The June 25 Grand Lake Mariners baseball game was dedicated to Galen Cisco, who threw the first ball of the night at Montgomery Field in Celina. Cisco is a St. Marys native and seven-year Major League Baseball veteran. He started his pro baseball career as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox in 1961 and played for two other teams between ‘61 and ‘69, including the Mets and the Royals. Cisco also pitched in the longest baseball game ever played – 23 innings, pitching the last nine.

“I come here every year. It’s always a good night and reminds me of the old baseball days and brings back a lot of memories. I like to see these guys develop and start on their way to making themselves available to professional teams. That’s a good place to start,” said Cisco. When asked what he liked best about baseball, he said, “My favorite thing about baseball? It really wasn’t a job. It was hard work, but it was fun. And being around the players keeps you young and you get to be around a lot of guys who understand the game and that you can’t be the top kingpin every time you go out there.”

Joining Cisco on the field was his long-time friend and fellow baseball player Norman “Whitey” Klosterman wearing his original 1952 Motezuma Ducks uniform. The Montezuma Ducks were a semipro team. Klosterman, a catcher for the Ducks, said, “I’d like to have caught Galen. I almost did in Botkins – he played for Botkins before he went to the majors. And somebody called me and said, ‘Can you catch Galen Cisco?’ and I said,

‘I can catch anybody.’ And they said, ‘Well, you’re going to catch him tomorrow night.’ And then, he went to the majors and I didn’t get to catch him.”

Cisco and Klosterman signed baseballs, posed for photos, and talked with the many fans in attendance during the game. Fans also enjoyed an appearance from Monty the Mariner, the Grand Lake Mariners mascot, and the performance of the national anthem by Makenzie Regedanz, Celina alum and Miss Ohio competitor. Fans also had a chance to win several door prizes from Celina Insurance Group, who sponsored the evening, and to enjoy plenty of Mariner dogs, slushies, and family fun activities.

“We’re honored to be able to celebrate the baseball life and the life in general of Galen Cisco and his batting mate tonight, Norman “Whitey” Klosterman…terrific fella. Still able to wear his 1952 uniform at 90 years old. It’s just incredible,” said Bill Montgomery.

The Grand Lake Mariners were up against Lima Locos. The Mariners gained a 3-run lead early in the bottom of the third and played a strong defensive game with 3 neat double plays in the first 4 innings. They were finishing the game with a 4-run lead at the top of the ninth when Evan Holstein (Canton, Georgia, Sophomore at Kennesaw State University) of the Locos hit a grand slam. The Locos

then proceeded to hit four, 2 run singles and a 1-run single, clearing 13 runs in one inning for a 13 to 4 advantage by the bottom of the ninth. In this improbable turn of events, the Mariners held strong, bringing in 3 more runs before the end of the game. Yet, The Locos won 13-7.

The Mariners play six days a week with all home games at Montgomery Field. June will close with games on Friday (27), Saturday (28), and Sunday (29) evenings with Saturday being the Challenger Game. The Challengers will play a game with Mariner players from 4:45-5:30. There will be free hotdogs and concessions for all Challenger players and caregivers.

Sunday is Family Day where kids can run the bases and get player autographs after the game. July’s schedule will kick off with Scout Appreciation Night on Wednesday, July 2, at 6:30 p.m. All boy and girl scouts will receive free admission.