Jan and I moved into Freedom Village June 13 of this year, 2014. One of the residents I was surprised to meet here was Nelson Stegeman. Nelson was the principal of New Groningen school in Zeeland when I was a student in Borculo Public School. I remember him because the Borculo Public School softball team would play New Groningen school. In a conversation with Nels he told me a story about one of those games, so I asked him to write the story and I would type it for him into this blog. So what follows is what Nels wrote.
Mr. Vanden Bosch,
You are making me go back 64 years with my memories. I'm not so sure of being capable, but I will try.
In the spring of 1951 or 1952, I was working with the New Groningen 6,7,8 graders on the playground each recess and noon. I was 100% involved and loved every moment of it. The players who were involved are still considered my friends.
A tournament was played in the spring which involved bigger schools than Borculo and New Groningen. Beechwood, Harrington, Lakeview, Waukazoo were all bigger that we. However, in softball, Borculo and N.G. were left to play for the championship, being country schools where softball was special. We agreed to play on the softball diamond in Borculo. I do not remember who the umpire was. Jerry Plasman and I had become friends. I was nervous because Borculo had a "big" fellow named Bob Vollink who could really pitch. I couldn't imagine us winning with Bob pitching.
Came the game of the playoff for the championship, a rather large crowd was there. Most I believe were from N.G.. My families were so involved.
I was prepared for a loss because of Bob Vollink.
The game came and what an excitement at least on New Groningen's side.
The game started. Low and behold Jerry Plasman had decided that Bob V. would be at shortstop because he felt that would be better. I couldn't believe it.
I do not remember who substituted for Bob as pitcher. As a result we won by a big score like 15 to 2. I couldn't believe what happened.
Jerry and I often talked later about the choice he made. Later, Jerry Plasman moved into my district and his son became a player for me at N.G. He was an especially good runner who starred in Zeeland High in football and some track. Later his son Ron taught in Zeeland for his teaching career.
This is how I remember those days.
/s/ Nelson Stegeman