Excerpt
…played a round robin, with five innings a game until the final
which was seven innings. The spectators lined up parallel to the
baselines, which had been raked and limed. Normally, the games
were between school teams but some years older players competed.
The prizes were small; the main one being the glory of
winning. Following a quick warm-up, the umpire took his position
behind the pitcher and the game began.
The cheering and the hooting were always heartfelt. Shouts of
“get a new pitcher” and “the ump is blind” rang out with minimum
provocation. If the umpire was one of the teachers, the students
took special pleasure in ribbing him, usually trying to
disguise the voice to hedge the consequences. Supporters for the
opposing team would attempt to out shout the home team supporters
and usually the exchanges were good natured. Occasionally,
however, if a homebrew jug had been passed around, some
spectators became too aggressive, and a scuffle would begin with
the combatants disappearing behind the barn, with witnesses, to
duke it out. Otherwise, everyone enjoyed the games and if the
local team won, so much the better.
In the earlier years we sometimes would have to leave before
the final game was over, doing so very reluctantly, even though it
was well past the normal milking time. We certainly did not feel
sorry for the poor milk cows, whose udders by now were straining
with the extra milk. Later on, when I was able to play on the
school team, I would be excused from having to leave before the
tournament ended. At any event, by the time the game ended,
most adults were anxious to get away and the schoolyard quickly
emptied. By this time the concessions were sold out anyhow, particularly
of ice cream, and the soft drinks were warming up.
Chores always determined the schedule for the farming community;
the milking, and the care and feeding of their domestic animals
and poultry ruled their lives.
When it was time to leave we made our way home along our
regular pathway, discussing the events at the picnic and finishing
off whatever goodies were still uneaten.
