The Omaha Padres played Sunday

A collection of priests from the Omaha Archdiocese gathered Sunday for the I-80 Collar Series at Werner Park as they  hosted the priests from the Lincoln diocese.

Fr. Pietramale brought plenty of holy water.

 All the priests signed posters...

 ... and took in the atmosphere of

 playing before 8,000 fans.

 But before they even took the

 field, they met and prayed.

 Then it was time for the national anthem ...

 and player introductions ...

 ... before the game got underway.

Fr. Brancich was the first priest from

 the Omaha team to get a hit (and score).

Fr. Vogel would soon be on base as well.

Above Fr Mario Rapose tagged third for 

one out and looks to first for a double play.

There were some hi-jinks on the field.

The Omaha team kept the trainers busy. Fr. Korth felt his hamstring pop during warm-ups. He was, we think, the only Omaha priest to play baseball in college. He was unable to take the field (though he did manage to bat with a pinch-runner.) On the right, Fr. Vogel got some cuts bandaged.

Captain-Father Voithofer called his shot.

 Fr. Ben Boyd stays on second base.

 Fr. Mark Beran got his workout on the field.

We don't recall exactly what the final score was or who won. We do know the last batter for the home team ended up being Fr. Hoesing (stepping up the the plate above) and the last play was him sliding for an inside the park home run.

It was a great and fun event!