Clipping:The Atlantics' side of the third game with the Excelsiors
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| Date | Tuesday, August 28, 1860 |
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| Text | [from a letter to the editor by “Home Run”] The field was clear, the rope was perfect around its entire extent, and every player could exhibit as perfect play as he was capable of. Why should such experienced and able players as the Excelsiors heed or pay any attention to the noisy demonstrations of the rabble? Porter's Spirit of the Times August 28, 1860 To the Editors of the Sunday Mercury: In consequence of there being so much comment reflecting on us in regard to our late match with the Excelsior Club, and the Press so unanimous in adjudging all the odium consequent upon the abrupt termination of the game on the Atlantic Club and their friends, we think that, in simple justice to ourselves and them, we are bound to make a frank records of the affair, in the confident hope and anticipation that a discerning public will, now that the excitement has in a measure subsided, give our side of the story a fair and just hearing. In the first place, we used every possible effort to have “a clear field and no favor,” and in this, as in the last game, we feel happy to say, that through the exertion of Mr. Folk, aided by his efficient body of police, we succeeded beyond the possibility of a doubt. What more can any club do? Can we restrain a burst of applause or indignation emanating from an assemblage of more than 15,000 excited spectators, whose feelings are enlisted as the game proceeds, by the efforts of this or that player or players? He who has witnessed the natural excitement which is [illegible] miscellaneous assemblage, whether called together by a regatta, an important test of speed on the turf, or a match between noted base ball organizations, know [sic] full well that it is an utter impossibility to prevent a crowd from expressing their sentiments in a manner and audibly as they please. Mr. Thorn, the umpire on this occasion, was calm, and expressed himself not at all annoyed by the exclamations of the spectators. The members of the Atlantic nine remarked to him at the most exciting period of the game, that they would sustain him in all his decisions, and urged the continuance of the play. Then let us ask what caused its abrupt termination? Nothing, in our opinion, judging from the language made use of, but the ungovernable temper of a friend of ours on the other side, and who seems to be getting exceeding nervous of late; and, if the nine is to be called off the grounds on all occasions where the pressure is rather high, we think ball-playing will soon lose its most essential feature; this is, first, the presence of the ladies–which, of course, ought to be best guarantee for good behavior of the players, and the crowd in general. We thinks such conduct by first-class clubs, as a precedent, will lead to similar occasions by inferior clubs, and finally terminate in the ruin of the game as a national pastime; and how the press can uphold a club, or individual, in such an instance, and say they have the interest of the game at heart, is something the Atlantics cannot understand, as, after listening quietly to all that has been said, they still claim to know something of the game of base ball, and believe that such conduct cannot, and has not, been anything but detrimental to the game. We wish the public to understand that we do not win our battles in the newspapers, but on the green turf, and we also are firm in the faith that the club is yet to be organized which can deprive us of our well-earned championship. On the field, it has always been our pride and pleasure to preserve good order, and to render every accommodation and courtesy in our power to our friends of the press, the ladies, and to all evincing any interest in the noble old sport of base ball. In conclusion, we must say that no one was more surprised or disappointed at the termination of the game than ourselves. We were confident of victory, and we wish the public to remember that the “Old Atlantics” are used to fighting these exciting battles; and we would recommend those aspiring to the championship not to bee too hasty in leaving the field, as it is a “poor road to travel” and does not lead to that enviable and coveted position. F. K. Boughton Secretary Atlantic Base Ball Club Brooklyn, Aug. 31, 1860 New York Sunday Mercury September 2, 1860 |
| Source | Porters Spirit of the Times |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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