MATCH RECAP: October 10, 2004 - Old Town Florissant Base Ball Classic; vs. St. Louis Perfectos & St. Louis Unions
Unions' & Perfectos' Stellar Play Pushes Trenton Nine To The Limit
The Trenton Mains Vintage Base Ball Team won the 'Old Town Base Ball Classic' played in Florissant, Missouri and organized by Mains' friends, the St. Louis Unions.
The Mains won the first annual event by defeating two St. Louis teams. The Trenton nine edged out the Perfectos 9 to 8 in the first game and then claimed the championship by defeating the Unions 12-11 in extra innings. The tournament was played as part of the city of Florissant's Fall Festival on October 10th.
This was the first 'championship style event' the Mains have participated in. Typically, the emphasis in vintage matches is more on playing the 1860's style game accurately. The Mains have focused their efforts this first season to recreate the game in a historically-correct manner. The tournament style event gave the teams involved an opportunity to feature their competitive sides in that there was a championship to be won. It was apparent that the level of play was more spirited, but the vintage game's core values of good sportsmanship and gentlemanly behavior were still very apparent. On several plays, the participants themselves were asked by the umpire to make the call of 'safe or 'dead.' On these occasions, the players, holding true to the important values of good sportsmanship, called it as it was, not as they wished it were.
The championship game was a very competitive game. The Union players came out swinging big bats and took and early lead. The Mains fought back and were fortunate to score two runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 11. The Mains scored in the eighth on a clean single to right by Matt 'The Kid' Black who drove in Mark 'Sloppy' Hilmes with the winning tally.
The Mains were presented with a plaque and will have team's name engraved onto a trophy, which will be permanently displayed in the historic Girardier House, not far from the ball field.
Also, as part of the tournament format, a skill competition was held. Each team chose two players to try their hand in three events. Prizes were awarded in base running for time, a long distance throw and an accuracy throw. Mains who displayed their talents in these events were 'Hambone' Kesner, 'Country' Hilmes, 'Curley' West, 'Peanut' Kohlbrecher,' Fargo' Welz and' Corn Dog' Zeisset.
Jeff 'Peanut' Kohlbrecher was Trenton's lone winner as he won the long throw contest. No measurements were taken or declared in the long toss. 'Peanut' won with a mighty toss that cleared the playing area, bounced past the oak tree and rolled through the gully. His heave beat out the second place competitor's throw by "more than the stride of a tall man." Egg-on-the-face honors went to Hambone Kesner. Although his throw was second only to Kohlbrecher's, the ball slipped out of his hand on the first throw and went no more than two yards. Fortunately, the umpire chose not to mark his Hambone's first throw!
Worth mentioning is the fine organization of the Old Town Base Ball Classic by Captain Brian 'Ricochet' Robison and the rest of the Unions. Every detail was covered, the field was in fine shape and the Union soldiers made both ballists and cranks feel welcome. Indeed the Unions are a fine group of gentleman and did a wonderful job with this first annual event. The Mains hope to play in this Classic for many years to come. Huzzah, gentlemen!

The Mains next and likely final event for 2004 will be a match in Aviston on October 24th. Aviston is holding a find-raising event that day to help fund the effort to update the city ball fields. The opponent for the Mains will be local Aviston players who will be giving the 1860's game a try for the first time. Please join us in our efforts to support this worthy cause.