Game Played on Historic Grounds

ELKTON DOWNS PHILADELPHIA AT HISTORIC GROUNDS

Elkton 14 Philadelphia 3

The Eclipse Base Ball Club played at its historic grounds formerly known as the Elkton Fair Grounds for the first time since 1891. The old Elkton Fair Grounds stretched from what is present day Railroad Avenue all the way up to Elkton Boulevard. One of the most popular horse racing tracks of the late 19th and early 20th century stood on one corner of the grounds, and a 5,000 seat base ball park sat in the other corner. The Elkton Fair Company ran the grounds and had a fair each year on the grounds that ran all Summer long. A long exposition hall and stables ran between the two sporting sites. In 1891, the railroad decided that the tracks needed to be in a straighter line, virtually cutting the grounds in two. Today, all that is left of open space is ground owned by the Immaculate Conception Church. On Sunday, August 15th the Eclipse returned to its old “stomping’ grounds if just for one day to entertain the Athletic BBC of Philadelphia. In 1867 such clubs as the Bachelor Club of Philadelphia and the Enterprise BBC of Baltimore played on the site. Today, its just a pastorial ground, where an occasional soccer game or t-ball game now takes place. The Amtrak trains run by every 15 minutes and Elkton is no longer a stop on the railroad, though the old train station is still there. Today, the Eclipse jumped out to an early 4 run lead after the first inning and then tacked on 2 more in the second before Philadelphia scored in the 3rd to make it 6-1. The experienced Elkton club was just too much for the Athletic on a rainy day full of downpours. The Eclipse eventually pulled away 11-1, before the Athletic added another and then the Eclipse finshed their scoring in the 7th. The Athletic managed one more in the 9th, but it was too little as the Eclipse won 14-3.

Brooklyn 10 Huntington 3

Atlantic enjoyed a rare all-Long Island weekend, playing at West Hills Day Camp in Huntington on Saturday at the invite of the Huntington Kiwanis Club, and playing on Sunday at Islip Grange in Sayville at the invite of the Islip Historical Society. In Saturday’s game, Shakespeare led all Atlantics with 4 hits, including 2 doubles, and scored 3 aces in the 10-3 victory. Wildhorse (triple), Flash (double), Butcher (double), Dreambucket, and Tuna each had 2 hits. Tree threw 8 whitewashes, allowing a 3-run 8th inning as the only blemish on his victory.

Brooklyn 26 NY Mutuals 5

Brooklyn 11 NY Mutuals 5

On Sunday, Atlantic was back home on the Grange to once again square off against the Mutuals. Atlantic took charge immediately, scoring 5 times in the first inning, and then a 9-run 4th inning sealed the Mutuals’ fate, as Atlantic went on to a 26-5 victory. Shakespeare and Toothpick, each with 4 hits including a double and 3 aces, led the way for Atlantic. Dreambucket (double, triple, 3 aces), Hawk (triple, 3 aces), Butcher (double, home run, 3 aces), and Hammy (double, ace) each had 3 hits. Tree held the Mutual bats at bay to gain the victory.

The second match was much closer, but Atlantic again persisted, to come away with an 11-5 victory. Dreambucket (3 aces) and Toothpick (double, ace) led Atlantic with 3 hits each. Flash (double, 4 aces) and Hawk contributed 2 hits apiece. Shakespeare entered the game in the 4th inning and shut down the Mutuals the rest of the way to pick up the victory.