Donnell stadium sporting their new t-shirts. While the Backers were getting set up in the first base bleachers, Bucky headed to the outfield to warm up. You could see the quizzical look on his face as he noticed the Backers all had the same color t-shirt on. He came over to the fence and started to laugh as he saw the new Backer gear. His teammates also got a laugh out of the t-shirts. The Backers presented Bucky with a t-shirt and headed up the bleachers to get ready for the game.
The Snappers got off to a great start, scoring two runs in the first inning. Garrett Osilka started with a solo home run and after walking, Bucky scored the Snappers second run.

The River Bandits came back with two in the bottom of the inning. The game went back and forth with the scoring becoming tied 4-4 in the seventh inning. But the Snappers broke the game open in the eighth inning. With two outs, Bucky got things started with his third walk of the game. More walks, hit batsmen, and hits followed and by the end, the Snappers had scored six runs, bringing the game to 10-4.

Throughout the game, the Bucky Backers™ continued to cheer for Bucky and his teammates. Many comments from upset River Bandit fans came their way. But the Backers kept cheering despite the jeering and saw the Snappers on their way to victory.

The Bucky Backers™ Head Back to Beloit

The Bucky Backers™ trip to Beloit on July 16th was the largest Backer event to date. 32 loyal and new fans came from all over Wisconsin and Illinois. One Backer even brought friends from New Zealand! The Backers met in Beloit to see the Snappers take on those dreaded corn Kernels from Cedar Rapids.

The original plans for the evening included having the Backers sing the National Anthem and Aaron throwing out the first pitch. Unfortunately, some of the Backers arrived late for the caravan up to Beloit. This delay made the Backers arrive at the ballpark in the middle of the first inning, missing both events. Thankfully, Snappers GM Matt Harris graciously allowed the Backers to sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the 7th inning stretch. Thanks again for that Matt!

With the added numbers to the Backers, new cheering possibilities were created. "BUCKY RULES" and "GO BUCKY" signs graced the bleachers. The evening also saw the debut of a new song for the Backers. Peter and Aaron came up with the song during Bucky's stint as first base coach at Kane County. The title? "B is for Bucky," sung to the tune of that Sesame Street favorite, "C is for Cookie." Many in the stadium were amused.

The game itself went quickly - a little over two hours! The Snappers committed no errors, which surely pleased manager Don Money. The final score, however, did not. The Snappers played from behind the entire game and scored their only run in the ninth inning. The run came on Bucky's broken bat single - the Bucky Backers™ went nuts. Unfortunately, nothing more came of the Snappers' rally.

After the game, Bucky was his usual easy going self - cordial with the fans, signing autographs and talking with the masses. Always the professional, Bucky made it memorable for every one.

Kane County, Round 2: June 30 and July 2, 1998

Bucky's return to Kane County was an event that many Backers looked forward to. Five brave Bucky Backers™ braved the elements and watched the first game from the lawn seats in right field. The 12-inning affair included rain, so the BUCKY signs were quickly used as rain gear.

The evening saw the Snappers lose to the host Cougars. Highlights included being mentioned on Cougar radio as "those guys from the All-Star game." The Backers also saw Bucky steal his third base of the season - it was on a double steal, but it still counts in the stats book!

After skipping the July 1st afternoon game (hey, we have jobs too!), the Bucky Backers™ came out to support Beloit's rightfielder on July 2nd. After setting up out in the bleachers, Mike learned from Bucky that manager Don Money was giving him the night off - he would coach first base instead. The Backers moved to their assigned seats down the first base line and prepared to cheer their favorite first base coach!

Sitting in the middle of a bunch of Cougar fans does have its disadvantages. The looks of "you are lunatics" were shot toward the Backers a number of times, along with shaking of heads. But true to their calling, the Backers supported Bucky. Each inning as Bucky trotted out toward first base, cheers and chants would be heard throughout the stadium in Geneva.

Bucky did see action in the game in the ninth inning. The leftfielder for Beloit was hurt in a collision with the Snappers centerfielder. Bucky took over rightfield with the starting rightfielder moving from right to left. With a man on second and the score tied, a ball was hit to right. Bucky, playing shallow, charged and threw a bullet to the plate. The call was "safe," on a close play at the plate. Bucky was upset with himself afterwards, but it was evident to all in attendance that Bucky's arm wasn't something to be tested.

Midwest League All-Star Game

A group of hardy Backers, fresh off a missions trip to Arizona made the trek to beautiful Clinton, Iowa. They cheered and yelled for their hero, and fans for the west team gave the Backers the same back. Everyone had a great time, though Bucky's team lost the contest.

Thanks to Jeffrey Brazzale of the Beloit Snappers front office for these pictures!

The Bucky Backers™ First Road Trip

The Bucky Backers™ started their first road trip of the season on June 6th. While all the Backers were not able to make the trip, the ten that did had a night to remember. They left from Wheaton, Illinois and treked up I-90 to Beloit, Wisconsin, home to the Beloit Snappers. Their goal: to see Bucky Jacobsen and his teammates play the Peoria Chiefs.

Shortly after arriving in Beloit, the group started to set up in the bleachers furthest down the first base line. As they were putting the finishing touches on the new B-U-C-K-Y sign Matt Harris, the Snappers' General Manager, stopped by to say hello and welcome the Backers to Beloit. The group was impressed they were noticed so soon - they hadn't even started to cheer.

Bucky was announced and the Bucky Backers™ cheered, drawing the looks of those sitting around them. In the bottom of the first, Bucky came to bat. As always the Backers gave their support. The surprised Peoria Chiefs looked baffled be the support being given to Bucky. Bucky hit a towering shot to straight away centerfield. The ball was tracked down by Peoria's centerfielder on a great running catch inches from the wall. A few feet to the left or the right and the ball would have been gone.

Before the fourth inning, the Backers were approached to take part in the dizzy bat race. Kyle and Bill were up to the challenge and Bill won the contest. Kyle disputs the victory since while running toward Snappy, Bill fell and then "accidentally" tripped Kyle which gave Bill the victory.

The bottom of the fourth brought Bucky back to the plate. Nathan led the group in a cheer: "Give me a B! Give me a U!...." Bucky sent a drive over the wall and the Backers went nuts. Nathan, Kyle, Dan, Colin, and Paul took off their shirts revealing the letters B-U-C-K-Y on their chests as Bucky rounded the bases. The Beloit crowd was amazed at the enthusiasm of the group.

The rest of the game was a blast. Fans came to talk to the Backers, asking how and why the group got started. Dave McSorley of the Snappers stopped by to find out more about the group for a newsletter article. It was turning out to be a great night.

Bucky came up to bat two more times during the game. In the sixth he gave the ball a ride to left but it came just short of the wall for an out. Bucky also came up in the ninth with two outs and flew out to left again. The Snappers could not overcome their six errors and Peoria won the contest.

In talking with Bucky after the game, it was evident that while he extended his league leading home run and RBI numbers to 14 and 50 respectively, he was upset that his team had lost the game. His humbleness and team spirit came through again - the sign of a true ball player.

The Backers hopped in the van and headed home to Illinois, all the more enthusiastic about Bucky and the Snappers. The first-timers were passionate about seeing more games. It was decided that all of the Kane County series in Geneva, Illinois must be attended. The Bucky Backers™ had not been disappointed.

The Bucky Backers™: A Following is Born

The Bucky Backers™ were formed during the May 10th 1998 Kane County Cougars/Beloit Snappers game. A group of friends gathered in Geneva, Illinois at the home of the Kane County Cougars for a graduation/birthday party for Aaron Hayes. The party was held on the VIP deck, which overlooks right field. It was thought that some fun might be had with the Snappers' right fielder, but the group needed to find out his name.

In the second inning, Bucky came up to bat for the second time. Upon hearing the name "Bucky," the group instantly decided it was a great baseball name and needed to be cheered instead of jeered. Bucky quickly came through and hit his second double in as many at bats. From that point on the group (led by Aaron) decided it would be fun to cheer for Bucky the rest of the game. A following was born.

Early on, the sign spelling out B-U-C-K-Y-! was made and the group would welcome Bucky to his spot in right field at the bottom of every inning. At first, Bucky tried to ignore the group. But it was hard to do. Their warmth and enthusiasm was too much. Eventually Bucky seemed to be won over. When Nathan dropped the B of the Bucky sign in the 7th inning, the group was devasted. But when Bucky came out at the bottom half of the inning, the Backers yelled to him to please pick up the B. Bucky ran over, scooped up the B and handed to Nathan with a smile. The fans went nuts. Bucky topped off the day by tossing a ball to the crowd after warming up in the bottom of the 9th.

At the end of the game, the newly named Bucky Backers™ asked Bucky to come over to the right field fence to talk. He motioned toward the visitors dugout so everyone raced over to the other side of the stadium. Bucky was very cordial, waiting with baseball bats for the kids and signed everything that the group asked. He was amazed at the enthusiasm in which these fans cheered for him. "I've never seen anything like this," was the comment uttered from the Backers new hero.