Newton County GaArchives News.....FATS vs. LEANS ! July 25, 1889 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Phyllis Thompson http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002524 August 6, 2005, 9:33 pm The Georgia Enterprise, July 25, 1889 July 25, 1889 On Thursday afternoon an amusing game of baseball came off at the new park near the depot. It was a contest between the light and heavy weights- The Fats and Leans. The game had been arranged for Friday, and was changed with the hope that the sun would remain hid behind the clouds, but in this all were disappointed, as old Sol got on a full head of steam and became brighter and warmer as the hour for play drew near. At 4:20 the game was called by Mr. W. B. LEE, who kindly and at the risk of his life, consented to act as umpire, and although he had only fifty shells loaded with buckshot, two shot guns, a wagon standard and a pair of scythe blakes, the large crowd of ladies and gentlemen present were confident that he would save himself and get back home alive for he wore a light pair of shoes, had stationed himself amid the thickest part of the crowd, was thoroughly acquainted with the short-cut swamp line route to town and was never in better running order. OTTO STALLINGS, the scorer, had loaned FRANK HUTCHINS his belt to use as a garter, had his coat off and was ready for a foot race at a moments notice. As the Fats and Leans came forth rigged out in knee pants and comical costumes the audience greeted them with hearty applause full of fine good humor. “THOSE FATS” The Leans took the field, and the first representative of the Fat and handsome nine to bat was Sheriff H. B. ANDERSON, who hit the ball a rousing lick and lit out for the first base with his 206 pounds of human perfection. On his way to home plate he was blowing and puffing to such a rate that the noise of a passing freight train could hardly be heard. Bran was editor and chief of first base. Next came Tax Collector A. H. S. DAVIS, who saved the air and retired with the satisfaction of knowing that his reputation for activity and fast running had been fully established in a race with a stump tail water moccasin at Cedar Shoals during the freshet in June. When necessity demands STEPHENS can fairly fly on land or in the water. He had charge of center field. The third striker was ex-Mayor T. D. GUINN, who was playing until Mr. CHES GUINN could get off from the depot. As is his custom he was a little slow in getting ready, but as usual when once ready he is there to stay. It was easy work to hit the ball but it took hard labor to make the run. TOM played first until catcher “CHES” arrived in the third inning. P. F. HUTCHINS came forth as the fourth striker and in his eagerness to knock the cover off the ball, got out. He played short stop like a “profesh.” GEORGE DENNARD came to bat fifth, hit safe and galloped around to 2nd on hook and ladder time, which is 75 yards in 75 minutes, or thereabouts. GEORGE had full swing in right field. MARSHAL H. I. HORTON had eat near a peck of soft peaches and a few melons and was in fine running order. He tickled the ball and left on schedule time for 1st base. HENRY was in charge of left field. EDWARD FOWLER came seventh and while trying the fancy set by waiting for balls and fanning the air at ______ to get in two men he himself got out. ED pitched a fine ball, CHES GUINN holding him well. Thus ended the first inning for the Fats, having scored two runs. Space prevents giving every inning in full. J. J. (Rough) GRIFFIN came first to bat in second inning. He measured the distance between bases with his eye, took a chew of tobacco and then fixed himself to knock a home run. Three times he winked, smiled twice, and then struck out. He was boss at 3rd base, playing that position with the same grace and ease as at the bat. W. H. EVANS came next and placed himself in position to knock a 3rd bagger, and seemed astonished when he missed the ball three times. BILL had a lien on second base and played it exceedingly well. Another Fat man had the grease fried out of him and retired on three strikes, going out with a white-wash. “THEM LEANS” ROBERT L. MOBLEY, catcher for the Leans, was first to bat. His knees were shaking but his will was fast. He pawed the dirt with his left foot, and struck out. Next to bat was a long, lean, box-ankled, hungry looking specimen of humanity, named SI HAWKINS, who played short stop, and managed to hit the ball and score a run. Then came pitcher L. L. OWENS, who, calm and serene and with a two base hit looked in his eyes, took deliberate aim three times and sawed out. W. B. YANCEY hurried to the bat, struck out and hurried out in the diamond to keep the 2nd base warm. The Leans retired from the first inning with 9 dry grins and 1 run. First baseman, G. D. BUTLER, was first to bat in 2nd inning and made a safe hit and a solid run. JOHN M. AARON, right fielder was so much encouraged by the applause of some urchins who had been hired to “hollow” for the Leans, that he gave up the ghost at first base. DR. J. C. CLARK, third baseman, hit a good lick and being light and active managed to reach 3rd, but was put out on account of a mistake in the number of men out. CAPTAIN HARGROVE, who rumor says was here before the flood, had his legs spliced so they wouldn’t break, came forth to the slaughter and went down on three strikes. The CAPTAIN was the old reliable, sure and certain to get out man of the nine. He was center fielder and tried to catch balls in his derby hat. H is a dear old daisy. JAMES GLASS, left fielder, had been weeping over the departure of WALTER LEE to Brunswick, and had no heart to play, besides he didn’t care to burst the ball anymore. Below will be found the score with runs, ages and weights of the players: FATS R. Age Weight Sheriff A.......6.......36......206 Wm. Evans.......4.......39......185 A. H. Davis.....4.......30......187 C. Guinn........8.......22......196 F. Hutchins.....3.......29......178 Dennard.........5.......25......175 H. I. Horton....1.......37......187 Ed Fowler.......4.......17......206 J. J. Griffin...3.......39......196 Total Runs.....39 LEANS R. Age Weight Hargrove........0.......63......103 R. Mobley.......3.......27......118 Aaron...........1.......39......118 Hawkins.........6.......39......126 L. Owens........2.......22......130 B. Yancey.......3.......22......136 Butler..........4.......30......120 Dr. Clark.......0.......39......128 Jas. Glass......1.......29......139 Total Runs.....20 This game was only played for the amusement of the people, and several hundred ladies and gentlemen went out to see it. It was full of fun from the first inning to the last. The players were weighed on the depot scales, in uniform, at the close of the game, hence the “shrinkage” in the weight of some of the players. We understand the second game will come off on the same ground Thursday, 25th, commencing at 4 p. m. Everybody invited. It will be a free show. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/newton/newspapers/fatsvsle715gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 7.5 Kb