American Base Ball.

Samoa Times and South Sea Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 20, 2 March 1889, Page 2

American Base Ball.

- Ofi Friday, 22nd trit., wo witnessed for the first time the game of American Baso Ball, which was played on the old Cricket Ground, Matautu. All the players wow belonging to thu U. S. S. Nipsic. They wero eighteen in number, formed into sides of nino each ; one party dressed in white with blue stockings, ar.d tho other in a dark suit and red stockings. Both uniforms looked exceeding pretty. Tho weather during tho game was as good as could be expected this hot season ; a cloudy sky assisted the players considerably in catching a good sight of the ball. Among tho visitors on the ground W9 noticed our throe consuls, tho captains and some of the c.Ulcers of the different men-of-war in the harbor, Mrs. Colonel do Costlogon and several ladies and gentlemen from Apia. The natives of both sexes were in great force and seemed to enjoy the game heartily. A circle was formed about J tho spneo required for a cricket match. On the circlo nt oast end stood tho striker ; opposite him on the west line a cushion was placed as were also a cushion placed on the north and south lino at equal distances. The batsman stood at his place, with the umpire immediately behind him. By the by this appointment was no sinecure, but from our imperfect knowledge of the game we think the gentleman appointed was the right man in the right place. When the pitcher, who stood about 50 foot in tho ring, delivered his ball to the batsman the stentorian voice of the umpire could be distinctly heard all over the ground, " two ball*, too wide, and a little too high," or "three balls, too close," or "two strikes," or " three strikes," " You're but." SarCnt Orupp bad a busy time of it, he was equal to the occasion, and his decisions were never questioned. , The party who took the innings sent ' one of their men to be striker; the i other party bowling and defending i the cushions. Seven balls were deli- i vered to each striker, and if intheopin- i ion of the umpire three of those balls I were playable, and the striker not sue- i oseding in hitting the ball he was de- i olaredout, but if he struck the ball i anywhere across the ring, and suoceed- 1 ed in reaching to the first base before i the ball was sent there and caught by y the party defending the base he secured one- base; then another of his side i took the club, when the first striker t took all sorts of sdrantagei to reach c another cushion. After the ball was f a«»in delivered sometimes he would i go a little too far from this base so as ( * afcorten the distance, but the bowler wtso was generally on the watch all i

jflgpl would send the bstl to the deMSaerof the cushion instead of the batsman, and. before our industrious friend could get back he was declared out, with a good laugh at bis expense. We should have,, mentioned that at one aide of the umpire and in a danproximity to the striker stood one of the opposing party, with thick gloves on to catch the ball as it passed the. bat. To the unitiated it would appear as if the great club was wielded within an inch of his nose. We thought his escape marvellous. The game was between the veteran players of the Nipsio and a party of the apprentices. The veterans of course won. It Was plainly seen those old stagers knew all the manoeuvres of the game, and never lust any points, but they had better look out; those youngsters are a smart looking lot of fellows, and with a little practice will reduce the number of points they were.beaten by every game. However, we dare say no persons will he better ploased at this than the veterans themslves. This is the second time the men from the Nipsio have given us a treat ashore, for which we thank them, and also the captain for allowing them lonve. We hear there is a match likely to come off on Saturday between a company from the Vandalia and Nipsic. They will bo very welcome. Mr. G. R. Plumer acted as scorer, to whom we are indebted for the following scores:— VETEEASB. Innings 1 2 3456789 Gallagher ..3b.. 100000010 Lane .. .. 1b..101000610 AfoKiuTon •• - b .. 0 0 1 0 C 0 0 0 0 Miller -• P.. 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 I Brooks .. '■ ..001010010 London .. 1f..010010011 Jleinlor ..cf.. 00001001 I Dixon ..»».. 0000000 10 McCarthy ..rf.. 010100100 total - - - - 21 APPRENTICES. Innings ....12 3 450789 Hayno .. 3b..1000 10001 Callan .. rf .. 0 0 0 O 0 0 0 0 0 F. S. Taylor .2 b..0000000 0 0 Kruegor .. 1 c ..000000000 i Casou .. 1b..000000000 R. H. Taylor If.. 0 0 0 OJO 0 0 0 0 O'Mara .. p..00000100 0 Lutonaehre.. 35.. 000000000 Simon .. of.. 0, 00010000 Total - - '- - 6