Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-07-24
YESTERDAYS BALL GAME.
FIRST ATLANTIC LEAGUE GAME ON
THE LOCAL GROUNDS.

In Gretty ana Exciting Contest at the
Tigers Park the wilkesbarre Club De-
feated Reading by n Score of o to IA
Large Audience Was Present.
or the vast throng OF people in town
yesterday none of those who found
their way to the Tigers park to see the
ball game between Wikesbarre and
Reading, the main attraction Of the
day, had any cause to regret their choice
Of spending the afternoon. All the ac-
compartments of base ball, in the order
OF succession, enthusiasm, interest, de-
light, excitement and final satisfaction
were there to please the large audience.
The game, which ended in victory for
Wilkesbarre by score of to 7, was
such as the people OF this section like to
witness. 1t opened up briskly with
sharp playing on both sides. Gradually
it warmed into a heavy-hitting but bet
ter fielding game, and closed with the
playing and the excitement at it's high
est point.
This constituted the chief pleasure of
the home people, but it was douby APP
preciable by the followers of the county
seat team, who were present in large
numbers, from the fact that Wilkes
barre took the lead in the third innings
and succeeded in winning out two runs
ahead of their opponents.
The crowd was the largest that has
gathered in the park since the famous
county championship game between
Wilkcsbarre and Hazeton few years
ball in Freeland was reached.
Fully 1,6oo people were on the
grounds yesterday. Many of these ar
rived early. The grand stand was
filled almost in single rush, and the
choice places along the side lines were
speedily occupied.
When the crowd began to joste one
another good-naturedly for position the
players appeared. 1t was noticed that
some of the players and a good many OF
the visitors were disposed to criticize
the field. They seemed to be surprised
to find few small stones on the dia-
mond and little unshaved lawn in the
outer territory.
But before the game was over the
opinion prevailed generally among the
audience that few Irregularities in tho
field do not prevent first-class work.
Both teams took considerable pre-
liminary practice, so that all the men
were thoroughly warmed up when Um-
pire Belts, at o'clock, put the ball in
play. Reading batted first, but could
not make anything.
Wilkcsbarre was blankcd in the first
two innings, but opened the run-getting
in the third by scoring two. They fol-
lowed up the advantage in the fifth by
lighting on to Fertch for four straight
hits, which with the help of an error by
Cockman, netted them five runs.
Reading was put out in one-two-thrce
order for the next five innings. They
could do nothing at all with Goodwin's
cannon ball delivery. But an accident
occurred to the Wilkesbarre man in the
sixth inning, which weakened him for
the rest of the game and gave Reading
their opportunity to score,
Goodwin sent one of his speedest
balls into Snyder. Quick as a flash it
was returned from Snyders bat and
struck the pitcher a little below the
heart The ball rebounded from his
body few yards. Goodwin followed it,
picked it up and threw the batter out
at first. Then he reeled and fell full
length on the ground.
He lay there motionless for several
minutes, suffering considerably, but
finally revived and resumed the game.
The mishap was one which is seldom
met with in base ball, and sent shiver
through the whole audience. Goodwin's
nerve in putting the man out was loudly
applauded, but when, instead OF being
carried off the field seriously injured as
everyone expected, he began to pitch
again, he received an ovation.
The plucky pitcher, however, was
weakened by the hard blow. His shoots
lacked the speed which attracted gen
eral attention in the early part of the
game. Five hits were made off him in
the last three innings, whereas only
two hits, without run, were made in
tho first six.
Reading made dash to win in the
last inning, but fell short. Wilkes
barre had the game well in hand
throughout and finished victorious.
A sensational fly catch by Clymer
and the over-the-fence home run hits of
Clymer and Drauby were the features of
the game.
Following is the complete score: