An 1869 Silver Ball Match

The silver ball match between the [Lone Star and Aetna] clubs was terminated by the game played on the morning of the 11th, at the B.B. Park in favor of the Lone Star, in a score which is quite satisfactory to themselves, but "stunning" to the Aetnas, who were generally considered the stronger club.  The latter club made a mistake, we think, which has been made before by others, too, than themselves, of underrating their opponents and not awaking from their delusion till too late.  The Lone Star boys are quick and wide-awake, and no club has the right to hold them cheaply.

-Missouri Republican, July 13, 1869

The Interest Manifested

The second game between the Union and Empire Clubs has been definitely appointed for Saturday the 5th, at St. Louis Base Ball Park.  The interest manifested in the result of this match will call forth the best talent of both clubs, and, no doubt, a numerous attendance of spectators.

Matches To Come Off.

13th June - Lone Star vs. Atlantic; at Veto grounds.

8th July - Olympic, of Washington, D.C., vs. Union, of St. Louis; at Base Ball Park.

We also understand that the first nine of the Empire Cub have been challenged for a game by the old players of this club, and that the match will take place shortly.

-Missouri Republican, June 4, 1869

The 1869 Missouri State Base Ball Association

The adjourned meeting of the State Base Ball Convention occured last evening, in the hall of the Empire Club, on Third street, Capt. C. Overbeck, temporary Chairman.

On call of the Convention it was found that the following Clubs were represented:

Union, Empire, Lone Star, Resolute, Magnolia, Rowena, St. Louis, Iron State, Olympic, Eckford, Missouri, Baltic, Buck Eye, Atlantic, Haymakers, Turner.

The election of permanent officers resulted in choice of Asa W. Smith, of the Unions, President; James Foster, of St. Louis, 1st Vice President; Joseph Ketterer, of Lone Star, 2d Vice President; F.T. Caroll, of Resolute, 3d Vice President; Thos. McCorkle, of Union, Recording Secretary; G.D. Barklege, of Iron State, Corresponding Secretary; C. Overbeck, of Lone Star, Treasurer.

After which, a committee of five were appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws, who were instructed to report at the adjourned meeting on the 18th inst.

-Missouri Republican, June 11, 1869


To the best of my knowledge, the Missouri State Base Ball Association was founded in 1868 so this would have been the second election of officers.  While Asa Smith was reelected president of the association in 1869, it appears that all of the other officers were new. 

Box Scores!

At an early hour yesterday morning a base ball match, between the Excelsior and Lone Star Clubs, came off on the vacant grounds near of Twentieth and Biddle streets.  The contest terminated in favor of the Excelsior Club...The Lone Star Club is composed of boys of from sixteen to eighteen years, and the Excelsior Club of boys of much larger growth.

-Missouri Republican, August 17, 1860


I posted this information not that long ago but I'm reposting it because I was finally able to grab the box score.  Even though I have access to a lot of newspaper databases, sometimes it's difficult to capture the box score image.  But recently I found a nice little browser app that basically lets me capture any part of any image that shows up in the browser.  So grabbing the box scores just became much, much easier.   

A Charming Contest

One of those charming contests for athletic superiority came off yesterday afternoon, upon the grounds of the "Empire," between the Union and Lone Star clubs.  The day was exceedingly fine, and the play drew a large number of spectators, who appeared to enjoy the sport almost as much as those directly engaged in it.  The match was contested with much spirit, increasing to the close, when victory perched on the banner of the Union...

-St. Louis Daily Bulletin, October 9, 1860

The Union was up 24-19 going into the ninth when the Lone Stars scored four runs.  It must have been a rather exciting half inning.  In the bottom of the ninth, the Union scored 17 runs to make the final score 41-23.  

Playing for the Union was J. Freeman, c; J. Greenleaf, p; E. Finny, 1b; W. Freeman, 2b; R. Niggerman, 3b; A. Smith, ss; A. Hamelton, lf; R. Reinck, cf; and F. Billon, rf.  Playing for the Lone Stars was R. Duncan, c; J.M. Jacobs, p (who scored no runs, made seven outs, and gave up 41); W. Dukes, 1b; Jas. Burk, 2b; Jas. McGin, 3b; W. Duncan, ss; J. Phillip, lf; T.C. Smith, cf; and A.G. Duke, rf.   

Some Friendly Matches

A friendly match was played on Saturday west of the Fair Grounds, between the Tiger and the Lone Star Clubs, resulting in the success of the latter Club.

-St. Louis Daily Bulletin, October, 1, 1860

A friendly match will be played, this afternoon, on the Empire grounds, between the "Union" and "Lone Star" clubs.

To-morrow afternoon a match will be played between the "Empire" and "Commercial" clubs.

-St. Louis Daily Bulletin, October 6, 1860

The Tiger Club was a new one to me.  Had never heard of them.  But including the Tigers, we now know of nine antebellum baseball clubs in St. Louis.  

Boys Versus Men

At an early hour yesterday morning a number of people assembled on the vacant grounds near Twentieth and Biddle streets, to witness a match game of base ball, between the Excelsior and Lone Star Clubs-boys vs. men.  The contest terminated in favor of the men of the Excelsior Club.

-St. Louis Daily Bulletin, August 17, 1860

The score of the match was 49-16.  Playing for the Excelsiors was Hamilton, Noerr (or Noett), Hamilton, Hanck, Taylor (or Tayler), Hudson, Linneman, Hamilton, and Wolfan (and Wolfun).  Playing for the Lone Stars was Laferty, Duncan, Duncan, Smith, Plum, W. Dukes, N. Dukes, Jacobs, and Maginn.   Frederick Kern, of the Empire Club, was the umpire.   

A couple of interesting things here.  First, the Lone Star Club was unknown to me and therefore adds to our list of known antebellum St. Louis baseball clubs.  Second, I have no idea of whether "men vs. boys" refers to the difference in the skill level of the two clubs as reflected in the final score or whether if this was actually a match played between grown men and what was, essentially, a junior club.  Finally, we have another game played at the Laclede Grounds.  Good times.