MATCH RECAP: August 29, 2004 - vs. St. Louis Unions
Mains Split Matches With Unions

Trenton’s vintage base ball team was back in action Sunday. The Mains split a pair of matches with the St. Louis Unions losing the first game 3-2 and then winning the second 2-0.
Both games were well played affairs, very competitive, as the low scores would indicate. The Mains were honored to see that the games were witnessed by a number of Trenton fans who had traveled to see the match. The match was played on a revised field behind St. Ferdinand’s Shrine in Florissant, Missouri. The St. Ferdinand parish was established in 1789 and the current church building was built in 1821. The Mains will return to this vintage site for a tournament on October 10th as part of the Old Town Florissant Festival.
The Unions are a much-improved team since the Mains played them earlier in the year, when the Mains pounded the Unions 17-9.
In the first game, the Mains jumped out to a 2 to naught lead in the first inning, but as it turned out those two early tallies would be the only times the Mains would ring the tally bell in the first game. The Unions rallied back to tie the game and then took a 3-2 lead in the sixth and they held off the Mains to secure the win.
This game saw the first action by two of the newest Mains, Chip “Buffalo” Christmann and Gary “Tall Grass” Crouch. Both the new players made their presence known with fine play in the field and by contributing while striking from the line. “Buffalo” Christmann played much of the afternoon at a distinct disadvantage in regard to the footwear he chose for the day, so he is especially commended for his efforts.
In the second game of the day, the Mains again struck early and took a 2-0 lead. But in this game, the Mains defense stiffened it’s collective back and allowed nary a Union soldier to cross the plate. With the Unions threatening in the last at bat, the Mains got the final hand dead which left the Unions with two runners on base willing to score but unable.
Fine team defense by the Mains was highlighted by “Corn Dog” Zeisset’s diving stab of a foul tick and “Ace” Weber’s numerous fine plays off grounders. The shutout win in the second game of the match was the first time the Mains have held an opponent scoreless, a rarity in what are usually high scoring vintage games.
Due to a medical emergency, the day's scheduled umpire Tony 'Danger' Pellingrino was called away. The Mains' Miles “Moonlight” Batemann filled in admirably in his stead. “Moonlight," who had no previous umpiring experience (and has sworn he will have no more in the future), has played every game with the Mains. He also does double duty by playing with the Unions at times as well - which spawned his nickname. His willingness to umpire and fair-handed interpretation of the rules was met with “Huzzahs” from both teams.
The Mains next action will be Saturday, September 11th at 1:00 as part of the activities at the Homestead Power Show. The show will be held on the grounds of the Latzer Homestead - south of Highland, IL.
The site for this game will be especially 'vintage' as it will be played in a field that is currently covered with clover waiting to be baled during the Power Show. This should provide an especially authentic setting for the crank and a special challenge to the ballist. Join us, won't you?