MATCH RECAP: May 22, 2004 - vs. Decatur Ground Squirrels
Mains Split Double-Header with the Ground Squirrels!
- submitted in the style of A.J. Padfield, manager of the original Mains, 1893.
Trenton’s Mains first effort at 1860’s style base ball has to be considered a success. The local team traveled to Decatur to play the Rock Springs Ground Squirrels in their inaugural match. Their first ever game was hard fought with the local boys surrendering the winning tally to the Ground Squirrels in their last at bat for a 3-2 final in the loss. All of the Mains displayed great skill in the field, playing a fearless brand of ball.
The Trenton boys showed little regard for their personal well being in lieu of stopping the Ground Squirrels batted balls. The long-winded manager of the Ground Squirrels Lee Slider noted in his traditional post game speech to the gathered cranks that, “In my eleven years of participating in vintage games, the Mains from the fair city of Trenton have displayed more skill and gentlemanly manners than I have ever witnessed before, and I dare say, they are surely the finest first year team to have taken the field anywhere, at anytime.” The Mains were then treated to three rousing cheers of “HIP HIP HUZZAH!” from the Ground Squirrels in a fine show of sportsmanship and good will on their part.
Following a brief rest period, the teams prepared for the second game of the match. The Mains won the right to bat first by choosing “smooth” on the flat stone used to determine the right to choose “in or out” by a flip. The Honorable Judge “Honest Harold” Lonsdale, serving as umpire, announced to the crowd the Ground Squirrels would take the field and ordered the first Main’s striker to the line.
The Trenton nine came out swinging and before the dust had cleared six Main’s had rung the tally bell in the first at bat of the new game. Twice more in the second and a single ace in the fifth had the Mains up on the Ground Squirrels 9 to naught.
But the boys from Decatur were full of pride and wanted to show it. They fought back with four aces of their own and made the final score one of 9 to 4.
As the final hand was dead and victory was secured the gentlemen of Trenton showed their respect for their worthy opponents by keeping the celebration limited to a few handshakes and well deserved pats on the backs for their teammates.
The teams then lined up and after a couple of short speeches from each team the participants exchanged handshakes and well wishes. As the late afternoon sun began to set the teams shared stories and advice as they partook of a meal prepared by the home standing Ground Squirrels.
All in all it was a glorious day of base ball in style of the 1860’s. All who attended and all who participated had fun. Providing the aches, strains and other minor maladies are healed; the Mains will again be in action on June 19th in Lafayette Park, St. Louis against the Perfectos.