Tippecanoe Canal Jumpers vs. Rising Sun Belle River

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The match was the first base ball game of the season for the both the Canal Jumpers and Belle River. Neither team had had the honor of playing each other so this game marked another first as well. The Canal Jumpers had to make preparations for the match many days in advanced of this in order to find both proper and appropriate conveyance for the arduous 86 mile trip to Rising Sun, Indiana.

The game was played on April 25, 2010, however both teams had agreed to play using 1869 rules as was the familiar custom of the home team. The 1869 rules differed from those in 1860, not by great deviation as the umpire still called strikes on a batter, but rather that balls that are received from the bat are done so only by the hand and not on the bound. This presented a particular quandary for the Canal Jumpers as they had never before played by such modern rules. The game of base ball was very much alive on the pastoral fields of Rising Sun.

Prior to the 1860’s, the sporting world was dominated by such events as horse races, aquatic events (yacht races and rowing matches), canine events (dogs killing rats), cockfighting, pugilism (boxing matches, with and without gloves), and pedestrianism (walking contests, such as a one-against-one match or a single contestant against the clock).

The Canal Jumpers were accompanied by their umpire, Mr. Logan Rogers as well as their tally-keeper, Mr. Mike Woody. Both gentlemen made sure that all proceedings were legal and official and that the cranks in attendance were presented with adequate entertainment in due course.

The Canal Jumpers received the benefit of the coin toss and Coach Steve “Swifty” Pope elected his team to strike first. Belle River took the field. While both teams had adequately prepared for the manly and athletic match that was to transpire, neither team was able to prepare for the pelting rain and gale force winds of the afternoon. Both hurlers worked bravely to present the ball to the striker in proper fashion as is due to him, and strikers were also challenged by wet conditions both in their ability to run with speed and strike the ball with conviction.

Notable defensive plays by the Canal Jumpers were performed by Left Fieldsman Adam “Ricochet” Blake, and Rover, Rod “The Vacuum” Martino. There were no notable offensive plays for the Canal Jumpers.

The game of two hours ended with a final tally of 14 runs for Rising Sun, and 2 runs for Tippecanoe. The next match between these teams occurs in October on the home fields of Tippecanoe in the Great State of Ohio. Images of the match by daguerreotype or other artistic process were not available at the time of publication, however these may be added by the team photographer at any time in the future.

Respectfully submitted,

Mike “Big Papi” McDermott