The Mid Atlantic League was in full swing this weekend with many matches taking place along the eastern seaboard.  The highlight of the weekend may have taken place at the Chopper in Elkton on Sunday.  This year the Chopper (The Elkton Base Ball Club’s Invitational Tournament) was split in to two weeks with Chesapeake City hosting this week and Elkton next weekend.  On Sunday, in the first match, The Athletic of Philadelphia won its first match in its history downing the Excelsior BBC of Arundel 9-8.  Huzzah to the Athletic in this great acomplishment for them.  It did lose to the hosts though in the nightcap as the Cecil Club from Chesapeake City not only downed Philadelphia, but also Havre de Grace as well in convincing fashion in both matches.  In the other Chopper match, Havre de Grace defeated Arundel.

Also on Saturday, on a splendiferously sunny day, in front of about 600 appreciative fans, the Elizabeth Resolutes beat the Flemington Neshanock 17 – 11. Though both clubs were a little rusty from the long winter, the match was played with much ginger and graceful skill, and all were happy to be back on the ball field. It was very evident from the eloquent congratulatory speeches, spirited huzzahs and hearty handshakes these two friendly rivals shared after the match was complete.   Both are eagerly looking forward to their next matches on the first and second weekends in May. 

On Sunday,  the Chesapeake Nine of Baltimore hosted the Talbot Fair Plays in a set of matches at Jerusalem Mill in Gunpowder Falls State Park (MD).  The very sportsmanlike Fairplays “edged” the Chessies 28-3 and 25-5.  The standout performance for Chesapeake was turned in by Rebecca “Burner” Eder, who played two stellar matches behind the dish and threw out two would-be Talbot base thieves.  Also, three new ballists debuted for Chesapeake: Larry “Spin” Lichtenauer, Doug “Shooter” Jordan, and Gregory “Chicago” Jericho.

Finally, on Saturday, the Eclipse BBC of Elkton christianed its new grounds at the Terrapin Station Winery in front of 120 fans in Elkton against the Diamond State BBC of Delaware.  Both matches were very close but the Eclipse walked away with two victories.  In the first after a back and forth battle, the Eclipse pulled away in the 7th inning with 4 runs and added a 5th in the 8th to down the Diamond States 13-9.  In the second game, the first staters jumped out to a 6 ace lead in the first, but the home club came right back with 5 in their half and ended up winning 16-11.