The Monitor Base Ball Club of Chelsea traveled to Flint to play the Lumber City Base Ball Club. The trip marked two firsts: it was the first time Chelsea had played in Flint, and it was the first time the Monitor roster included a thoroughly bearded gentleman who goes by the name Stagecoach.

The Monitors brought an enthusiastic crowd with them to Flint. One was both vocal and musical in her support.

The umpire had a megaphone so the crowd could hear him.

If you’re wondering why he’s not speaking into the megaphone…well, it’s not the megaphone that was important. They set up a loudspeaker, and the megaphone had a microphone in it. He used the system to call out the names of the strikers as they went up to bat and to explain the rules when they differed from modern baseball.

The Monitors struck first, and they put up three runs.

Here’s Stagecoach in his first action with the Monitors:

One of the best ways to look like you belong on a vintage base ball team is to have a beard like that!

Three runs seemed like a good start…until Flint put up 12 in the bottom of the first. It was a rough half inning!

Things didn’t look good for the Monitors after the first, but they kept hitting well. How well? They scored at least three runs in six of the first seven innings, including nine runs in the sixth! Not only that, but the defense recovered and held Flint to only one more run through five innings, at which point the Monitors had gained a lead they wouldn’t surrender.

As with most vintage base ball matches, there were some humorous moments. Here’s the aftermath of one:

They got tangled up on a play at first and ended up on the ground in a heap, accompanied by plenty of laughter. As I recall, the Monitor base runner — Caveman — was safe.

On one play, Stagecoach established himself on third just before the third baseman could corral the ball.

The Monitors ended up with a big 35-23 victory!

Huzzah!

When the teams were gathering for the postgame photo, Pepperbox tried to turn the tables on me. I was ready.

If you’re in the Chelsea area and you’d like to see just how much fun a Monitors match can be, you have one more chance this season! The Monitors will be playing their final home match of 2014 this Sunday, September 14 at 2pm at Timbertown. Join us for a fun afternoon of base ball!