The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1884-06-04
Old Rip Van WinkIe Awakes-'
Base B all on his BraIn--B cts,
Bats, Balls, Bounces and
Beauty--Bunched!

1t IS probable that the base ball fever
never before bubbled so vivsciously in
Raleigh and round about as within the
past few weeks. The weather has been
fine, business not specially brisk. and
few other sources of amusement open
to our young men. So it happens that
nearly every town has its club and
each considers itself a little the best in
creation. Hence matches" are struck.
The negroes have their own clubs, and
daily parade the streets with bands of
music, bats oblique, and the sang froid
of Sherman's bummers.
We have not space TO report the va
rious matches but will mention that
the Swiftfoots of Raleigh are undergoing
a lively campaign with several clubs IN
adjacent towns. The first game of a
match with the Cyclones OF Dur
ham resulted as follows:-
On Monday, the Durhamite. came
down in force to witness the second
game of the match. Fully fifty proml-
nent citizens of the town were present
at the game. A large number Of ladies
were present, and many carriages. The
excitement was heightened by numer-
Gus rumors that Col. Blackwell would
give $1,000 to the Durham boys II sue
cessful ; and that certain Raleigh par
ties had large sums bet. 1t is said that
one man lost 5000; while another won
sl25.
The game was long, and not very well
played but this took none of the inter-
est for the spectators. Capt. S. {. White
made a good Umpire.
We borrow from the NepS- Observers
report:
S%wiftfoot: c T Askew, IS, 6; Will
liam Dunn. 3rd b, 4; William Liuehan,
f, 5; Ed Lewis, c +, .; Lee Perry, p, 5;
Chas Separk, I'd b, 4; ID T Adams; lst
b, s.; Chas H Jordan, c, 2; Ernest
Haynes, r f, 5; total 3S.
Banner: Joe J Bernard, l f, 5; J NJ
Green, g 3, 3; r c Morris, r f, 3; r l.
Gattis, lst b, 4; McC Neal, p, 5; w }
Lougee, c, i; 7 p Lyon, Sd b, 3; r S
Wynne, Cd b, 3; T II Linthicum, C f. 3;
total 80.
The Durham boys are a fine looking,
manly lot of young fellows, and made a
pleasant impression during their entire
stay.
Of the home nine Askew did very
clever playing and showed marked abili-
ty as captain, handling his men well.
He made the best score of his nine.
The cheering of the great crowd at
good plays and hard batting might have
been heard a mile, but it required a
home-run to develop the full power of
their lungs. At the conclusion of the
game there was the widest scene ever
witnessed on a ball field here.
The Swiftfoots, having been chal-
lenged by the Henderson club, played
the first game in Raleigh a few weeks
ago, and won it by 10 to Is. The Sec
ond game was played at Henderson and
was very interesting and well-played.
A car load of Raleigh men went down
and there were many hundreds of spec
tators. The visitors q and all will new
er forget the occasion and the generous
hospitality of their hosts. The visitors
were met at the depot, and upon the
breast Of each was placed a badge bear
ing the word "Welcome.' At the hotel
a bountiful dinner, specially prepared,
was given and full justice was done it.
The time for the game was set for 2:30.
At 2 O'Clock every store in the town was
closed, every factory shut down, and
there was an absolute cessation Of all
business. The visitors were placed in
carriages and with a brass band heading
it, the procession went to the old fair
grounds, half a mile from the town.
The ground is an excellent one. 1t was
estimated that 1000 people saw the
game, a number of these being from
Oxford. The interest manifested was
remarkable. Mr.. Wyche, of the Caro-
lima warehouse, acted as umpire. At
2:30 sharp the game was called. The
umpire's rulings were very correct
and gave entire satisfaction. The
Henderson boys won by score of
ii to 9. Great pleasure was mani
and speeches were made
by Col. Burgwyn, Mr.. Walter r.. Hen
ry, Capt. Askew, ct al. The deciding
game is to be played at Wake Forest.
June 18th, after the college commence
ment exercises close for the day. A
crowd will attend.