Welkin Base Ball Club of Port Huron
host the Woodstock Actives
June 8, 2008
It was a steamy afternoon in Lincoln Park upon the arrival of the Woodstock Actives. The hosting Welkins welcomed their able adversaries to the park after their journey from their eastward homes in the great land of Canada. Despite the sweltering heat, the day was decided to be fine and the agreed match game of Base Ball would be underway in due time.
The watchful and fair umpire, Mr. Bennis, tossed the coin aloft; the Active declared heads, but alas, the coin proved to have fallen tails-side up. James “Chops” Fisher, the captain of the Welkin club, chose to strike first. Hoping that the newly produced ball would fly far into the heavens, while the Welkins tallied some early aces.
Four strikers approached home base in the first inning. With a mighty crack, Art “Steak” Salisbury, delivered the first strike of the game, followed by Robert “Plumb-Bob” Arnold striking second. Mr. Salisbury was declared dead at second. Long hitting, Jimmy “The Kid” Buckley sent the orb flying far and reaching first sack. Next was James “Chops” Fisher, who delivered a powerful strike. All hands were regretfully called dead at second sack.
The Active approached home base, Steve “Pipes” Derrick sent the orb flying to center field, where it was plucked from the air by James “The Bolt” Phillips. The two following strikers successfully reached first and second sacks, things looked tough for the Welkins. But, with top rail catches by James “The Bolt” Phillips in center field, and the adept playing of Levi “Patches” Banker on first sack, the actives took to the field without tallying a single ace.
It was not until the third inning that the tally bell had been rung. After again vanquishing the Welkin striking attempt, Randy “Digger” Ferguson tallied the first ace of the match. Though the first rate “Bolt,” and “Patches” again foiled their efforts to score again
Let it be told that in during inning five, Mark “Goose” Henderson valiantly rang the tally bell. Though he looked as though he had been through the mill, he succeeded in tallying the Welkin’s first ace of the match.
The seventh inning saw the ringing of the bell for the Welkin club once again. After legging it from third sack, his path crossed home, and the Welkins brought their tally one ace closer to the five of the Actives. Alas, upon taking the striking side, the Actives tallied an impressive eight aces.
It was in the inning ninth, that a tuckered out Active club respectful declined their last at-bat due to the particularly warm afternoon. After no offense was raised by the Welkin club, the score was decided thirteen aces to two in favor of the Active club. The ball was presented to the winners, congratulations were exchanged, along with generous gifts from the Actives. The clubs put aside their competitive pursuits and shared a meal together.