Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 88, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 July 1898 — That “Bad Bold Ball Battle.’’ [ARTICLE]

That “Bad Bold Ball Battle.’’

Two hundred and fifty people ’ witnessed the much talked of game j of ball Thursday afternoon at Riverside Park, between the “Cun-' ning Clerks” and “Cornfed Col-j legites.” Where the clerks gotl their name of cunning we know not, but they were no match for the brawn and muscle of the college boys. The game was called at 12:30 sharp, by umpires Zimmerman and Hawkins. The collegites were the first at the bat, and disported themselves nobly being retired after two men had crossed the plate. The clerks failed to score in this inning, being unable to connect with the in and outs and ups and downs of Little Roy’s twisters, but after the collegites had a gain—hitting Hallie four runs —their skill became apparent, and they hit the ball when they wanted to, which was not very often, until the sixth inning, when they ran in ten scores, just because the college “guys” had shown them how easy it was done. The corn feeders, played about as bad as the counter jumpers, but, having more men who could bat, managed to pull out a few’ runs more than the clerks. At no time until the end was the result certain; the score standing at the end of the first inning 2to 1. At the end of the second, 6 to 2; the third, 8 to 6; and the fifth, 11 to 10. Each time the balance being in favor of those of mighty muscles. (?) The sixth was very equal, both sides splitting even with ten scores apiece more than before. The seventh the students had Peters curves studied out and hit him at will for seven runs. His elder brother, Bile Bean Bert, not giving the clerks any runs, when it was his time to twirl’ era. Making the score stand collegites 28; cleiks 20. By agreement the games was called at the end of seven innings—after two and a half hours play—and, from the vigorous language used by some of the clerks, Captain Great Scott of the clerks seemed not to have imparted to them the knowledge that the game would be shorter that the regular nine innings. The band boys have challenged the winners for a game. Hold on, boys, they want a month to rest up in, though they all say, “I am not a bit tired.” The players on both sides deserve mention, but for fear of treading on somebody’s corn-field we will refrain. The young ladies were interested spectators at the game and one of them was heard to remark after it was over, “I don’t care, Vernon played a good game anyway.” "Thais all right he did, too. ’’