HUZZAH THE SQUIRES:
The Diary of a Vintage "ballist"

By: Jerry Wasserman

2013

May 5 : The Spiegel Grove Squires were rained out of their first scheduled game April 28 with the Wyandot Ghost Riders. So our trip to Akron May 5 was the beginning of the season. Our first game pitted us against a team from Somerset, Pennsylvania, called The Frosty Sons of Thunder. We watched them play their first game against the Akron Black Stockings and they did not look to be that good. Looks can be deceiving however, as they were on the correct side of an 11-6 score against the Squires. Leading the Squires strikers with two safeties was Fly who had a double and single, Iron Horse, Ram, Dealer, Block, Rosie and Lefty . Squires ballists collecting one hit were Ball Park, Bat, Numbers, Stockings and Wings .

Our second game was against the tournament hosts the Akron Black Stockings. It was a defensive struggle with Akron scoring six runs in one inning while we held them scoreless in all other innings. The problem was Akron held us scoreless in all innings to win 6-0. Fly, Bat and Ram each had two hits for the Squires. Hammer, Ball Park, Iron Horse, Block, and Rosie had one hit each for the Squires.

May 18 : The Spiegel Grove Squires made the journey to Green Springs to play the Stemtown Stinkers during Civil War days in Green Springs. There are many trees in the outfield which contribute to the fact that there were many ground rule doubles. A couple of the trees were struck by line drives and a cloud of pollen erupted from them after being struck. The Squires were triumphant by a score of 33-15. Leading the Squires hitting parade was Iron Horse with 5 hits including a home run and two doubles. Collecting four hits was Fly (2 doubles), Ball Park (2 doubles), Hammer (1 double), Fingers (one double), Speedy (one triple, two doubles) and Dealer . Three safeties were made by Rosie (two doubles) Block, Ram, and Diamond (one double). Bird Bath and Wings had two hits each, with Wings getting a double. The Stinkers had several players lined up to play that were not able to because of having to work at Whirlpool. They still are learning the game but have more games scheduled for this year and we will no doubt play them again this season.