Opening Day - 1950
Finally, after months of preparation, after years of dedication, all those that had come together to play, coach, organise and promote Baseball across Britain were to see the culmination of their efforts in the first Opening Day for the National Baseball League.
National League North
Leeds White Sox opened the scoring in the league and for the game in the top of the first, after a double from 3B Wylie, second baseman Frank Macintyre hit a single to get Wylie home for the run. But that would be all Leeds could muster; it was the Liverpool pitcher Edward Johnson that this game would be about following his shaky start. Johnson threw all 9 innings for 131 pitches, giving up 5 hits, only the solitary run, allowing only 2 walks and getting 6 Ks. But that wasn’t all, Johnson recorded 4 at bats, earning 2 hits and 2 RBIs, he was rightly and unquestionably named Player of the Game.
Player of the Game: Edward Johnson (LDS)
Attendance: 3610
It was the 3rd inning before the deadlock was broken in Sheffield by 17-year-old John King from Jamaica. The right fielder hit a run scoring triple with 2-outs, for Manchester, a young man that will surely have a long and bright baseball career ahead of him. But just like in Liverpool, this game was going to be all about the home side’s pitcher. Sheffield’s Mark Evans only gave up 3 hits, 1 ER to Manchester (the other run coming from a fielder’s choice in the 6th), and 2 walks, whilst chalking up 7Ks in 7 innings. With the game tied, 2-2, in the bottom of the 7th, Evans came to bat with the bases loaded… Evans hit a run-scoring single to give the Steelmen a 3-2 lead.
Player of the Game: Mark Evans (SHF)
Attendance: 3920
National League South
A good firm grip of hitting assured Bristol their first victory, notching up 10 singles and 1 double, catcher George McNicholas earned 1 RBI whilst 2 other runs were brought in through 2 separate sacrifice bunts from pitcher Zachary Sharp. Birmingham’s lead off man Chris Allen gave the home crowd something to cheer about with 2 home runs over the 12ft left field wall 357ft from home plate, although he inspired the home support, he could not inspire his teammates as Bristol saw out a 3-2 victory.
Player of the Game: Chris Allen (BIR)
Attendance: 3642
Nottingham’s Irish 3B, Colm Gibson wrote his name in the history books with the league’s first home run, a 2 run HR, top of the 4th, a lightening line drive to clear the 11ft left field wall, over 430ft from home plate. The Sheriff’s thought they had secured the win scoring a further 2 runs at the top of the 9th, but another home run was to come that had an even greater impact on the game. Having clawed back 3 runs so far in the bottom of the 9th, London’s right-fielder Joseph Pallett came to bat with a runner on. Nottingham pitcher Bayman was on borrowed time, everything he could throw was being hit, Pallett hit a ball high and far over the left-field wall with what seemed like minimal effort. London Monarch’s had won their first game, with a scramble at the home plate to congratulate their hero Pallett, and a scramble from fans to get to the street and find the ball!
Player of the Game: Joseph Pallett (LON)
Attendance: 5580