-
The cranks' birdseye perspective from the hillside Photo courtesy Mike Morbeck
Games of Summer 2009
About the matchups
The Eagle Diamonds were privileged to compete against many talented clubs during the 2009 season. As always, the schedule featured friendly matches against traditional state rivals:
- The Milwaukee Cream Citys
- The Milwaukee Grays
- Greenbush Dead Citys
These Wisconsin teams graciously helped the Diamonds share the nineteenth century game with hillside crowds at Old World Wisconsin's historic Ward School House field. Away from its home field, the club enjoyed lively exhibitions with the La Crescent Apple Jacks and the Cincinnati Red Stockings.
Undefeated in 1869 and 2009
The Diamonds fell significantly short of duplicating the latter's incredibly successful 1869 inaugural season. That year the original Cincinnati team posted a 57-0 record while attracting an estimated 200,000 fans. However on a much smaller, but still very respectable scale, this year's undefeated Diamond team rewarded its growing and enthusiastic audiences with unlimited entertainment and engaging educational experiences.
2009 Game Recaps
The following match summaries provide a record of each 2009 contest. These game accounts are inspired by the original language and writing style employed by Wisconsin newspaper editors when reporting on these spirited local competitions. The Diamonds club looks forward to welcoming its fans and opponents to Old World Wisconsin again in 2010. See our 2010 schedule.
-
Season Finale
Jon Schmidt and two Grays' defenders await the pitch Photo courtesy Mike Morbeck
September 13, 2009
The Diamonds gathered their willows and headed to the shores of Lake Michigan for a late summer match with a city nine. Blue skies and high temperatures warmly greeted them, as did their friendly adversaries. The Grays won the coin flip and elected to take defensive positions on their pleasant tree-lined diamond.
In the first frame the blue caps struck well. Schmidt, the Perkins brothers, and Captain Frank combined to produce a pair of aces. Schmidt and R. Perkins made the complete cycle registering the two tallies. Two rounds later the top of the Diamonds’ striking order again increased the advantage when S. Perkins drove in Huntemann for a third run.
But soon the home team ballists would deny the visitors on this Sunday afternoon. After the Diamonds loaded the sacks in the sixth frame, the Grays retired the next three strikers with a defense stronger than a lake wind.
Meanwhile young Adler hurled his first match for the Diamonds. With the aid of a sturdy defense of his own, he held the Milwaukee team scoreless, as his clubmates perfectly executed fly catches, bound catches, and tip bounds throughout the contest. Goyette, the Diamond behind, added the final ace in the eighth round.
The match featured fine playing on both sides. The treatment of the Eagle nine by the Milwaukee boys was all that could be desired, and no word of complaint was possible.
Final Score: Eagle Diamonds 4 – Milwaukee Grays 0
MCP: 9/17/09
-
Eagle Meets Porkopolis
August 16, 2009, Cream City Festival
The Diamonds felt privileged to compete against the renowned Cincinnati Red Stockings in this match that found the country team meeting the talented and well-established city club.
Playing with a lively ball, the Eagle bunch built a 4-0 advantage after two rounds. The Diamond ballists struck well again in the middle frames, extending their margin to 9-0.
J. Rossbach whitewashed the Ohioans until the eighth frame when they rang the tally bell twice. With the local club making many handsomely caught fly catches and able swings, it secured the 9-2 win.
Schmidt, C. Allen, and S. Perkins each aced twice. Captain Frank contributed with four base knocks before pulling up lame with a burner and having to leave the contest. Kroll, M. Rossbach, Jones, and Adler also had a stellar day at the dish with three base knocks each.
The game was characterized by good behavior throughout, and the members of both nines conducted themselves in a gentlemanly manner. New friendships quickly blossomed between the red and blue ballists.
Final Score: Eagle Diamonds 9 – Cincinnati Red Stockings 2
MCP: 8/21/09
Aces of Diamonds Trump Jacks
Diamond cranks getting ready to watch an afternoon of base ball Photo courtesy Mike Morbeck
August 16, 2009, Cream City Festival
Ballists of the Eagle nine and the Minnesota club dodged rain drops during the early innings of this forenoon contest played on the shores of the Fox River.
The Diamonds paid visit to the tally bell twice in the second frame. Rookie Adler and J. Rossbach both crossed the dish. The latter striker chimed the bell again in the third, giving his clubmates a 3-0 lead.
Two innings later the Apple Jacks answered the bell chorus with two aces of their own. But the Apples were hard pressed to take the advantage, as the Diamonds' lead fermented in the seventh round. S. Perkins and Captain Frank added a pair of aces amidst a flurry of base knocks. In the end, the Eagle team persisted, with Kroll and J. Rossbach slicing apples left and right for four knocks each.
With few exceptions, the game passed off pleasantly with fine playing on both sides. After another match with the Milwaukee club, the Apple Jacks returned to their home on the Mississippi River among the bountiful orchards and the scenic bluffs.
Final Score: Eagle Diamonds 5 – La Crescent Apple Jacks 2
MCP: 8/21/09
-
Hurler John Rossbach concentrates on his delivery Photo courtesy Mike Morbeck
Hotter Than Blazes
August 15, 2009
In a rematch of the Diamonds' game in Greenbush a fortnight earlier, the Dead Citys visited the school house field, south of Eagle. Extremely warm conditions greeted the touring nine and the many cranks drawn to the friendly competition.
Sluggish timbers were the rule for both clubs through the fourth frame, with the Greenbush gang holding a 1-0 advantage. The Diamond ashes caught fire in the next two rounds, tallying five ballists. Five more aces were added in the ninth inning, giving the home nine a 10-2 victory.
It was a true team win for the Ds, as all of the blue caps, save one, counted a tally. In his debut, young Adler from Mukwonago struck well all afternoon. With four base knocks, the behind's lumber was hotter than the soaring temperature. On one trip to the dish, the lad lashed a triple by raising a flyer, which sent the right fielder headed west. Teammates M. Rossbach, C. Allen, Schmidt, and hurler J. Rossbach did their part by striking for three knocks.
As the afternoon melted away, the Diamonds wished their friends from Sheboygan County safe travels in their homeward journey through the Kettle Moraine region.
Final Score: Eagle Diamonds 10 – Greenbush Dead Citys 2
MCP: 8/18/09
Glory in Greenbush
A Diamond base tender holds the Dead City runner Photo from archive
July 26, 2009
The Eagle club traveled to the pastoral confines south of Greenbush, prepared to grapple the ash with the Dead Citys’ nine. Enthusiastic cranks witnessed a determined effort by the locals who jumped out to a three ace advantage in the first round.
But the Diamond strikers soon tapped the dish twice themselves before gaining the lead in the third frame. In that inning the visiting ballists added four tallies on several base knocks and a few home club muffs. With many well struck apples the Diamonds built the advantage in each of the later rounds.
C. Allen and Captain Frank connected for four base knocks with a combination of daisy cutters and flyers. The flailing timbers of Olson and Schmidt offered three each. Kroll, C. Allen, and M. Rossbach led the scorers as all tallied three times on the large country diamond. Diamond tosser, J. Rossbach held the cheerful adversaries scoreless after the opening round.
The utmost good feeling prevailed throughout the game and splendid playing was exhibited by both nines.
Final Score: Eagle Diamonds 15 – Greenbush Dead Citys 3
MCP: 7/29/09
-
Steven Frank up to bat — his striped socks denote him as team captain Photo courtesy Mike Morbeck
Blue Sky Above Grays
July 19, 2009
The Diamonds crossed willows with the Milwaukee Grays on this unseasonably cool and cloudy summer afternoon. Enjoying the comforts of their wool uniforms, the home nine welcomed 300-400 cranks to the field below the mustard colored schoolhouse.
The Gems' timbers quickly built a 6-0 advantage by the fifth frame before padding the lead with three more aces in the ninth. M. Rossbach, S. Perkins, Captain Frank, and rookie Teich led the ash barrage with three base knocks each.
J. Rossbach's well-placed tosses hurled the country ballists to a whitewash over the attractively clad city club. In the outer garden the barehanded scouts, Rohloff, Jones, and newcomer Faulds from De Pere, skillfully plucked apple after apple out of the sky to help preserve the victory.
The match was conducted in a gentlemanly manner throughout. The Milwaukee club was most appreciative of the opportunity to explore the Eagle area following the competition. The Diamonds welcome the opportunity to renew the friendly rivalry when they journey to the Lake Michigan shore in September.
Final Score: Eagle Diamonds 9 – Milwaukee Grays 0
MCP: 7/22/09
Eagles Soar over the Citys
Mitch Teich from Milwaukee Public Radio plays in the season opener with the Eagle Diamonds Photo courtesy Milwaukee Public Radio
June 13, 2009
On this day the Diamond nine renewed its respectful rivalry with the Milwaukee Cream City Club. The much anticipated match attracted several hundred cranks from the surrounding counties to the picturesque hillside location at Eagle.
The country ballists captured the lead in the second round as both Kroll and R. Perkins doubled into the outer garden tree line. Schmidt then struck for a baseknock giving the Diamonds their second ace.
Two rounds later Diamonds flashed over the dish for two more tallies as rookie Teich laced a two base stinger clearing the sacks of his new teammates. On this warm afternoon the ashes of Goyette, Schmidt, and R. Perkins led the home team strikers with two knocks each. The latter ballist also tallied twice.
Hurler B. Allen's skilled tosses whitewashed the Milwaukee strikers in the first four frames before the city club scored in the fifth. Behind sterling defense the whitewash continued in the final four frames.
Following the teams' traditional post game salute of respect for each other, the mites in the crowd were delighted to join the ballists on the field to swing the timbers and toss about the apples. A good time was had by all.
Final Score: Eagle Diamonds 5 – Milwaukee Cream Citys 1
MCP: 6/19/09
-
The Diamond hurler delivers the apple to the Cream City striker Photo courtesy Mike Morbeck
Diamonds Sparkle against Cream Citys
May 31, 2009
The Eagle Diamonds engaged the Milwaukee Cream City Club in the first match of the young season. Competing at the Big Bend in the Fox River, the teams played under sunny blue skies. How appropriate this exhibition of the original New York game was occurring in a settlement founded by Yankees.
The friendly gentlemen from the city rang the tally bell early, jumping to a lead in the first frame. Their advantage held until the Diamonds' ashes broke loose for three aces in the fourth inning, two of these produced by Goyette’s slashing timber. In the next few rounds the blue-capped strikers struck well, spraying the outer garden with daisy cutters and stingers. The tally bell pealed often for the Diamond nine on this warm afternoon. Hurler, J. Rossbach sailed through the contest as smoothly as the distant canoeists paddling down the meandering Fox.
Splendid outfield play by C. Allen, Jones, and Schmidt resulted in many impressive bare-handed fly-catches off the Cream City strikers’ willows. Team Captain Frank, C. Allen, and Goyette each contributed four base knocks for the Diamonds. M. Rossbach crossed the dish three times to lead the visitors in tallies.
It was a gem of a team victory for the boys from Eagle. The Cream City ballists were excellent hosts, always displaying the highest level of sportsmanship and good will towards the opposition and the cranks.
The teams are scheduled for a spirited rematch at Eagle on June 13 at 1:30 sharp.
Final Score: Eagle Diamonds 13 – Milwaukee Cream Citys 1
MCP: 6/5/09