Birmingham state herald., 1896-05-29
WE'RE !, SIR SAID THEY That Is Mobiles CipherS on the
 Score Board. :. YES, IT WAS A GREAT GAME The Visitors Got Only Four Hits Off Frcken, But Played an ErrorIess Game-Re-
 suits Elsewhere.
Result of Yesterdav,s Game.
Standing.

Despite the fact that the weather was threatening, with dark clouds hanging low over the entire valley, goodly crowd turned out to See the opening game of the series between the locals and Gulf Oysters.
 Those who were present were we'll paid for the going, as the game was fast, snappy and brimming over with good plays on both sides.
 The Bluebirds realized that feast of Oyster pie was in sight and went in to get it. The feast they had reserved In cold storage for the visitors was goose eggs, and every time they came to the bat they were presented with one of the dainty oyals.
 Fricken was up for the locals, and pitched magnificent game of ball. Only four hits were made off him, and no two of them in one inning. He struck out six men and only gave up one present.
 Smith did the twirling for the Oysters, and he was hit at timely periods when they counted. He struck out three men and gave up seven bases on balls.
 Only twice did the visitors catch a glimpse of third base, and then only on Ryan's error and fielder's choice.
 Beecher and Trainer were too ill to play and Fuller, though himself unwell, went to short and made some brilliant plays, accepting every chance and getting put out and five assists. He also got in two-bagger and single.
 Every man on both sides fielded his position well, and the game was a pretty one throughout.
 Walsh went to the bat for the locals and commenced with the first ball, drlv- ing it to deep right field fence for three bagger. Fuller next took the willow and sent the second ball offered him to center for two bags, scoring Walsh. Katz fouled to the catcher, and Ryan got a present, but Mckenzie flew out to the pitcher and Rappold struck out Dobbs, for the visitors, hit to second and out al first. Buschman hit safe and stole sec ond. Wiseman famed. Fisher got to first on Ryan's error, and Buschman went to third. Casey hit an ugly grounder to third and Godar nailed it. After taking time to recover he threw high to Ryan and everyone felt sad, but the first baseman stretched himself out and pulled it down in time to cut the runner off before he got to the bag. This was the only critical period In the game for the locals.
 In the second and third innings the locals failed to score, as was also the case with the visitors. In fact, the latter never saw the rubber except in chancing to pass 1t or on going to the bat.
 In the fourth inning Mckenzie was hit on the top of his noodle and walked the line, but was caught mapping at first by the pitcher who threw quickly to first and nailed him, though 1t was a close decision. Rappold singled, and went to third on Godar's double, he and Godar scoring on Gorton's double. Fricken and Walsh got presents. Fuller flew out to short, and Walsh was doubled at second.
 The clouds at this juncture began low ering, and it was feared the elements would cheat Birmingham of the game, but five innings passed and still the vis- itors failed to cross the rubber, and then the fans shouted, "Let the rain come If it wants to-" but it didn't though it was fast growing too dark to see the sphere. Two more innings were played by each side without any change in the score board, and the umpire declared the game called on account of darkness the score being to in favor of Birmingham.
 Following is the score of both teams and figuring will show the playing of