Oral Clyde Hildebrand
Baseball Field - Franklin Central High School, 6215 South Franklin Road, Franklin Township, Marion County, Indiana, United States of America, Earth, Sol System, Milky Way Galaxy
Thursday, May 16th, 1963 - 3:30 PM
The athlete was also formerly a professional Major League Baseball pitcher for ten seasons from 1931 to 1940 with the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Browns, and the New York Yankees.
Although he retired from Major League Baseball in 1940 and finally from the Minor League Indianapolis Indians in 1942, Hildebrand was contracted by his former team the Yankees to scout out local talent and swipe them right from under Donie Bush's nose even if the Majors were a different animal from the Minors, something that Hildebrand of course was intimately familiar with as those native Hoosiers who become fielded by the Indianapolis Indians could very well be destined for the Indian's current Major League affiliate the Chicago White Soxs.
He opened the pamphlet containing the team roster and scanned down the list to see what name corresponded to the number.
'Number Fourteen is Jacob G. Meyer, catcher yet currently fifth at bats.' Hildebrand then noticed that the player was a Sophomore in High School and had to regrettably pass on the opportunity but the retired ballplayer also couldn't afford to waste such potential so he noted down to have another scout check again in two years and see if the kid was still viable.
Jacob Gregory Meyer - Player 14 and Catcher, Franklin Central High School Flashes
Home Team Dugout - Baseball Field, Franklin Central High School, 6215 South Franklin Road, Franklin Township, Marion County, Indiana, United States of America, Earth, Sol System, Milky Way Galaxy
Thursday, May 16th, 1963 - 3:50 PM
"Well, today turned out to be spectacular." Austin muttered sarcastically in the dugout after taking off his blue baseball cap to wipe away the sweat.
"We did manage to get some excellent hits in." Jake shrugged optimistically. "And we're only two points behind Southport."
"Cricket might have a point though, Jake." Trevor joked.
The two friends rolled their eyes at the getting rather old nickname as this was after all baseball, not cricket.
"Just because my mom came over from World War Two, it doesn't make me Alan Wassell or a fan of the Hampshire County Cricket Club for that matter." Bruce griped as he slid on his glove. "That's like saying Jake is a Hessian."
"I'm just an American, pure and simple." Jake interrupted as he grabbed his mask and mitt. "Even though I don't agree with him politically, Kennedy shouldn't have to defend his faith three years ago and we're all Americans at the end of the day."
"Alright, break time is over!" The coach interrupted. "Make sure that Southport doesn't get a chance to qualify for the tournament this season!"
Jacob Gregory Meyer - Player 14 and Catcher, Franklin Central High School Flashes
Homeplate - Baseball Field, Franklin Central High School, 6215 South Franklin Road, Franklin Township, Marion County, Indiana, United States of America, Earth, Sol System, Milky Way Galaxy
Thursday, May 16th, 1963
Meyer noticed that the man currently on first base glancing at the current batter before him, the body language was telling the right fielder that this was Southport's slugger who was the present batter and therefore he needed to watch the ball.
'Okay, you can do this.' Jake told himself. 'It's possible that he might strike out, it's possible that the ball might head elsewhere but you're ready for anything.'
The fifteen-year old farmboy after thinking decided that the best play was to do an outside slider so he at first showed three fingers, representing the type of pitch in case slider then a single finger, the location of the pitch which was outside.
The pitcher, Austin Becker, nodded and threw the ball as recommended.
"Strike one!"
He then recommended an inside curveball, showing two fingers then four.
"Strike two!"
And finally an inside fastball, one followed by two.
"Strike three: YOU'RE OUT!"
The next player stepped out of the dugout and Meyer decided that another fastball may be just the ticket only for it to not go exactly to plan.
'Turned out I mistaken the slugger.' Jake regretted as the batter slammed the ball and grimaced but the outfielder managed to get the ball and rapidly threw it to the pitcher who forwarded to Jake after noticing that one of Southport's basemen was arriving from third base heading to home.
"I got it!" Jake proclaimed after snatching the ball and he tagged the player inbound to home plate.
"You're out!" The umpire called with his thumb pointing at the dugout.
Jacob Gregory Meyer - Player 14 and Catcher, Franklin Central High School Flashes
Baseball Field - Franklin Central High School, 6215 South Franklin Road, Franklin Township, Marion County, Indiana, United States of America, Earth, Sol System, Milky Way Galaxy
Thursday, May 16th, 1963 -
"Hey, kid! Come over here for a second!"
Jake was astonished to see the former Collegiate Basketball player and Major League Baseball pitcher from neighboring Southport observing from the chain-link fence as incognito as possible yet it was not as if he could remain entirely anonymous despite the graying hair as this was still an individual whose mug had been publicized on baseball cards.
"Number fourteen, right?"
"Yes, sir." Jake verified his jersey number.
"Not bad, the batting could use some work although it is understable due to being a catcher."
"We lost the game by six points but at least the Flashes attempted to turn it around."
"That's alright, there's always next time." The former pitcher consoled despite playing against his High School alumni. "But to be honest I hope you can keep this conversation between us as I'm looking for Major League potentials and you're still a Sophomore but I see potential for you in the near future."
He was noticed by Scout!?
"Respectfully, Mister Hildebrand, I'm honestly not even the best player." Jake confesseed, rather be straight and give credit to another teammate. "Austin is."
"Perhaps but we're not looking at just pitchers." The former pitcher himself smirked. "Keep up the good work, Jake, you should consider trying out for spring training in the future."
Yes, that is Hildebrand's actual first name by the way even if it is unusual nowadays and although Hildebrand was an actual MLB player with his exact experience being summarized in this chapter and of course are also freely accessible online if you're interested.
As far as I'm aware Hildebrand was never commissioned as a scout by any team but I think hypothetically speaking it could have happened especially if it was to literally observe local talent around Franklin Township and surrounding communities such as Beech Grove, Greenwood across the line in Johnson County, and of course Southport.
It isn't just basketball in Indiana and although Hoosier Hysteria will as obligated be portrayed, Baseball is still and rightly ought to be regarded perpetually as America's pastime.
