County softball association inducts five new members

by Peter Jakey– Managing Editor

On a weekend when the best softball action of the season is played in Rogers City, members of the Presque Isle County Men?s Softball Association honor some of their most outstanding athletes of the past with induction into their Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place prior to the men?s championship game at ?The Hole? August 5. The newest members include Eugene Grulke, Larry Hopp, Gerald ?Butchie? Krueger, Harley Schaedig, and Rodney Spomer. All five brought different talents to the ball diamond, but all played with sportsmanship in and out of the county.

Eugene Grulke– ?I loved playing ball,? said Grulke, who played his entire career with Deer Hunt. He played all of his games on the long abandoned Heythaler Highway field, never playing a single game on the US-23 field, which also is no longer used. A solid fielding infielder, Grulke played third base and shortstop, and was known for having soft hands. Grulke?s fondest memory came in a softball tournament in Alpena when a team called ?Blatz? chided the Deer Hunt players that they were nothing but a ?bunch of old farmers.? Grulke admits it was true, but it was this group of farmers that knocked off Blatz to win the tourney. Grulke also played in the Over 30 League as well.

Larry Hopp– Appearance-wise, Hopp was remembered for having a ZZ Top-like beard and going by the nickname of Moses. As a softball player, he was known for loosening threads on softballs, because he hit them so hard. Hopp, who lives in South Haven, but was still represented on the field festival weekend, played first base for Hawks Bean Company, Deer Hunt, and Radio Tavern.. ?He was a really good hitter,? said Karl Grambau, who served as master of ceremonies for the event. ?He hit really hard line drives.? If Hopp blasted one out of the park, it got out in a hurry.

Gerald ?Butchie? Krueger– As a pitcher for Hawks Bean Company during a time when there was unlimited arch, Krueger was known for throwing the ?blooper ball.? He helped lead a talented Hawks Bean squad to a Mio Father?s Day Tournament title in 1985. He also won the most valuable player trophy. The exact amount is not known, but Grambau believes Hawks Bean Co. won a few county championships with Krueger on the mound. He was a good singles hitter, who did a good job of fielding his position.

Harley Schaedig– ?He enjoyed playing the game and was a true example of sportsmanship,? said Grambau. Schaedig was the winning pitcher on Kelly?s Venture Inn, the last local team to win the

Nautical Men?s softball championship 27 years ago. He was ?in awe? to be honored with fellow inductees, Hopp and Spomer, who stood with him at home plate for the ceremony. Schaedig played for Kelly?s for 10 years, then Radio Tavern for two, and then played in the Over 30 League for the next two decades. He hasn?t hung up the cleats just yet, as he still plays in Onaway?s co-ed softball tournament every year with his son. Regarding a highlight in his career, Schaedig fondly remembers when Al Kerr started in the league. Schaedig said Kerr, who lost his life to cancer 10 years ago, ?was a good kid? and a ?gentleman.?

Rodney Spomer– One of three ball players honored at ?The Hole? August 5, Spomer played for Deer Hunt and later Rainbow Lounge during his career. ?He was a heckuva good hitter, and competitive,? said Grambau. Spomer usually played outfield, but he could play anywhere. He will be remembered for his towering homers and strong throws from the outfield. He and Grulke played key roles on the powerful Deer Hunt team of the 60s and early 70s. ?The teams he played on were winners,? said Grambau.