PLAY BALL!! BATTER UP! Jefferson Co., MT USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. "List transcribed and organized by Ellen Rae Thiel, thieljl@aol.com All rights reserved." Copyright, 1998 by Ellen Rae Thiel. This file may be freely copied for non-profit purposes. All other rights reserved. PLAY BALL!! BATTER UP! Baseball was a favorite summer sport in Boulder Valley. There was usually a very good team. The pioneers furnished their own entertainment in those days, and on a Sunday afternoon after church the whole family--big, little, old and young--would pack their lunch, climb in the wagon, and go to watch the local ball games, foot races, rodeos or whatever. There was a baseball diamond at Cold Springs in the Flaherty field and another close to the the Lazy T Ranch in what was called to the Wickham field. There was also one close to the Weber school. The ball players had very nice uniforms; navy blue in color, quilted pants for extra protection, long sleeve button shirts with "Valley" printed across the front in white. Their blue ball caps had "B V" on the front. Frank Carey was a good pitcher. He could throw a fast ball that would fool a batter and soon get him out. Hank Dulaney was relief pitcher and his specialty was a curve ball. He also played catcher part of the time. Carey Quaintance played short stop. Dennis Sheehy often played first baseman and was a good batter, sometimes pinch hitting for someone. Frank Tindall played second baseman and Ed Smith played outfield. Hugh Doherty, George and Bill Flaherty were all good athletes. They had many cheering fans and the whole team was greatly admired by the young girls. Games were played with the Boulder team, the South Boulder team and in later years with the Nigger Hollow team. Jim Kelley of Boulder was one of the umpires. Like all umpires, he was patient and long-suffering, but really very well liked. SUBMITTED BY MR. AND MRS. GEORGE DAWSON The Age October 21, 1891 The Sports The Finn and Elkhorn boys had another game of baseball last Sunday and the Elkhorn players were victorious by a large majority. The baseball nine at Finn have challenged the Boulder boys to a deadly combat on the diamond next Sunday, and the challenge having been accepted there will doubtless be sport, as the Finn nine has been long practicing for this event.