Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1911-03-28

Il
Two heroic figures have doomed large
on the horizon Of athletic activities in
the years that both have been MEM
bers of the band that wound up a glo-
fious career last October with a worlds
championship in the custody OF Connie
Mack Both of these noble brethren
are as capable pitchers IS the Amerf-
can league bOastS-CharleS Albert
Bender and Edward Gettysburg Plank.
Around both clusters one OF the finest
stories Of the discovery of a player by
that astute Columbus of baseball, C0r-
nelius MoGillicuddy.
Dickinson and Gettysburg Rivals.
Years ago, the number matters not,
two colleges were deadly rivals. They
were Dickinson and Gettysburg. Their
rivalry was in the nature of that feel
ing between Yale and Harvard. Each
strove to Guido the other in every
branch of athletic endeavor. When
Dickinson met the enemy and triumph
ed the student body went crazy with
"dementia coIegiana.' When Gettys.
burg vanquished Dickinson thu under
graduates of the former institution
were in a joyous frenzy.
The Fellow With the crossfire.
Now Gettysburg a number of years
ago had a tail, rangy, tough fbred
southpaw pitching who was moving
down his opponents one by one. He
J.
peculiar crossfire that worked havoc
with opposing batsmen. That lad sign
ed his name Eddie Plank.
Dickinson. worried over the stellar
work of the gallant Plank, was in the
throes of despair as the time for the
preached. The mighty southpaw seem
ed destined to infiiet the wound Of de-
feat
Gettysburg was jubilant and meta
phorically licked her chops in antici-
patton Of chewing her rival into tiny
Gettysburg felt that Eddie was I'M
beatab1e.
Chief Bender Came to Dickinson.
Prior to this time there was slen-.
der sapling at Carlisle whose ancestors
were noted chiefs of the Chippewa
tribe. This bronzed giant, who over
topped most Of his fellow students,
was the mighty warrior. His name was
Charles Albert Bender.
However, there came a time when
there was ruction between the tan
ned giant and the rulers of the scho-
lastic institution. Chief Bender in high
dudg con, left the institution and wend-
ed his way to Dickinson.
Gettysburg knew nothing Of the adj
vent of Bender into the realm of her
rival and sister college. Dickinson,
foxiness ruling paramount, kept the
Indian under cover and reveled in glee
at the thought Of the surprise party
which was to be handed to the enemy.
At last the gala day arrived. Gettys-
ness ceased in the somnolent village
Connie Comes TO See Plank.
Included in that gathering was tail
and thin man with an austere face,
quiet garb like cleric and the wis
dom of an owl. His name in the ga
lazy of basebalfs famous men is en-
shrined forever. He was Connie Mack.
Stories of the wonderful prowess OF
the awkward left handler of Gettys4
burg had reached the ears of the as
tute Cornelius and he was there to
watch Plank and see him in action.
His practiced eye was to be fixed on
the southpaw; his vision was to be
chained to the tall boy with the daz-
cling, breaks.
Never into his mind came the
thought that while watching one pitch
er he was to see the work of another
shine in comparison with that of even
the star of Gettysburg. But such
came out to warm up in preliminary
practice.
Bender Saved Dickinson.
From outside the gate came trooping
in the tail, bronzed Eiant-Bender. To
many he was a. stranger; to others he
was but a. name, but to Dickinson he
was the man Of the hour.
That game has been imTnortalfzed in
the history OF both colleges. There I'M
der the burning rays of a summer sun
these two heroic figures struggled, as
only men of their cunning, ability and
mental strength can battle.
Fifteen Inning Battle.
For Is innings these giants of the
mound strove to win and for 15 innings
fortune tipped her scales toward Meth
err one nor the other, the tickle Jade
for once maintaining a strict neutrali-
ty toward great pitchers
With the colleges both scoreless in
that period darkness dropped her man
tie to cover the battlefield in q, sable
garment and the heroes retired from
the field unscathed but unsuccessful,
or doubly successful. according as one
views the matter
Indian Pitches One-Hit Game.
The history of that game shows that
twice Plank's battling curves failed in
their purpose, and these two hits were
the only ones made off the grand
southpaw. But ono Of Benders curves
failed to foil the opposition and this
one-hit game for IL innings comes
near being a college record.
Manager Mack never stopped an in
slant signing both men.