Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-24
WHEN NATIONALS
BEAT EXCELSIORS
Great Game Played in the
White Lot Before the
President in 1866.
Standard of Fielding Below
That of Today, But Popular
Enthusiasm Greater.


Enthusiasm Greater.
In digging up the old base ball annals
one is particularly struck with the fact
that the teams back in the early days of
the game, 1865 and 1867. generally played
their games in the spring and autumn,
with summer siesta during the months 'of
July and August. Their season ran up
until the final game on the last day of No
vember, usurping the months now devoted
to the pigskin.
In going over the pages of an old scrap
book kept by an enthusiast of those DAVIS
ones attention is attracted by the an
nouncement for Thanksgiving day. loG6 of
two games on the White Lot, at 10 in the
morning. between the Unions and Olym-
plays; at 2:30 in the afternoon between the
Unions and the Deaf and Dumb team. As
this big event came of on Thursday the
9th Of November, one is forced to the con-
ciusion that the climate of those days was
more adaptable to the sport than it is to-
day.
Great Game With Excelsiors.
The first prominent club of the north to
visit the national capital was the famous
Excelsior Club of New York. Ii came in
November 1866 and not only was the
game the first great contest the city ever
had, but the trip Of this famous club was
turned into one of the social features of
that year. President Andrew Johnson al
lowed the erection of seats in the White
Lot, and every available space within the
famous willow trees was taken up with
tasteful decorations, consisting mainly in
inscribed posters such as Welcome, Excel
slor!'' 1--WE Honor Our Guests!' and May
the Best Team VIM
President Johnson and his cabinet per-
sonaily attended the game, and made part
of the vast gathering from Wash ngton
Maryland, Virginia, and even New York
whence special trains were run for the ac
commodation of those interested
The local newspapers played the game
up in "Scare-head' style. After the usual
Introductory column or two, which con-
sisted chiefly in a description of the parade
of the two teams before the Pres.den and
his cabinet, the crowd and music by the
Marine Band, the game is detailed at
various stages as follows:
Methods of Play.
Mitchell of the Excelsiors appeared at
the bat when the game commenced After
the usual number of fouls, strikes etc
Mitchell struck ball high in air to left
field, which Yeatman caught and then
dropped. Clyne then took his position and
adept held in his usually graceful style
Patchen batted 'corker to left field
which brought himself and Mitchell home
Brainerd was the next batter, but unfer-
tunately his career was cut short by short
stop, who nicely fielded the ball to first
base Fletcher yielded up the bat to three
strikes This ended the first innings for
Excelsior, their score standing =
THE Excelsior set their field as follows:
Brainerd, pitcher: Mitchell. catcher; Clyne.
first base; Flanley, second base; Fletcher
third base; Mccullough, shortstop: Jewell
right field; Patchen, left field; Jones, CEN
ter field. -
THE Nationals set their favorite bats
man, Parker, to face the pitching of Brain
erd. After a few preliminary maneuvers,
the batsman struck the ball well to sec
end, which Flanley dropped quickly. it be-
ing, as the players technically called it,
red hot German followed Parker, and
succeeded in reaching his second on a
beautiful strike. Prouty also sent beauty,
from which Parker got home. Berfhrong
them followed, but, unlike his predecessor,
his career was nipped in the bud by Mitch
ell capturing his foul Hodges nicely
'spooned' a ball to first, who held on to
it, whereupon Williams came to the rescue
and knocked German and Prouty in by a
beautiful hit over shortstop's head; how
man being put out at first. The score stood
at the close of the innings: Nationals, g.;
Excelsior. 2.
Time nor space will permit u.s. the
story says, ito review each inning. The
match throughout was played by both
clubs with spirit and energy. There were
muffs and wild throws on both sides; Nc
Cullough of the ExcelsOrs, Brainerd as
pitcher and Flanley as second base eXhib-
tied the best fielding and batting. The
first base, Clyne, made the best hit well
as the most apparent muff of the game.
ION the part of the Nationals the play
ing was uniform, excepting the right, left
and center fielders, they being little out
of practice. Williams made several beauti-
full catches. 1t is due to Billy Williams
pitching in great measure that the Ma
tionals came off victorious. Berthrong, as
catcher, was superb, and fully maintained
the reputation he has earned of being one
of the best catchers in America. Parker
second base made the only double-play OF
the game having taken lghtninger from
off Brainerd's bat, held it beautifully. and
put out two players, amid rounds of APP
plause from the large assemblage.
Sixteen in One Inning.
1.-The fourth inning of the Nationals was
a very brilliant one, for they sashed out
sixteen TALES until the pitcher of Excelsior
was very much discouraged. In this inn
ing Yeatman and Cronin unnecessarily got
out, on account of being imprudent. Prouty,
the heaviest bat in the nine, got in one of
his magnificent hits, but had to halt on
third base, the ball being excellenty fielded
by Jewell. Smith, new player, seemed ill
at ease in the position of shortstop, al
though he played admirably. At the bat
he is grand
1--WE congratulate the Washingtonians on
the results of the game. 1t will do much
toward the promotion of the interests of
the base ball fraternity.
1--WE subjoin the score:
Excelsior HI. R.. Nationals HI r.
Mitchell c...... Parker 2b. ..... q
Clyne lib. ..... German, cf..... 3 3
Patchen, II. .....3 Prouty, 3b. ......3 5
Brainerd p......4 Berthrong, c.....3 3
Fletcher 3b. 49,. l Hodges. 1b......3 4
Mccullough, S.. Williams, p......-2
Jewell IF. ...... Yeatman, IT. /
Flanley, 2b. 49,. = Smith. IS.
Jones CT ........4 Cronin, IF. ....... B
q 80 q &c
Excelsior .......... 0 3 s 3 @ $50
Nationals ........... 16 3 2-36
Umpire-Mr. Dakin of the Excelsiors. Scorers
Hall Nina nf hoIrc n,dio