Ex-Lums back on the field for a good cause

For some, it’s a chance to dust off the baseball glove and play a game they’ve loved since they could swing a bat.

Whatever the reason, and there’s plenty, members of the Coeur d’Alene American Legion baseball program — both past and present — will hit the field once again.

THE FOURTH annual Capaul Classic, an alumni game between former players of the Coeur d’Alene Legion baseball program will be played on July 15 at Thorco Field in Coeur d’Alene.

Thus far, 22 players have confirmed they’ll take part in the event, which remembers Adam Capaul, a former Lumbermen player who passed away on Dec. 21, 2013.

Capaul graduated from Lake City High in 2004 and went on to play baseball at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, Wash., then coached in the Lums’ program for three years.

“We’ve had a lot of guys that have really gotten into the spirit of the whole thing,” event organizer Nick Groth said. “We’re raising money to donate in his honor and we tend to get a lot of guys to come out in that aspect.”

In recent years, an graduating player from the Coeur d’Alene program has received a scholarship in Capaul’s honor. A silent auction will also be held, with prizes including autographed baseballs from Don Larsen, Mark McGwire and Trevor Hoffman, as well as golf passes and a night stay at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

“Adam’s parents (Ken and Toni Capaul) have really done a great job of helping us put everything on,” Groth said.

THE DAY will start with the Lumbermen AA team facing Lewis-Clark in a North Idaho League doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. at Thorco Field.

“With those teams playing right before us, hopefully it will generate some interest in the auction and our game,” Groth said. “This will be the first time we’ve had the AA team in town on the same day, so hopefully some of those players and parents will want to stick around and watch and participate in the auction.”

A home run derby will precede the alumni game starting at 6 p.m.

Cost to play in the game is $30, which includes a T-shirt. Proceeds from the game will go toward the scholarship and the program.

Among those players confirmed are Alex Capaul — Adam’s brother and former Lum — as well as Kyle Johnson, who is currently an assistant coach in the program. Both have playing experience in the minor leagues.

“Kyle’s going to be bringing a little higher quality of player to the game,” Groth said. “We’re going to have quite a few college kids as well. It’s going to be some pretty decent talent out there, no matter what the age might be.”

Due to a lack of numbers, only one game will be played this year.

“We’ve had some trouble getting guys in the past and ideally, we’d have a game for the older guys and another for the younger kids,” Groth said. “We’re not getting the turnout that we need to do two games. Ideally, we’d have 25 to 30 play in the game.”

That being said, Groth, a former Lumberman, still enjoys competing in the game, no matter who’s on the other side.

“It’s always fun to go out and play,” Groth said. “I only get the chance to play once a year now, but it’s always fun to get out and swing the bat.”

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at (208) 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter @JECdAPress.