Clipping:The failed Excelsior-Atlantic match
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| Date | Friday, August 24, 1860 |
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| Text | [Excelsior vs. Atlantic, Putnam grounds, 8/23/1860] Another vast assemblage of people collected yesterday on the grounds of the Putnam Club, between Gates and Lafayette avenues; the occasion being the third contest of the home and home series between these clubs, the first of which was won by the Excelsiors and the second by the Atlantics. There were fewer ladies present yesterday than on either of the previous occasions, some fear of the result that accrued being influential in keeping numbers away, and others again that did come were unable to procure seats. The police were out in great force, there being over a hundred present, and they were not too9 many, considering the character of a large number of the spectators who were on the ground. We hope it will be the last great match that takes place, if such scenes as took place yesterday are to result from them. Such confusion and disorder, and such gross interference with a match by the spectators, we never witnessed. If the admirers of this manly pastime desire its future welfare, they should at once proceed to adopt stringent rules among the various clubs, against betting on the result of the matches played, for it was unquestionably a regard for their pockets alone that led the majority of those peculiarly interested in the affair, to act in the blackguard manner they did. The game had proceeded so far as the 5th inning, and matters seemed to be progressing favorably enough somewhat tardily, to a successful issue, when one of the decision of the Umpire in the case of a player of the Atlantics on the third base gave rise to such loudly expressed terms of dissent from the friends of the Atlantic Club, or rather those who had bet on them—a majority of whom would discredit any club they favored—that it was sometime before the game could be proceeded with. The decision in question was a just and impartial one, and would not have been noticed by the crowd but for the objectionable conduct of the player who was decided out, who instead of leaving the base at once chose to dispute the umpire's decision. However, this little affair finally settled, and the Excelsior's began their 6th innings, in which two separate missed at 1st baser by Price of the Atlantic's gave rise to another series of outside comments, and the expressions of dissent became so decided, and symptoms of bad feeling began to manifest itself to such a degree, that the Captain of the Excelsior nine, Mr. Leggett, than whom a fairer, more manly, or more gentlemanly player does not exist, ordered his men to pick up their bats and retire from the field, much to the regret of the Atlantic nine, but greatly to the delight of the large crowd who had “bet high on the Atlantic's,” for they evidently, by their rejoicings afterwards, regarded the affair as one advantageous to their pockets, the result of the contest being a drawn game, all bets being off. Brooklyn Eagle August 24, 1860 It will be remembered that the match between the Atlantics and Excelsiors was not completed, the Excelsiors throwing up the game, which the Atlantics claim has conceded them the victory. A few days since a parcel was left with the Secretary of the Atlantic Club, which on opening was found to contain a ball that had evidently been used, with the following inscriptions:-- “Atlantic vs. Excelsior, August 23, 1860; six innings played; Atlantic 6, Excelsior 8; game unfinished.” Whether this ball was sent by the Excelsiors or by some individual has not been ascertained; it is looked upon as a very discourteous act, but the Atlantics have chosen to recognize the ball as the one played with, and have placed it among their other trophies. If the Excelsiors did not sent the ball they will probably state so. The affair has created some feeling among base ball players. Brooklyn Eagle September 5, 1860 ...the Atlantics were entitled to the ball, but they generously refused it, and the game is considered a drawn one. It was hoped that the question of superiority might be decided, but the Excelsiors did not seem ti wish it, and the Atlantics never send nor never refuse a challenge. Brooklyn Eagle October 30, 1860 |
| Source | Brooklyn Eagle |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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