Honest. This is the last roundup. The end of baseball. No more. Really. This is it, Pichi Balet said.

The most veteran of Lincoln Saltdogs hung up his glove and spikes three years ago to become a fireman. Two years ago, he retired again to pursue the firefighting career and go to nursing school. Last year, after one more year, this time at St. Paul, he was done.

He moved back to Lincoln and helped found and run Athology Inc., a fitness center. The program proved popular and the Lincoln city police, Lancaster County Sheriff's Department, county corrections and others were participating in the Protector's Challenge, a fitness program with some friendly competition.

Balet would find himself at Haymarket Park watching his old team.

"I was a good fan," he said. "I love baseball and I like hot dogs. I was done. Done with baseball, and I was OK with that."

But the Saltdogs lost a veteran player to injury before the season started. A search led to no signings, and one of the team's player procurement specialists said Balet was available.

A couple of weeks into the season and Balet was back in a Saltdogs uniform.

A little sore and stressed from trying to balance a business and restart a baseball career that was on hold for 11 months, he found his place in left field. In 31 games with Lincoln, Balet is batting close to .300. He's committed just two errors and he's invaluable.

Friday night, for instance, in a 6-3 loss to Sioux Falls and pitcher Ben Moore, Balet was the only Saltdog with two hits. He scored twice and kept Lincoln in the game.

"It's not easy to come back like that, but he has talent and he has strength and skills and spent the time in the batting cage to get back in baseball shape in a hurry," said Lincoln manager Marty Scott. "We were going to use him as a stop-gap kind of guy, but he's still here, helping the club, and we haven't found anybody out there who is available who is better."

Balet said he's had plenty of help with running Athology and with getting back on the field.

"My biggest fear was not finding the staff at my work and not being able to play one more year," said Balet, whose real first name is Federico. "I'm happy because there are some really great players here and some great people running the business.

"I'm not so excited about long bus trips, but I enjoy being around this team and these guys and having one more shot at baseball."

The Saltdogs play host to Sioux Falls on Saturday at 7:05 and Sunday at 6:05.

Reach Ken Hambleton at 473-7313 or khambleton@journalstar.com.