Baseball battles between LeRoy and Osage go back to the 1800s

May 05, 2010 at 4:01 PM

Here is another baseball story for you, from the Austin Register on June 8, 1876, "Saturday, June 3, will long be remembered by lovers of baseball in LeRoy. The occasion being a match game of baseball between the Champions of LeRoy and the Mourners of Osage.

The Mourners came preceded by intelligence that they intended to play a couple more of imported players. Our boys have had similar experience, heretofore, and lost no laurels by it. They came on the field confident in their ability to sustain the name they have chosen. And well they did, snatching victory from almost certain defeat.

At the end of eight innings it was 8 for the Champions and 11 for Mourners. It was here where our boys showed their indomitable pluck. They went to bat determined to die game, if die they must. The result was four earned runs, leaving them one ahead.

The Mourners still had their inning to play. Our boys were equal to it. The result being that a man never got to first base.

The game was characterized throughout by fair playing and friendly feeling. Our boys feel it an honor to have defeated so able a club. They also feel it a pleasure to contend with such courteous gentlemen."

I could find no record of another sports team with the name "Mourners."

This Week at the HHH

11 a.m., Wednesday, Tour from Rochester

Thursday, Y’s Women - social 5 p.m., dinner 5:30 p.m., program 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Deadline to sign up for Social Concerns.

Coming up at the HHH

Social Concerns: Supporting Soldiers and their Families

Guest speaker Norm Hechimovich will present Social Concerns at 11 a.m. on May 18. After the one-hour presentation, lunch will be served. Please RSVP to the HHH office at 433-4243 by Friday, so that we have an accurate count for the lunch.The program is free and everyone is welcome. Funded in part by the Untied Way of Mower County.

Spring Card Party

The Spring Card Party has been rescheduled for May 24. Sign up your table of Bridge or 500 to play. Lunch is served at noon followed by an afternoon of card play. Prize to each table high score. Cost is $9 per person. Sign up at the HHH office at 433-4243.