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reds1 · 03-14-2017, 05:06 PM

January 14, 1947

Wild Ninth Inning Marks Tenth Annual Midsummer Classic

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Wellington, Perth (BP) – The Eastern League held on to win its sixth All-Star Game and second in a row, but an exhibition game with little, if anything, on the line was decidedly elevated by a controversial ninth inning that will be talked about for days to come in Braeland.

Santop Stadium, the home of the Eastern League Wellington Athletics, served as host of the tenth Midsummer Classic. A packed house of 28,550 was on hand to witness the offensive fireworks that marked the early innings of the contest, as well as the furious rally and intrigue that ended it.

Brunswick’s LHP Anastasio Rodríguez got the start for the East, while Sherburn’s RHP Roberto Taváres started for the Western League.

The East wasted no time getting to Taváres, as he surrendered four consecutive doubles in the first inning. With one out, Roberto Ríoz smacked a first-pitch double. He was then followed in turn by Stuart Bentham, Jilenko Vergara and Aaron Skidmore. All three hit full-count doubles, making the score 3-0.

The West got on the board in the top of the third when PH Wenceslas Jasmin slammed a solo home run 450 ft. to dead centerfield off of LHP Matthew Monroe. But the Easterners got that run right back in the bottom of the inning, when Game MVP Aaron Skidmore got his second hit, taking RHP Ian Peter deep with a two-out solo home run.

Both sides would threaten in the ensuing innings, but neither was able to score until the ninth.

Brunswick’s LHP Hirotada Fukushima took the mound to start the inning. After inducing Vic Weetman to pop up to C Mick Gunnis, Zak Kidd, Loïc Billon and Damon Purcell all followed with singles, loading the bases. With a 1-1 count to Sean Brearton, play was stopped and a balk was called on a mystified Fukushima, forcing in Kidd for the West’s second run of the game and advancing Billon and Purcell.

After Eastern League skipper Bill Quinn retuned to the dugout following his spirited ‘discussion’ with the home plate umpire over the call, Brearton smacked a fly ball to left-center field. Billon tagged up at 3B but C Mick Gunnis was waiting for him with ball in hand, thanks to a terrific throw from LF Tzu-yu Song. Billon crashed into Gunnis, jarring the ball loose and was ruled safe on the play. That set off the crowd, who booed and hissed Billon as he walked back to the dugout, while Gunnis, who plays for the hometown Athletics, was slow to get up.

With one on and two out and the lead cut to one, Fukushima faced Heung-su Park. But Fukushima got Park to fly out to Song in LF to end the game and seal the victory.

Eastern League manager Bill Quinn remained upset by the called balk after the game. “I didn’t see it. I don’t think anyone in the ballpark did either – ‘cept the umpire. It’s a shame when an umpire has to inject himself into the game like that. It wasn’t as though Fukushima was blown off the mound or anything.”

But Quinn was more diplomatic when asked about the home plate collision between Billon and Gunnis. “Well, those things are part of the game. You don’t want to see anyone get hurt, but players are taught to give 100% every time. I don’t think I would have done anything different if I was in Billon’s shoes, quite frankly. The kid was just doing his job.”

Stratford Barons’ C Aaron Skidmore, who was replaced in the sixth inning by C Mick Gunnis, appeared happier that his fellow catcher was all right following the collision than he was over winning MVP honours. “Oh sure, it’s nice to make a difference for your team and get recognized like that. But that was a tough spot no catcher wants to find himself in. I’m not surprised he got back up and dusted himself off though. We’re a tough breed.”

As for the man himself, Mick Gunnis had no quarrel with Billon over the collision. In fact, he appeared to be more upset with himself. “It comes with the territory, y’know, each man doing what it takes to win” he replied, shrugging his shoulders as he sat in his locker stall. Then, looking down at the floor, he continued in a quieter voice: “Should’ve held onto it though.”

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Here are the complete All-Star rosters:

03-14-2017, 05:06 PM	#333
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	January 14, 1947 Wild Ninth Inning Marks Tenth Annual Midsummer Classic -------- Wellington, Perth (BP) – The Eastern League held on to win its sixth All-Star Game and second in a row, but an exhibition game with little, if anything, on the line was decidedly elevated by a controversial ninth inning that will be talked about for days to come in Braeland. Santop Stadium, the home of the Eastern League Wellington Athletics, served as host of the tenth Midsummer Classic. A packed house of 28,550 was on hand to witness the offensive fireworks that marked the early innings of the contest, as well as the furious rally and intrigue that ended it. Brunswick’s LHP Anastasio Rodríguez got the start for the East, while Sherburn’s RHP Roberto Taváres started for the Western League. The East wasted no time getting to Taváres, as he surrendered four consecutive doubles in the first inning. With one out, Roberto Ríoz smacked a first-pitch double. He was then followed in turn by Stuart Bentham, Jilenko Vergara and Aaron Skidmore. All three hit full-count doubles, making the score 3-0. The West got on the board in the top of the third when PH Wenceslas Jasmin slammed a solo home run 450 ft. to dead centerfield off of LHP Matthew Monroe. But the Easterners got that run right back in the bottom of the inning, when Game MVP Aaron Skidmore got his second hit, taking RHP Ian Peter deep with a two-out solo home run. Both sides would threaten in the ensuing innings, but neither was able to score until the ninth. Brunswick’s LHP Hirotada Fukushima took the mound to start the inning. After inducing Vic Weetman to pop up to C Mick Gunnis, Zak Kidd, Loïc Billon and Damon Purcell all followed with singles, loading the bases. With a 1-1 count to Sean Brearton, play was stopped and a balk was called on a mystified Fukushima, forcing in Kidd for the West’s second run of the game and advancing Billon and Purcell. After Eastern League skipper Bill Quinn retuned to the dugout following his spirited ‘discussion’ with the home plate umpire over the call, Brearton smacked a fly ball to left-center field. Billon tagged up at 3B but C Mick Gunnis was waiting for him with ball in hand, thanks to a terrific throw from LF Tzu-yu Song. Billon crashed into Gunnis, jarring the ball loose and was ruled safe on the play. That set off the crowd, who booed and hissed Billon as he walked back to the dugout, while Gunnis, who plays for the hometown Athletics, was slow to get up. With one on and two out and the lead cut to one, Fukushima faced Heung-su Park. But Fukushima got Park to fly out to Song in LF to end the game and seal the victory. Eastern League manager Bill Quinn remained upset by the called balk after the game. “I didn’t see it. I don’t think anyone in the ballpark did either – ‘cept the umpire. It’s a shame when an umpire has to inject himself into the game like that. It wasn’t as though Fukushima was blown off the mound or anything.” But Quinn was more diplomatic when asked about the home plate collision between Billon and Gunnis. “Well, those things are part of the game. You don’t want to see anyone get hurt, but players are taught to give 100% every time. I don’t think I would have done anything different if I was in Billon’s shoes, quite frankly. The kid was just doing his job.” Stratford Barons’ C Aaron Skidmore, who was replaced in the sixth inning by C Mick Gunnis, appeared happier that his fellow catcher was all right following the collision than he was over winning MVP honours. “Oh sure, it’s nice to make a difference for your team and get recognized like that. But that was a tough spot no catcher wants to find himself in. I’m not surprised he got back up and dusted himself off though. We’re a tough breed.” As for the man himself, Mick Gunnis had no quarrel with Billon over the collision. In fact, he appeared to be more upset with himself. “It comes with the territory, y’know, each man doing what it takes to win” he replied, shrugging his shoulders as he sat in his locker stall. Then, looking down at the floor, he continued in a quieter voice: “Should’ve held onto it though.” -------- Here are the complete All-Star rosters: Last edited by reds1; 07-26-2017 at 05:46 PM.