The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-07-25
I'll. Prin,er., Base Ball Match.

1Ox 1'rlmIere' 1taoe 0aAA UAascus r.
The big base ball match between the printers
OF the FREE TRADER and the printers of the
Republican office "came Off according to previous
announcement last Saturday afternoon. The
challenge had been sent some ten days previous
ly by the Republican Office, and was promptly
accepted. On counting noses it was found that
the Republicans could muster but eight players,
and it was agreed that the match should be
made up Of eight on side, to dispense with a
short stop, and to play seven innings On this
basis the respective lists were made up and
about week of intervening time allowed for
practice.
thus things went on swimmirgly until the
great and eventful day arrived "The sun rose"
de-, and at meridian poured down his most
piercing rays, the thermometer standing at 100
IN the shade. proposition was made to post
pone on account of weather. and portion of the
Free Trader Club were ready to accept, not
enly on account Of the heat, but because two of
the players they depended on were on the sick
list. Later IN the day, however, the SUM- Aoblig-
ingly went behind the Clouds and the plea for
postponement vanished. To make up the requi-
site number Tor the Free Trader, however. it
became necessary, at that late day, 10 press into
the service both our senior editor and our fore
man, the latter III anything but ball PLAYING
condition, and neither, so far from being base
baliists, having ever seen game played
However, being in for it, we determined to
Eight it out on that line if it took all summer"
Promptly at . o'clock both parties were on the
ground, and lots having been cast, the Republi-
cans went to oat. The game opened with great
spirit and the Republicans succeeded in making
three runs. Then came our turn, and being at
the head Of the list, our senior made his maiden
bat Bully for him He hit the ball the first
time, and got in score. Three more were equal
ly fortunate, and the first inning ended with the
Free Traders one ahead. Second inning. the
Republicans got in but one score and the Free
Traders eight. Third inning the Republicans
rallied, did their level best, and made 13. The
Free Traders only made five, leaving the score
exactly even-l7 tor each office. The Free
Traders now saw that if they would win immor-
taLity on this field, they must work. So they
went IN On their muscle, and scored IA: the Re-
publcans could match it with but t. Next in
ming the Republicans, not yet disheartened, went
in 1otcked, sending several flies OF amazing alt-
tude and swiftness across the field. Our senior,
in his newborn enthusiasm recklessly confronted
one of the most savage OF these flies, ana essayed
I TO stop it. He might as wen have tried to stop
cannon ball. 1t simply touched the third finger
Of his lett hand and stopped in the grass FIVE or
six rods beyond him. Hastily gathering it up
and hurling it in, he felt singing sensation in
his finger. Looking at it, he discovered the
first Joint turned back at right angles, and the
inside of the joint badly lasceratcd He then
and there came to the conclusion that base ball,
and particularly catching flies, was not "his
/ strong hold, and retired from the field. His
/ place, however, was taken by a raember of our
invalid corps and the game was played to the
end. The 9th inning ended in 6 and 6, the Ira
ders still 10 ahead. On the 9th inning the Re-
! publicans were whitewashed and the Traders
scored 4. The 7th and last inning added but .
moro to the score of the Republicans leaving
the Traders ahead, and still to gro to the bat
They played carelessly and made but two, end
ing IL ahead. The only other incidents of the
game we noted were that the pitcher of the Re-
publicans undertook to gobble fly by receiving
it between his eyes, a feat in which he signally
failed and one of their felders undertook tc
gobble similar bird BY receiving it on his fore
head-another failure. .-rt
The most friendly spirit on both sides wa.
maintained throughout the game, and every,
thing passed off smoothly and pleasantly.
Mr.. Bryant, of the Shabbona club, kindly act
ed as Umpire, and won golden opinions from
both sides for the promptness and fairness Of hi,
decisions.
The following is the score: