BASEBALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 December 1938, Page 3

BASEBALL

FIRST GAMES IN WAIRARAPA. PLAYED BY WELLINGTON TEAMS. Baseball teams were seen in action, for the first time in the Wairarapa, at the Solway Showgrounds on Saturday. Four leading Wellington teams arrived early in the afternoon to play two matches in the fifth round of the international league, the senior section of the Wellington Association’s competitions. Accompanying the teams were Messrs G. H. Bassant, president of the Wellington Baseball Association, W. H. Wilson, J. Lothian and A. R. Redding, members of the executive, Mr Wilson was particularly interested in the pioneering visit to Masterton as he is the real father of baseball in New Zealand, having founded the game in Wellington in August of last year. The first game was between Ford and Hutt Tigers. Ford, in light blue and gold uniforms made a striking picture, as they took the field. Hutt were in white and red uniforms, and batted first.

From the outset, Ford showed their superiority both in batting and .in fielding. Led by an experienced Canadian player, Ben Wilson, they outclassed Hutt throughout. The scores were: Ist innings, Hutt 2, Ford 4; 2nd innings, Hutt 2, Ford 9; 3rd innings Hutt 3, Ford 18; 4th innings,’ Hutt 3, Ford 20; sth innings, Hutt 3, Ford 21; 6th innings, Hutt 3, Ford 22; 7th innings, Hutt 3, Ford did not bat. Total, Hutt 3, Ford 22. The second game between Jenkin’s Gymn and Webbs’ Gymn was much more even and much more exciting. The barracking of both players and spectators, too, livened up considerably and those who had not seen baseball before got a good idea of how colourful the game can be. The outstanding player was probably F. Barret, first baseman' for v/ebb’s, whose fielding was superb. Jenkin’s was an excellent all round team and kept just ahead in every innings. The scores were: Ist innings, Jenkins 2, Webb’s 0; 2nd innings, Jenkins 7, Webb’s 0; 3rd innings, Jenkins 8, Webb’s 2; 4th innings, Jenkins 10, Webb’s 4; sth innings, Jenkins 10, Webb’s 7; 6th innings Jenkins 11, Webb’s 7; 7tb innings, Jenkins 12, Webb’s 7. Total: Jenkins 12, Webb’s 7. During the interval Mr G. H. Bassan and Mr Alf Jenkins spoke by loudspeaker to the crowd, thanking the A. and P. Association and Masterton people for the courtesy extended to the visitors. They hoped to hear soon of baseball teams playing regular matches in the Wairarapa. Mr W. H. Wilson, through an efficient loud speaker system, gave a running commentary on the play, describing exactly what was occuring on the field. Mr Vanston and Mr Smith were umpires for both games.