A July 4th Celebration

The House of David Echoes did a fine job as hosts for a 3-way on the 4th.
The Livery, riding on their strong striking, came out on top: 19-9 over the host team, and 10-7 over the Bark Peelers.
After a nice meal, the final match of the day finished with the Echoes on top. Final tally: 8-6.
The weather was nice, the company fine, and the food varied and plentiful. What a great way to celebrate the holiday.

6-26-11 The Revenge of the Mariners

At the end of the 1st inning Sunday, the tally was Bark Peelers 4, Ludington 3.
The Ludington base ball club continued this fine play during the balance of the match. Sadly, the South Haven club was done for the day. The end of the match had it 18-5, Ludington.
The 1st meeting of these two teams last year resulted in the extremely odd score of 3-2. Since the hurler's job is to initiate the play, a "pitchers' duel" like this is most uncommon.
We congratulate our friends from the North Country, and look forward to our next match with them.

6-18-11 A Fine Match

The Vintage game is funny.... sometimes all it takes is an odd hop or a missed tag, and suddenly you have a 7-aces-tallied inning.
We experienced two of those innings against our friends the Echos last Saturday evening.
25-10 was the final, then we retired for a shared meal and continued friendship.
PHOTO: Dirt with two of his favorite cranks; JP and Steve Jackson.

South Haven Ball Club Hosts 1st Tournament

Saturday, the 21st of May. Bark Peelers/Corkers 10-0; Brewers/Bark Peelers 10-7; Brewers/Corkers 5-4.
Even before the first pitch was hurled, some of the more sensitive players noted the unusual off-shore wind on the Bluff. More on the wind later.
In the 1st contest, we welcomed the newly-formed Paw Paw Corkers to our fair town. The Corkers showed great spirit and good humor, but fell to the more experienced home team 10-0.
At the start of the 2nd match, the wind changed again, this time blowing out of the South. More on the wind later.
Our friends from the Livery always arrive prepared for a good match, and Saturday was no exception. The first inning saw a flurry of aces tallied, 5 in all by the visitors. After some fine displays of athleticism on both sides, the Brewers prevailed, 10-7. This is the first ever win for the Brewers over the South Haven ballists. Well done, well struck and well played.
The third match featured the Corkers, now relaxed and settled in, versus the Brewers. Both teams displayed some fine striking of the ball and the Brewers eventually outlasted their oponents 5-4.
***We could not help notice that some players for the visiting teams were of the feminine persuasion. This is fairly unusual for this style of base ball.
Perhaps the Winds of Change are blowing. It may be time for Gentlemen and yes, Gentlewomen to play together toward the common goals of friendship, exercise and the love of the game.
Here's to many more matches with our old friends from the Livery, and new friends from Paw Paw.

5-14 tulip festival

The Gentlemen from Douglas prevailed 11-8.
A nice day and a fine match.

THIS WEEK IN BARK PEELER HISTORY

Always a Favorite with the Cranks, Reserve Behind "FirePlug" was born the 1st week of April, 1904, just outside Chicago.

STILL THE UNDISPUTED CHAMPIONS OF VAN BUREN COUNTY 2011 SEASON

8-11 Saturday, May 7th, 2:00 vs Douglas Dutchers at Holland (Tulip Festival)
Saturday, May 21st, 12:00 pm three way vs Paw Paw Corkers, Livery Brewers, Kids Corner
Saturday, June 18th, 5:00 pm vs House of David Echoes, Kids Corner (Harborfest) Sunday, June 26th 2:00 pm vs Ludington Mariners at Kids Corner
Monday, July 4th, 10:00 am four way vs House of David Echoes, Baroda Bulldogs, Livery Brewers at Benton Harbor (fourth of July)
Saturday, August 6th, 1:00 pm, Three way with Douglas Dutchers, Portage Iron Diamonds, Kids Corner
Saturday, August 13th, 2:00 pm, Livery Brewers, Kids Corner (Blueberry Festival)