The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-12-28
BIdSE BILL.
The ssR ubber'' Game--Thc Alerts Again
Victo rious-A Cold Timc-sonethins
About the Pastimc-1 Cool Dny-A Cool
Reception.

SAVANNAH, December 25, 1SGS.-The third OF
rubber and probably the last game that
will be played between the Alert Base Ball
Club of Charleston aud the Forest City Club
of Savannah, took place in this city to-day.
As NAV be remembered by your readers, the
Alers we're organized in May, 1867. Onthe
4th of July of that year they responded to
friendly challenge to meet their present op-
ponents, but lacking the ncedful skill ana ex-
pcriepce with ball and bat to achieve success.
on that occasion failel. subsequently Oh the
7th of September, the return match was play
ed in the City OF Charleston, when they SLOWED
the result of ambitious training b. bearing
away the prize. The present game WAS 1or the
purpose of determining still further the claim
ofthe respective clubs to superiority, and al
though paying under very adverse crcum-
stances, the Alerts again exhibited those ao-
mir BILE qualities which at the beginning pro-
missed so much in favor OF the now national
pastime.
The game is an institution peculiar to
Ameri a. England taught us yachting, gave
us lessons in horse racing, and can beat US at
cricket; but when it comes to handling a two
and-a-half inch ball, with bat in hand, getting
over three hundred and sixty feet OF ground
while the aforesaid ball is ''oa the fy," catch
ing cred hot plungers, chasing "daisy cutters .
AMI all that sort of thing, Young America can
outwhip all creation.
Every school boy remembers the old game
of .sround ball. and how at recess or Oh ms
way home the favorlte spot was sought, and
sometimes hours were spent in tho innocent
rivalry of skill and muscle. The present game
is not dissimilar, except in the fact that
it has been systematized, regulated by
fixed rules, calls for higher degree OF
art if not of science, and requires the
development Of peculiar physical traits.
According as these qualities are possessed By
the player he takes rank in the organization
OF the club. The good ''pitcher," he who
throws the ball to the batsman, must for 1E-
stance bo strong Of arm, adroit in so twisting
the ball as to deceive tho eye, and exercise
the keenest Judgment in discovering the weak
points of his adversary. The sicatcher" must
like the claws; of crab, and legs that will
corkscrew themselves into any shape the
emergency may require. And, SO every No.
/ PLAYER must have certain peculiarities, be-
sides the agility, wind and strength which are
c3mmon to all. These go to make up the sum
Of success, and give corresponding rank to
thai club which combines them in the largest
and most diversified array.
L. has been estimated that there are not less
than eleven thousand Of these organizations in
the United States. In New England especially
there is scarcely village that cannot boast OF
it's half dozen, while in and around New York
there arc no outdoor pastimes which in their
season draw 60 many spectators. OF both sexes,
as these semi-Oympic cnjoyments. Enough,
however, by way Of introduction. 1t has only
been said because few persons in the south aio
aware of the interest which attaches to every
match game played, especially as on an occa-
sion like the present, where the "ballistlc"
reputation OF two cities was concerned.
1t has been already remarked that the time
was not propitious. Had you been on the
steamer en- route to Savannah, you woald have
realized it before getting literally "halt- seas
over" We left Accomm odatlon wharf at ten
A. NJ, and from that timo until four o'clock
the next morning, we're plungins through the
coolest air and water that ever preceded c
southern Christmas. In all 10 ;pects, however,
it was a-n-ice day, and the young men retain
ed their enthusiasm better than could have
been expected under the shiyering circum-
stances. Their spirits only congealed on land
ing, to find no one in waiting to receive the
guests, and in mournful procession they sought
the neal ost hossl. Sunrise was usherod IN
With chorus OF toots from tin horns that
made one imagine Gabriel was practicing an
overture for his last trump; and later IN the
dav Savannah Was alive with the same p,ram-
bu!ating congregation you probably saw in the
Getty by the Sea-" Ineed not describe it.
4 little before high noon, committee from
the Forest City Club waitel upon the Alerts
at their hotel with an omnibus, and the picked
nine we're conveyed to the ground selected for
play. This was an admirable spot in the rear
of that pride OF our sister city-the park.
Game was called at twelve o'clock, and the
Alerts having won the toss took "thc field"
L will be unnecessary to occupy space with
detailed description of the progress of the
game, because few besides 'ballists" would
understand or appreciate them, and the "bal!-
lists" themselves will learn all they wish to
know on reading tho Off i:ial report ofthe scorer.
The general remark, however, may be made that
the PLAYING on both sides was not up to the
standard. Whether it was the weather which
was freezing cold, or the absence of great au-
dience-there we're only about three hundred
spectators presenter the chatting of the
crowd, or misunderstanding among the mem
bers of the Forest City club, or some other
cause not to be explained, others must deter
mine; but the Alerts felt that under more auspi-
c;ous circumstances they could do even better
than carry away the prizes which they did. Or
these, Easou won pair OF professional shoes,
for making the most runs, and Hesn won the
belt for the most ''fy-catchcs.' The club it,
self won handsome book for general playing.
When the game was concluded, the Alerts
retired. There was no speech making, and
except from the citizens, who are always alive
10 the presence of strangers, there was no
interchange of hospitality. learn, inform
olly, that tine Forest City Club will be broken
up, and presume that internal dissentions