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™ 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.
