Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-07-27
Base Ball.
RAno11rrE /. MECHANIC rALLs /.

RADCLIFFE 1; MECHANIC FALLS 1.
Saturday the base ball fans OF this
vicinity witnessed another of those
games which they will long remember
and one that was played under about .,
trying conditions as could be imagined
Rain fell at frequent intervals through
ont all the last part of the contest, max
ing it very dIsagreeable to both players
and spectators. The rain, however, was
not sufficient to cool of the excitement
of the contest or cause any of the large
crowd present to leave until the game
was finally called off after two men had
been retired in the first half of the tenth
inning.
The game was necessarily late in start.
ing, the Mechanic Falls team and large
crowd of their supporters coming on the
afternoon train and returning on a
special train after the contest was over.
The fact that the weather looked decid-
eddy like rain did not prevent one OF the
largest crowds of the season from, attend
| ing, and it is evident that the base ball
people appreciate the kind of ball that is
being provided for them and are ready to
do their part by their attendance. This
game was the first of series between
these two teams for the championship Of
Western Maine, and shows that some
rare sport is in store for the fans before
the title is settled.
A prolonged kick in the seventh in
ming marred the pleasure of the game
and somewhat Disguised those present
who were waiting in the rain for the two
teams to play ball, on decision that
would have been settled without any
trouble had any on the field had rule
book. The play YVES one that any player
or umpire should have known at once
how to decide, but the umpires disagreed
and both stuck to their decision. In my
opinion, Davis, the Mechanic Falls um-
pire, was wrong in two ways. In the
first place think 1t was not his decis-
ion, and again, the decision that he made
was contrary to very plainly worded
rule, which tells exactly how such a play
should be settled. There was one out at
! the time and Cannon of the Radcliffe
team at the bat. He hit the ball hard,
it going through the pitchers box and
hitting umpire Clark, who was behind
the pitcher. Adams then picked the ball
up and threw it to first ahead of the
runner. Davis called the man out, and
Clark, under the rule which says that on
such plays the batsman shall be entitled
to his base and be credited with hit,
declared him safe. The only ground
Davis had for bis decision was that
Adams touched. the ball before 1t hit
Clark. think it would make no differ
euce whether he did or not, but the
Radcliffe players do not admit that he
did touch it. After long discussion the
Mechanic Falls team gave in, allowing
Cannon his base, and the game was con-
tinued.
1t was splendid contest with very
little to choose between the work of the
two teams. 1t was pitchers battle
from beginning to end with both in fine
form. Neither team earned their run,
and never would have scored but for the
cluster of errors that were made in the
third inning, five of the seven errors
made in the game coming in this inning.
Leith struck out eight, gave two passes
and allowed four hits, one coming in the
first half of the tenth. Adams struck
out eleven, gave one pass and also
allowed four hits, pitching in nine in
nings.
In the third inning Weston reached
second on Purrington's out and scored
when Adams sent hard ground ball
over first base that Cannon could not
get to. Liz)tte, who played for Radcliffe
against the Mohawks but who was on
third for Mechanic Falls in this game,
was mainly responsible for Radcliffe's
run in their half OF this inning. With
two men out, he made wild throw to
first in fielding Lanen's ground ball.
Lanen kept on for second, Barker got
the ball and threw 1t into left field, try.
ing to catch him at second, and he easily
made third. He took a long lead off
third and Tilton threw to catch him, he
made for the plate and scored, Lizptte
throwing the ball hard and low where
Tilton could not get it. This ended the
scoring, the pitchers working we'll and
receiving good support after this.
The game was called in the first half
of the tenth inning with two men out and
burlington on first, after hitting safely.
The rain began to fall heavily and the
condition of the balls and the field made
the calling of the game the fairest thing
for both teams.
The game was not featured by any
special play, but it was good, fast play
ing by both teams throughout the con-
test.
The same two teams will play at
Mechanic Falls next Saturday, and it is
expected that arrangements will be made
for a special train to leave Norway about
one o'clock for Mechanic Falls 80 that
all the supporters of the team will be
able to see the game.
LaFrance was on third in this game
for Radcliffe, and Cole of this village
took his place in left field. There is no
doubt about Coles ability to play this
position, but third is new to LaFrance
and his work there will be watched with
much interest.
In the following score the players get
ting the put outs In the part of the tenth
inning played and also the one making
the hit are so credited, but the score by
innings is for the nine completed in
nings:
pAnCTJTEE