Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1909-01-21
BASE BALL IN
THE SIXTIES

An article appeared in the "Phila-
delphia Evening Bulletin of recent
date dwelling on some of the peculiar
tiles of old time base ball, which art
icle has created quite as much interest
in this city as in Philadelphia where
the article was inspired. The clipping
from the Bulletin" which is selt-ex-
planator reads as follows:
"What would the up date base bsll
fan think of a game that would end
with a score of 1862 to II or ia to 2f-
Yes, and only nins innings at that!
And yet these were games played in
the "old days" when the Athletics
were doing so much tn make base ball
popular.
or the Athletics of 1865 only three
of the then active players are still liv-
ing, two of them, AL Reach and Dick
Mcbride in this city; O. Luengen, in
New York.
According to Messrs Reach and Nc
Bride, long drawn out games were of
common occurrence.
Mcbride spoke of one occasion in
'6S when the Athletics played morn
ing and afternoon stunt in Danville,
Pa. The Athletics defeated a team
from Williamsport in the morning, 10
to 10, and then trounced the Danville
team in the afternoon. 1862, to II. Just
a matter of 272 runs in one day"
What adds especial interest to the
above clipping is the fact the Danville
nine playing in the famous game sllud-
ed to were leading and well known
men OF our town, and that, with three
exceptions. all are Living TO-DAY
The positions we're filed as follows
George W. Miles, C. Clarence Biddle
cf Robert Adams, p. Lewis Byerly,
II. Captain G. W. Forester, cf @.
W. Fckmau, rf I; Col @. W Frick,
1b. r. d. Magill, 2b. Joseph CLARK,
ss. James d. Msgill substitute for
Col. Frick.
The deceased members OF the old
time niue are: Col @. W. Eckmau.
Clarence Biddle and Joseph CLARK.
Several Of the survivors were inter.
viewed yesterday; each easily fell in.
to a reminiscent mood and discoursed
at length OH the features of the old
time game in which they have been
made to appear at such q disadvant-
age. They all agreed that the clipping
in question is wholly misleading and
that, although the score at the end of
the game with Dsnville was 1862 to 10,
yet the Athletics under the circumst.
ances, might just as easily have had
500 to their credit.
little light will he thrown nn the
affair when it is explained that tie
Dsnville team had not only never
played game OF base bail before, but
it had also never seeu game.
The Danville team had been organ
lied under the name of Alerts'. The
members were desirous of becoming
proficient in base ball They had only
book of rules to govern them and in
order that they might see the real
thing they had planned a three days
tournament and invited the Athletics
Of Philadelphia along with a team
from Williamsport and another from
Wilkes Barre.
The tournament was held on the old
base ball ground below West Market
street. 1t did not occur to the old.
time fans that they might help them
selves out financially by charging an
admission fee. The gates were open
if there we're any gates-and every
thing was free. That they mad the
crowds goes without saying.
The survivors OF the old game yes.
terday stated that they did not doubt
that the skillful Athletics had lot o.
fun with the Danville nine during the
game. 1t is recalled that Al Reach.
alluded to in the clipping as having a
part in the game, at one point threw
aside his bat and picking up shove
for a while used it rs bat.
AT that day it was the custom fol
the winning team to take the ball.
The Athletics accordingly took Dan
ville's ball along to Philadelphia.
They had the ball gil1ed and iettered
showing the big score and the game al
which it was won. The ball has ever
since been treasured as a souvenir anG
may be seen at the clubs headquart
ers.
The Alerts Of Danville profited by
their training and In time became one
of the strongest teams in this section.