A bit like old times for former big-leaguers
August, Klawitter to face off Sunday
On Sunday afternoon, at a baseball diamond not that far from Miller Park, two major-league pitchers will square off in a game that has generated some local buzz.
What? Wait a minute. Did Major League Baseball reach an agreement while we weren’t looking to play in 2020 after the start of its season was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic?
No, baseball fans, that minor miracle hasn’t happened yet. And, in full transparency, the pitchers facing each other are former major-league pitchers, right-hander Don August, who once pitched for the Brewers, and lefty Tom Klawitter, competing in the age 55-plus division of the amateur Rock League Baseball, affiliated with the Men’s Senior Baseball League.
Still, baseball is baseball, especially during a pandemic, right? And how often do former big-leaguers pitch in the same game in local amateur baseball?
“I’m sure there are advance sales going on right now,” joked Klawitter, well aware there is no admission fee for the 3:30 p.m. game to be played at Milkmen Stadium, home of the currently inactive Milwaukee Milkmen, an independent professional club that began play in 2019.
League games usually are played at the massive Rock Sports Complex at
Ballpark Commons in Franklin, with six age divisions – 18-plus, 25-plus, 35plus, 45-plus, 55-plus and 62-plus. After a delay during the early stages of the pandemic, play began last weekend, with everyone instructed to take their own COVID-19 precautions.
“Our members voted to play,” said league president Jim Rinelli, a retired Milwaukee firefighter. “We started May 26, with a total of 48 teams. We were one of the first leagues to open in the country. We had a team drop out because they didn’t feel comfortable (playing during the pandemic) and we understand.
“We put out a readiness plan. Social distancing is a big thing, with a limited number of players in the dugout. Masks (off the field) are strongly encouraged but not mandatory. We have hand sanitizer stations everywhere.
“The Milkmen Stadium is a gorgeous 4,000-seat facility. Since they aren’t playing, we’re moving some Rock League games there from the Complex to give the guys a chance to play there. Otherwise, we have games on four other diamonds. We are asking our fans to practice social distancing as well.”
August, 56, is a newcomer to the Rock League but certainly not new to baseball in the Milwaukee area. He pitched for the Brewers from 1988-91, breaking in with a big rookie season (13-7, 3.09) and going on to post a 34-30 record and 4.64 ERA over 88 games (70 starts) before his major-league career ended.
By then, August, who grew up in Southern California, had married a local woman, Tami, and settled down in Menomonee Falls after retiring as a professional pitcher.
“I met her in spring training in 1988,” he said. “I had just been sent down from major-league camp to minor-league camp. Some of us went out and we met these girls from Wisconsin, and one thing led to another, and we eventually got married.”
August did not stop pitching after retiring, however. Beginning in 2001, he competed yearly in the Land O’ Lakes League, a highly competitive and popular circuit comprised primarily of former high school, college and even some professional players. As he got older, it became tougher to keep up with younger players, so he decided to play in his own age group.
“It’ll be more fun playing with guys my own age,” said August, who made his first start for the Lugnuts last weekend. “I’ve been throwing all these years, so I’ve kept my arm in shape. About four or five years ago, I did some throwing inbetween seasons to keep my arm going. I still give pitching lessons, so I’ve kept it in shape.”
Klawitter, 61, a Janesville native, pitched for Division III UW-La Crosse, where he performed well enough to be selected in the 19th round of the 1980 draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was released three years later and signed with Minnesota, making it to the majors briefly in ’85, going 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA in seven appearances (two starts).
After retiring from baseball, Klawitter returned to Janesville and took a job as a physical education teacher at Parker High School. He became coach of the girls varsity basketball team and had a highly successful 26-year tenure, winning three state championships and finishing with a 564-128 record, making him the fifth-winningest coach in Wisconsin history.
“We had a great run,” Klawitter said. “We had some great ballplayers and did well. That was fun.”
While coaching basketball, Klawitter kept his hand in baseball, coaching and pitching for the Janesville Aces of the Rock River League for 20-some seasons.
He also took a job five years ago as pitching coach at UW-Whitewater, one of the top baseball programs in NCAA Division III.
Much like August, Klawitter sought to play age-appropriate baseball and decided to pitch in the Rock League’s 55plus division for the Rangers.
“The biggest reason I’m playing on this particular team is that I know a few of the guys personally,” he revealed. “I got there last week and they started talking about this game coming up against the team that Don August is pitching for.”
August said he was “pretty sore” after pitching his first game for the Lugnuts but still enjoys competing with the same goal he had as a pro – throwing strikes.
“I went seven innings in my first game and didn’t walk anybody, so that’s good,” said August, who works in the Germantown School District as a special education aide. “I’ve always tried to throw strikes and keep the walks down. Walks will kill you, anytime, anyplace, 55 years old, Little Leagues, whatever.
“I just try to throw my fastball and locate it. I throw a little slider. I have a curveball but I didn’t throw it in my first game. A lot of these guys played competitively, whether it was high school or college. The first thing to go are your legs. Nobody can run. Everyone’s legs are gone. We know the fundamentals but we’re equally slow. But we all love to play.”
As for what the amateurs think of the in-fighting by MLB that has prevented a plan for 2020 to be adopted, August said, “We’re all still hoping we can have some kind of a season. I’ll take about anything right now, as a baseball fan. I’d hate to see a whole year with no baseball.
“Somewhere, there’s got to be a common ground they can live with. They’ve got to figure it out. Fans are really missing baseball.”
Much like in the majors, teams play to win in the Rock League, no matter the age group. But, as you get older and move into the latter divisions, Klawitter admitted there are different forms of success.
“Every time my arm feels good, that’s a victory right there,” said Klawitter, who went four innings in his first start for the Rangers. “Obviously, some guys take it more seriously than others. The game’s a little slower at our age.
“I’ve pretty much stayed with the same pitches I’ve always thrown – fastball, curveball, slider and forkball. Whatever happens to be working that day, I stick with it. I still work at it and being around the younger kids helps me stay young.
“Despite (the pandemic), I’m very comfortable going out and playing ball. I’m glad we’re getting to play some games. And it’s very nice to be able to play (in Milkmen Stadium).”
With 48 teams competing across the Rock League, you don’t often see a particular game stand apart from the rest. But Rinelli admitted the August vs. Klawitter matchup caught folks’ attention.
“We have a few ex-pro baseball players that play in our league,” said Rinelli, who plays on a 35-plus team despite being 52. “Some played in the minors. But as far as former major-leaguers, these are the only two.
“I know once word got around that they’d be facing each other, the guys have been talking about it. It’s great for the league.”