White River Base Ball Club

09/13/2024

West Baden Springs Hotel • Sprudel Field at East Park - Saturday, September 14 & 15, 2024

Vintage Base Ball portrays America’s pastime from its earliest roots. Throwback teams will compete in an exhibition doubleheader from the era when “base ball” was two words and the sport was first gaining popularity in the mid-1800s. Pitching was underhanded, fielders didn’t use gloves, and games were played in open fields without fences. Players will recreate the look and lingo from the era, complete with vintage reproduction uniforms. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs for comfortable seating.

Saturday, September 14
9:30am • Indianapolis Blues VS Mariah Hill Yanks
10:45am • White River/Batesville VS Vermilion Voles
Noon • Indianapolis Blues VS Belleville Stags
1:15pm • Mariah Hill Yanks VS St. Louis Brown Stockings
2:30pm • White River/Batesville VS Belleville Stags
3:45pm • Vermilion Voles VS St. Louis Brown Stockings

Sunday, September 15
9am • Indianapolis Blues VS St. Louis Brown Stockings
10:15am • Mariah Hill Yanks VS Belleville Stags
11:30am • White River/Batesville VS St. Louis Brown Stockings
12:45pm • Mariah Hill Yanks VS Vermilion Voles
2pm • Indianapolis Blues VS Belleville Stags
3:15pm • White River/Batesville VS Vermilion Voles

www.vflwb.com

08/25/2024

If one wanted to look up a definition of a seesaw battle in a dictionary of sports jargon, one would find a representation of the scoresheet from this past Saturday’s match between the Vermilion Voles Vintage Base Ball Club and the White River Base Ball Club to aptly illustrate the term. The lead teeter-tottered throughout the day as the two clubs spent the afternoon at Strawtown Koteewi Park near Noblesville, Indiana in spirited, joyful play.

As the clubs trudged into the ninth inning, the Voles held an 18-15 advantage. White River, having elected to strike first after winning the pre-game coin flip, mounted an heroic comeback to knot the score at 18-all, pushing the Voles to a pressure packed bottom of the frame.

After squandering a lead-off single to a force-out at second base to start the inning, the Voles’ Mark “Super” Janesky showed some 1886 savvy by laying down a bunt in an attempt to chase Dylan “Big Dog” Rife into scoring position. Not only did that bit of wizardry succeed, but an overthrow at first allowed Big Dog and Super to advance to third and second, respectively.

With the winning run only 90-feet away and the Voles’ Jack “Scrambler” Doan at the plate, the White River players had some tactical thoughts of their own. Seven consecutive wayward pitches were delivered to Scrambler, constituting a base on balls in the 1886 era rules, loading the sacks, and setting up force outs at each base, including - and especially - home plate.

The White River infielders edged in for a play at the dish. The Voles’ Kirk “Fingers” Gilbert grabbed a bat and headed to the box. After a pitch or two, it was time to swing away. Fingers found a pitch to his liking and scorched a ground ball past the drawn in second baseman. Big Dog rambled home and the afternoon ended with a 19-18 Voles victory.

The Voles and White River have been involved in some tremendous matches over the years and Saturday’s outing added another chapter to the storied relationship between these two clubs.

The Voles were bolstered by a complete game pitching performance from “Super” Janesky, a dandy on-the-fly grab in left field by Brent “Ace” Lemke, and an over-the-shoulder, back-to-the-field foul pop-up snag by “Big Dog” Rife at catcher.

The day was capped with some energetic huzzahs, some warm (and sweaty) handshakes, and a great post-game meal provided by the White River hosts. It was a full day of fine play on the field, earnest sportsmanship at every turn, abounding fellowship, and good ol’ fun.

The Voles next match will be Saturday September 7th at Kennekuk County Park near Danville. The Champaign Clippers Vintage Base Ball Club will come to visit for a pair of matches starting at 12 noon.

08/20/2024

Join the Vermilion Voles Vintage Base Ball Club and the White River Base Ball Club for a match this Saturday, 24-Aug-2024, at Strawtown Koteewi Park and The Taylor Center of Natural History, 12308 E. Strawtown Ave., Noblesville, Ind. 46060. First pitch is 1:00 p.m. EDT. The plan is to play one 9-innings game by the National League rules of 1886. There is no admission fee.

07/17/2024

Join the Indianapolis Blues Vintage Base Ball Club and the White River Base Ball Club this Saturday, 20-Jul-2024, at Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, Ind. 46038 for a "progressive rules" base ball match featuring the rules of 1864, 1867 and 1886.

Pre-game ceremonies begin at 11:30 a.m. with first pitch at noon.

The game is included with the regular admission fee to the park.

The 2024 Historic Baseball season is back! Join us for amazing games featuring local baseball clubs playing by 1869 rules. The event will start at noon with opening festivities, featuring the singing of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and the "Star Spangled Banner," introduction of the players and the f...

06/28/2024

Due to concerns over weather, the game tomorrow between the White River Base Ball Club and the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame 1869 Red Stockings at Conner Prairie has been cancelled. It is the intent of all parties to re-schedule it later in the year, so please check back for updates.

The 2024 Historic Baseball season is back! Join us for amazing games featuring local baseball clubs playing by 1869 rules. The event will start at noon with opening festivities, featuring the singing of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and the "Star Spangled Banner," introduction of the players and the f...

06/25/2024

Join the White River Base Ball Club and the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame 1869 Red Stockings this Saturday, 29th June 2024, at Conner Prairie for a 9-innings historic base ball game played by the rules of 1869. Opening ceremonies begin at 11:30 a.m. with first pitch at noon. The game is included with the normal admission fee to the park. Conner Prairie is located at 13400 Allisonville Rd., Fishers, Ind. 46038.

The 2024 Historic Baseball season is back! Join us for amazing games featuring local baseball clubs playing by 1869 rules. The event will start at noon with opening festivities, featuring the singing of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and the "Star Spangled Banner," introduction of the players and the f...

06/17/2024

WHITE RIVER BBC - 15-Jun-2024 Games Re-cap vs Vermilion Voles Vintage Base Ball Club

(Danville, Ill.) The 2024 season finally kicked off for both the Vermilion Voles and the White River Base Ball Club at beautiful Kennekuk Meadows on a sunny and warm Saturday afternoon. With new players on their rosters, neither team was sure of how the afternoon would go. As it turned out for White River, the bats were solid and the fielding was impeccable as they prevailed in a pair of 7-innings games under 1858 bound rules.

The first game roster consisted of Stout at first; Molasses, making his WR debut, at second; Calliope at short; Whoop-la at third; Stilts in left; Duster, who last played several years ago, in center; Rugby, also making his debut, in right; Noodle catching and Sparrowhawk pitching. Each player in this game tallied at least three hits (Calliope was 6-for-6 with a double, Noodle went 5-for-6 and Stilts, Stout and Molasses each went 4-for-6) and recorded at least one out in the field. There were only two WR fielding errors in the game. Of particular note was a triple play turned in the fourth inning to quell a Voles rally. With runners on first and second, the ball was hit to Whoop-la who recorded the first out on the bound, tagged the runner trying for third before throwing to Molasses at second who tagged another base-runner to complete the play. Two other rallies were snuffed out with Calliope throwing to Whoop-la to force runners at third. Noodle made a fine play stretching to grab a ball on the bound in front of home plate to record an out. Rugby, Duster and Stilts were rock-solid in the outfield chasing down potential extra base hits and recording outs on either the bound or by catching the ball on the fly. Stout was impressive at first by grabbing several fly balls and pulling in throws from the infielders. Sparrowhawk pitched all seven innings. Whoop-la's son, Allen, caught the final inning after Duster pulled a muscle.

In the second game, Bug and Fingers from the Voles played-in with White River spelling Noodle and Duster. The tourists from Indiana jumped out, 6 to 0, after half an inning but the Voles responded with 5 in their first frame to signal they had plenty of s***k remaining even as the temperature warmed further. White River tallied runs in four of the next six innings as Stilts (5-for-5 with a double); Rugby (5-for-6 with two doubles); Whoop-la (4-for-5) and Molasses (4-for-6) topped the hitting leaderboard and kept the Men in Blue in the lead. Fingers made an outstanding play by snagging a tricky line drive on the bound to record the final out. Bug pitched four innings to earn the win while Sparrowhawk chipped in three innings of scoreless relief. Calliope, Whoop-la and Molasses turned an impressive 6-5-4 double play to wipe out a Voles rally.

The hospitality from the Voles is always first-class and we enjoyed the post-game meal again today. The camaraderie and witty banter between the two clubs only adds to the enjoyment of playing this glorious game. Fortunately, we play each other three more times this season!

The Voles are next scheduled to play the Champaign Clippers on the 29th in Urbana, Ill. while White River's next match is also on the 29th when they host the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame 1869 Red Stockings at Conner Prairie in Fishers, Ind.

(NOTE: We forgot to take a photo with all the players afterwards, so here is one from our game almost two years ago to the day when the Voles prevailed in a wild 1886 overhands rules game at Kennekuk Meadow, 31 to 29!)

06/12/2024

It's time to flip a coin or engage in a strategic bat toss. The 2024 Vermilion Voles Vintage Base Ball Club kicks off its new season this coming Saturday June 15 at the ball fields at Kennekuk County Park. The Voles will be hosting the White River Base Ball Club in a Noon Central Time double-header. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Pack a picnic lunch. Come prepared to cheer on the Voles!

Just follow the baseball signs along the Kennekuk County Park main road to the Voles' playing area. The field is located across from the Ironwood Springs Lake Mingo boat access parking lot.

06/01/2024

Today’s games at the Story Inn between the Blues and White River have been cancelled due to approaching rain.

05/29/2024

Only three days until the full White River Base Ball Club embarks on its 2024 season!

Several of our players, Stilts, Whoop-la and Pokey, participated on a team with the Bluegrass Barons and Georgetown Gentlemen last Thursday versus and hosted by the Reds Hall of Fame 1869 Red Stockings prior to the Cincinnati Reds-San Diego Padres game at Great American Ball Park.

If you are near the Story Inn, 6404 S.R. 135, Nashville, Ind. 47448, this Saturday, 1-Jun-2024 at 1:00 p.m., join us for a triple header versus the Indianapolis Blues Vintage Base Ball Club. Three five-innings games are planned, one each by the rules of 1864, 1867 and 1886, which allows spectators to see how much the game evolved during the second half of the 19th century.

10/23/2023

WHITE RIVER BBC - All-Comers Games Re-cap from Kennekuk Meadows 14-Oct-2023

(Danville, Ill.) "Neither drizzle, nor wind nor chilly temperatures will keep these devoted ballists from completing their appointed duties!" The 2023 campaign concluded this past Saturday in fine fashion at Kennekuk Meadows as the Vermilion Voles hosted the 2nd Annual "Razor Rumble" in memory of founding member and all-around good guy Ron "Razor" Crick. Besides the hosts, members of the Champaign Clippers, Indianapolis Blues, White River Base Ball Club and students from nearby Parkland College assembled for a relaxing afternoon of 1858 rules base ball, some feats of base ball skill and delicious food courtesy of the Voles and the Motley Food Truck.

The first feat of skill was organizing teams but somehow the players eventually were able to count off by twos and create the mixed squad rosters. "Team 1" won the bat toss and elected to field first. The game was close through four and one-half innings with the Ones leading, 5 to 3, at that mark before plating seven runs in their fifth and four more in the sixth to take victory, 16 to 7. The Men in Blue on the winning squad were Calliope, Noodle and Sarge while Stilts and Sparrowhawk played for "Team 2".

Between games, players run a 90-foot dash and participated in a most accurate throw from second base to home plate. Perhaps to no one's shock, a White Riverman did not win the 90-foot dash, but longer tenured players would be surprised to learn Sparrowhawk lost the most accurate throw in walk-off fashion on the final toss.

After another roster churn, the final game for 2023 commenced. "Team 1", batting first this time, jumped to a 6 to 0 lead after an inning and a half, however "Team 2" rallied for an 11 to 10 win. The victors had to weather a final charge in the top of the seventh when three runs scored to narrow the lead to the final margin before making the final out. "Team 2" representatives from White River were Stilts, Sarge and Sparrowhawk while Razor, Calliope and Noodle manned the "Team 1" squad.

For the afternoon, each White Riverman averaged at least two hits per game played. Far more important than any statistics tabulated however was fantastic esprit de corps amongst all those present, especially in welcoming the guys from Parkland who we all hope will return for more base ball in the future.

Thanks to the Voles for once again organizing the afternoon and being the quintessential hosts; and to everybody who participated on the field, watched from the sidelines or cooked food in the truck. It's hard to imagine a better way to put a bow on the base ball season.

This report cannot end without noting Sarge who will be stepping way, at least full-time, from the team to prepare for his retirement in 2024. He joined White River in 2015 and while a couple scorecards are missing in action, the stats we have showed 104 games played, 222 total base hits including 30 doubles, 9 triples and 6 home runs for a .535 batting average and .694 slugging percentage. He won the team batting title (qualifying players had to play in at least half the games) in 2021 and was the runner-up in both 2018 and 2023. He claimed his second qualifying slugging percentage title in 2023 after winning it in 2021 and finishing second in 2018 and 2020. Sarge hit .656 for White River this season while slugging .953 with 4 doubles, 3 triples and 3 home runs. Beyond the numbers, he is an outstanding teammate and we will miss not having him almost every game we play! We look forward to having you play whenever it works for your schedule, sir!

Mixed roster games are counted as ties, so White River concludes the year at 3-12-3, but 2-2-2 over the final six contests. Work on a smaller 2024 schedule is already in the works with goals of improving attendance and focusing on recruiting additional players to the club. Achieving these two goals will require the assistance of each player associated with our club.

Finally, we will look to schedule a post-season event of some type if these is sufficient interest. If you have ideas for content or location, please pass those along. In the meantime, break out the liniment oil for those sore muscles and foot oil for the gloves and rest up for next season.

Southpaw took the attached photos from the first game (sorry Razor). There are more of all players which he posted on the Blues page. The group photo is courtesy of the Champaign Clippers.

10/05/2023

WHITE RIVER BBC - Cincinnati Reds HOF 1869 Red Stockings Games Re-cap 30-Sep-2023

(Oxford, Ohio) The calendar was about to flip over to October this past Saturday but the weather acted more like early August as the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame 1869 Red Stockings hosted a double-header at Leonard Howell Park in Oxford, Ohio on an 85-degree, sunny afternoon. Unable to field a nine on its own, White River BBC solicited help from fellow Hoosier teams, the Indianapolis Blues and Batesville Lumbermen, to serve as the opposition. The two 7-inning matches were each played by the "fly rules" of 1869 and some of the rules peculiar to this era, notably the fair-foul hit, no free-backs on foul balls and no over-running first base, became evident during play. The lead in both games see-sawed amongst the two teams and it was fitting that each emerged with a victory.

In the first game, "Blues River Lumbermen" squad scored seven runs across their final four at-bats to erase the 10 to 5 deficit and post the win, 12 to 10. "BRL" plated two runs in the top of the first on back-to-back doubles by Red 2 and Treetop and a single by Bubba. The Red Stockings then seized early control of the game with two runs in their first followed by 6 in the second to lead, 8 to 2. Sparrowhawk, Red 2, and Red 1 crossed the dish in the third on Sarge's double and Bubba's single to trim the margin to three runs. The Red Stockings completed their scoring in the bottom of the third with three more tallies. Red 2 scored his third run of the game in the fourth on Treetop's single. In the fifth, Bubba scored on Digger's double and he plated a run after singles by Pokey and Noodle and hosts' lead narrowed to two runs. The scoring could have been more as Razor followed Noodle with a hit to load the bases before the Red Stockings turned a nifty double-play to squash the rally further. The lead finally switched over to the tourists in the sixth as Red 1 reached on a fielders choice, Treetop and Sarge followed with singles before Bubba's triple scored all three. Pokey's singled home Bubba to complete the scoring. The victors pounded out 27 hits including 4 doubles and a triple with eight of the ten batters recording multiple hits. Bubba was 4-for-4 with a double; Red 2 was 4-for-5 with a double; Pokey was 4-for-5; Treetop and Digger were each 3-for-4 with a double; and Sarge was 3-for-5 with a double. Bubba pitched the final three innings without allowing a run in relief of Sarge who hurled well in his four innings. Digger completed the battery.

In the second game, the Red Stockings scored three runs in the top of the seventh to break a 5 to 5 tie and claim victory, 8 to 5. The hosts scored single runs in their first and third frames to lead, 2 to 0. The boys from Indiana tied the game in their third as Sparrowhawk scored on Treetop's double and Red 1 scored on a Sarge single. "BRL" took their only lead in this game, 3 to 2, in its fourth when Red 2 singled home Noodle. The lead volleyed back to the Red Stockings in their fifth as they plated two runs and led, 4 to 3. Back to back doubles in the bottom of the fifth by Sarge and Bubba tied the game at 4 runs each. A run in the top of the sixth tilted the score back to the hosts, 5 to 4. Not to be outdone, the visitors re-tied the game as Sparrowhawk scored on a Red 1 single. In the final frame, the Red Stockings stood tall and scored the final three runs of the afternoon. Red 2, Noodle and Sparrowhawk each went 3-for-4; one double apiece for Treetop, Sarge and Bubba. Bubba and Digger went the distance as the batterymen.

The consistent fine fielding by both teams stood out, so it was no surprise that both matches were closely played with the outcome not known before the final out was recorded in each affair.
Thanks to the Red Stockings for always being such fine hosts. We enjoy this rivalry and look forward to seeing you next season. Thanks to all the players on the amalgamated "BRL" team: Red 2, Red 1, Treetop, Bubba, Sarge, Digger, Pokey, Noodle, Razor and Sparrowhawk - we needed each of you to pull the afternoon off!

The Red Stockings are scheduled to conclude their season on Saturday, 7-Oct-2023, vs the Whiskey Island Shamrocks in Cleveland, Ohio and the White River BBC will finish out the campaign outside Danville, Illinois on Saturday, 14-Oct-2023 in the 2nd Annual Razor's Rumble All-Comers Match hosted by the Vermilion Voles at Noon CDT.

09/21/2023

09/19/2023

BATESVILLE LUMBERMEN-WHITE RIVER BBC - West Baden Games Re-cap 16/17-Sep-2023(West Baden Springs, Ind.) For a second consecutive year, the Batesville Lumbermen and White River Base Ball Club combined forces for the World Series of Vintage Base Ball on the grounds of the West Baden Springs Hotel in this picturesque southern Indiana town. The location for play, however, was not the same as the resort staff researched the exact location of the spring training facility used by 12 major league teams between 1897 and 1922, including the 1908 World Series champion Chicago Cubs, and recreated the diamond. For those interested in the history of the grand ol' game, this provided quite the thrill.

For the Batesville-White River squad, aka "Rivermen" or "Lumberriver" or "White River Lumbermen", it was an enjoyable weekend with the results on the field being three lopsided losses and one epic game resulting in a close victory. Even in defeat there were many positive moments to savor.

In the first game on the new field Saturday morning, Twig led off the game with a long home-run to provide a 1 to 0 lead. Three singles over the next four batters loaded the bases and excitement for a prosperous inning built before a tidy double play by the Blues snuffed the rally. The Blues batters took over and plated 17 in their first inning to effectively decide the outcome straight away. B-WR did produce a modest rally in its third time batting by scoring four runs. Spider, Jimmy D, Sarge and Stout crossed the plate as 8 hits were recorded in the frame. Spider scored the final run in the top of the fourth as the Blues won, 29 to 6.

The second game Saturday produced a similar outcome to the first. The White River-Batesville squad succumbed to a furious first inning by the opposition, this time the Belleville Stags, who prevailed 35 to 7 in three and one-half innings. All seven "Rivermen" runs scored in the third inning and represented its highest scoring single inning for the weekend. Twig, Rosey, Jimmy D, Sarge, Bubba, DJ, and Wheels crossed the plate during this rally.

After a night of rest, the Vermilion Voles and the Batesville-White River squad met Sunday morning in a very exciting match. The Voles scored four times in the top of the first. Twig scored on Sarge's double to narrow the margin to three runs after the first full inning. After one Voles tally in the second, Stout and Wheels scored to close the Voles lead to two. After holding the Voles scoreless in the third, Spider, and Twig scored on Bubba's three-run homer to put B-WR in the lead for the first time, 6 to 5. Sarge then tripled and scored on Jimmy D's single to extend the lead to two. Not surprisingly for these two squads, who are known for closely played games with one another, the Voles responded with a fine rally of their own by plating six runs in the top of the fourth to go back on top, 11 to 7. The lead was pushed back to six in the top of the fifth when the Voles tallied two more scratches. Spider and Twig scored in the bottom of the fifth as the the Voles lead was trimmed to four entering the sixth and final inning. In the top of the sixth, the Voles scored a final run to stake its margin at five runs. Needing a solid rally, the first six B-WR batters reached base with Pudge, Stout, Noodle, and Wheels scoring to make the score 14 to 13, Voles, with Razor at second and Sparrowhawk at first. After an out was recorded, Twig singled to score Razor, tying the game and sending Sparrowhawk to third. In the quip of the weekend, Pepper reminded Stilts that he was 0 for 3 on the afternoon but no pressure as he stepped into the batter's box. This seemed to energize Stilts who promptly singled home the winning run. It is easy to imagine these two clubs playing one another exclusively all weekend with each winning twice and scoring the exact number of runs as they are so evenly matched.

The final game of the weekend was similar to the first two as the Mariah Hill Yanks jumped out in front, 10 to 0, after two and one-half innings. B-WR scored three in its third on Bubba's second three-run homer of the event with Peaches and Stilts scoring in front of him to briefly provide some hope for a close affair. The Yanks, however, scored 11 times in its fourth in route to victory, 29 to 4. Wheels scored in the bottom of the sixth to close out the "Rivermen" scoring for the weekend.

Twig led the hitting charts going 9-for-9 over three games played with a double and a home-run. He most certainly would have had more extra base hits, but was held up by slower baserunners than himself, your humble player-correspondent included. DJ and Rosey were each 2-for-2 in their one game played. Sarge played all four games and was also one at-bat away from a perfect weekend. He went 11-for-12 with two doubles and a triple. Noodle went 7-for-10 at the plate in four games. There were six doubles for the weekend, with Wheels, Bubba, and Rosey collecting the other three. Pudge pitched the final 12 innings of the weekend in earning the lone win. Sparrowhawk collected four outs via bound or pop out in the game against the Yanks. While it was a tough weekend defensively, the outfielders, Twig, Jimmy D, Noodle, Rosey, Stilts, Razor and Sarge all logged miles chasing down line drives but each recorded at least one out. On the infield, Bubba, Jester, Stout, Wheels, Noodle, Razor, Sparrowhawk, Peaches, Pudge, DJ and Spider all defended hard, knocking down hard hit balls and turning a number of solid plays.

Many thanks to all who made the weekend so grand...Southpaw does a fine job of organizing the event and working with the French Lick Resort (representing both French Lick Springs and West Baden Springs Hotels) to give players and fanatics a good experience. The resort did a spectacular job in converting the old spring training grounds from a swampy bog into a fine ballfield. The Pluto Toe Tappers entertained with ragtime favorites throughout the weekend. Special thanks to Rusty, Southpaw and Pepper for umpiring our games. Thanks to all the fanatics who attended the games and to the Blues, Yanks, Voles and Stags for playing in this event. Apologies to anyone that was missed - it was certainly not intentional.

White River next plays on Saturday, 30-Sep-2023 in Oxford, Ohio vs. the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Red Stockings.

The photos are courtesy of Southpaw and the Indianapolis Blues. Not every player has a photo, but included is one of each player captured on film.

09/09/2023

WHITE RIVER BBC - Games Re-cap vs. Bluegrass Barons 26-Aug-2023

(Strawtown, Ind.) A strange thing occurred on Saturday, the 26th - the Bluegrass Barons and the White River Base Ball Club met for an afternoon of the grand ol' game and rain did not fall. Not since the first time these two clubs met in Lexington on a fine August Saturday in 2021 had the weather tipped its cap to those present. Last July, the intended schedule of twin 9-inning games in Lexington was reduced to one 7-inning affair as heavy rain persisted throughout the afternoon and the WR gear nearly washed away by a small flash flood. In August, the games at Strawtown were interrupted by a thunderstorm that sent both teams scurrying for cover but were eventually completed. This year, the games in Lexington were cancelled due to heavy thunderstorms.

With this unfortunate meteorological history seemingly behind them, the two clubs embarked on a doubleheader, first by the bound rules of 1864 and then by overhand rules of 1886.

In the opening match, White River rallied for six runs in the bottom of the fifth, four after two outs were recorded, to emerge with a 9 to 5 victory in six and one-half innings. The Barons scored two runs in each of their first innings to take a 4 to zero lead. White River answered with three in the bottom of its second as Bubba doubled, Sparrowhawk singled, and Moose singled to drive in Bubba. Razor singled home Sparrowhawk and Mountain later singled home Moose. The Barons answered with its final run of the game in its third inning to lead 5 to 3 and this score stood until the bottom of the fifth. With one out, Razor and Stout singled. Mountain doubled home Razor. Calliope doubled home Stout. Stilts reached on a fielders choice with Mountain tagged out at home.
Bosco singled home Calliope; Digger singled; Whoop-la singled home Stilts; Bubba singled home Bosco and Sparrowhawk singled home Digger before the final out was recorded. Both teams fielded well and Bubba pitched the final four innings without yielding a run to earn the win.

In the finale, The Barons scored four times in the bottom of the third to break the 5 to 5 tie in route to victory, 10 to 7. White River scored twice in the first inning as Mountain and Calliope scored on hits by Bosco and Whoop-la. In its third, White River tied the game as Calliope, Stilts and Bosco plated on hits by Digger, Whoop-la and Bubba. Down 10 to 5 entering the top of the fifth and final inning, The Men in Wool tried for one more rally. Calliope opened the frame with a double and with two outs scored on a single by Whoop-la. Bubba double him home but the final out was recorded and the Barons recorded a well earned win.

The White River hitting chart was led by Calliope (8 for 10, 2 doubles and 4 runs scored); Bosco (5 for 6, 2 runs scored); and Whoop-la (5 for 8 with a run tallied). Bubba doubled twice and Mountain once to round out the extra base hits. Every White River player scored at least once on the afternoon.

Thanks to the Barons for making the long trek up from the Commonwealth and for two splendid games. Both teams should feel good about the afternoon. Both clubs appreciate Noodle and Moose playing in one game each with the Barons and for Bubba joining us from Batesville. Hay Wagon was in fine umpiring form. White River also appreciates being part of Pastor Matt Landry's 30-days of Playing Catch effort to raise money for Gleaners Food Bank.

The Barons' next game is Sunday, 17-Sep-2023 in Cincinnati versus the Cincinnati Reds HOF 1869 Red Stockings. White River combines forces with the Batesville Lumbermen at the World Series of Vintage Base Ball in West Baden Springs, Indiana on the 16th and 17th.