1910 West Baden Sprudels
A Calendar, Including Newspaper Clippings, of the 1910 West Baden Sprudels
- Known Roster
Bingo Bingham
Jesse Brisco
George Brown
Carson
Morten Clark
- Dizzy Dismukes
W.E. Tick Houston
Bill Kindle
Jerome Lewis
Eugene Moore
Luther O'Neal
- Robert Stanford
Ben Taylor
Charley Taylor
Steel Arm Johnny Taylor
Sam Wiley
Wabishaw Spencer Hank Wiley
- Strink Bean Williams
1910 West Baden Sprudels
Stories are placed in order of the date they appeared.
April 10, 1910
West Baden, IN
"Sprudels Take One From the Plutos - It was One-sided Game in Every Way. - Special to the Freeman. - West Baden, Indiana, April 15. - The West Baden Sprudels beat the French Lick Plutos Sunday, April 10, in a one-sided game, 12 to 2. The Plutos scored their only runs in the first inning, and throughout the other eight innings it was what might be called 'candy.' The Plutos can be excused on account of not having their full line-up, but it was clearly showed that the Plutos cannot compete with West Baden unless they have quite a change in their line-up. Charley Taylor, the well-known manager of the Birmingham Giants, is captain-manager of the Sprudels, and has most of his old boys with him. Manager Taylor says that his team will compete with any colored team in the country, barring none. Among those with the team are: Moore, Brown and Bingham, in the old field, the best in the country as a trio, Lewis, Taylor, Wiley and Houston (reading from first to third) can't be beat in the infield. You all have heard about Steel-Arm Johnnie. Well, his brother is among those who will toss the leather. 'Nuff said,' The West Baden Sprudels only ask the public to watch the Freeman to find who the 1910 champions are. The Sprudels will deliver the goods, while Ed Rogers, the Freeman representative, will let the publi know who the real champions are. Messrs. Rogers, Burnett and Pollard are proud of their team, and will be glad to hear from the Louisville Cubs, A.B.C.s and Leland Giants, and all southern teams, who think they are colored pennant winners. Edward H. Rogers."
West Baden, IN
"West Baden 13, French Lick 2."
April 11, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden 3, French Lick 5."
April 13, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden 10, French Lick 12."
April 14, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden 7, French Lick 3."
April 15, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden 12, French Lick 1."
April 17, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden 10, French Lick 0."
April 21, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden 7, French Lick 7."
April 28, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden 4, French Lick 1."
April 29, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden 12, French Lick 1."
April 30, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden 4, French Lick 8."
May 4, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden 10, French Lick 5."
May 5, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden 8, French Lick 4."
May 6, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden 6, French Lick 11."
May 8, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden 12, French Lick 8."
May 9, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden 6, French Lick 1."
May 13, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden 6, French Lick 1."
May 14, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden 8, French Lick 6."
May 22, 1910
French Lick, IN
"Plutos Defeat Sprudels. - French Lick, Indiana. - May 23. - The Plutos again defeated the Sprudels today, 2 to 1, in a game full of thrilling plays. The Plutos got eight hits, while Williams held the Sprudels to three. The feature of the game was a home run by Woods. Batteries were Williams and Watts for Plutos and Taylor and Wiley for Sprudels."
April 16, 1910
Mobile, AL
"I am informed that C.I. Taylor has gone to West Baden with his bunch of Birmingham Giants. I wish him much success, as the Birmingham Giants had the call in Mobile last season."
"Championship Race to be Hot. - Teams All Over the Country Will Fight for it. - Perhaps the most talked about event in baseball that is to happen this season will be the try-out for the world's colored championship by the most prominent colored baseball clubs in the country. It is expected that the world's series will begin immediately after the closing games of the various leagues throughout the United States. There is a longer list of teams of standing which will compete for the pennant than last year, and every one of them is working hard to get into the championship ranks, so that they might be given a chance at winning the flag. So far the list is quite limited as to the teams that will compete for the supremacy mark. It includes Leland's Chicago Giants, Leland Giants, Cuban Giants, St. Louis Giants, Birmingham, Alabama Giants, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Giants, Royal Giants of Brooklyn, New York, Kansas City Kansas Giants, Kansas City, Missouri Royal Giants, Louisville Cubs, St. Paul Gophers, and Minneapolis Keystones. - Should Award a Cup. - The Freeman is of the opinion that the various managers should get together and make the contest the more interesting by appropriating a certain amount to use for prizes. A loving cup of real silver should serve as the price to be won by the club winning the world's championship. It is also slated that these games are to be played in Chicago this year, where baseball is being richly supported each year, although much talk is going the rounds concerning the idea of holding the battles in New York."
April 28, 1910
West Baden, IN
"Taylor Heads West Baden Sprudels. - Former Manager of Birmingham, Alabama Giants in Indiana. - West Baden, Indiana, April 28. C.J. Taylor of the famous Taylor brothers of baseball fame and former manager of the Birmingham, Alabama Giants, has taken charge of the West Baden Sprudels for the season and the former members of the Alabama team are with him. His team has already played six games with the French Lick Plutos, winning four and losing two games. The Freeman is truly the greatest friend the Negro baseball player has, said Mr. Taylor, and believe me, we appreciate it a great deal more than you really believe and yet not as much as we ought to. Everybody here and also at French Lick speaks in praise of your great edition of April 16. It was grand."
May 8, 1910
Louisville, KY
"West Baden Sprudels play at Spring Bank Park, Louisville, Kentucky."
May 9, 1910
Louisville, KY
"West Baden Sprudels play at Spring Bank Park, Louisville, Kentucky."
May 10, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden Sprudels Win From Vincennes. - The West Baden Sprudels beat the Vincennes club, May 10 and 11, 7 to 1 and 10 to 5. The Vincennes are the champions of the Kitty League, and played some fast ball, but the Sprudels just out-played them. The Sprudels have not lost a series of games this season, and are very anxious to meet some of the best teams, so they may be able to show the public that they are the best in the West. Captain-Manager C.I. Taylor says they cannot show their superiority by beating French Lick, but will show it when he has an opportunity to meet some of the so-called champions from Chicago, Kansas City, and Brooklyn. The owners of the Sprudels, Messrs. Burnett, Pollard and Rogers, want to thank Sam Dickson (Little Sam), Will Perry (Blunt), Will Hill, John Marshall, Dudley Sehree, and others for their excellent rooting. Come around, boys, Sunday, and get a pass."
May 14, 1910
Indianapolis, IN
"West Baden Sprudels' Record Up to Date. - Below we give the record of the batting average of each player in the West Baden Sprudels Club."
May 19, 1910
West Baden, IN
"The first game went in the Cubians favor 3 to 0."
May 20, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden 2, Cubian Giants 1."
May 21, 1910
West Baden, IN
"Cubian Giants Lose to the Sprudels. - Special to the Freeman. - West Baden, Indiana - The West Baden Sprudels beat the Cubian Giants May 19, 20, and 21, two games out of a three-game series, 2 to 1 and 9 to 8. The first game went in the Cubians favor 3 to 0. The three games were never decided until the last man was out, the last going ten innings. Ben Taylor and Morton Clark were on the slab for the Sprudels and were effective at all times. Manager Bright, of the Cubians, liked Taylor and Clark so well that he offered them a big salary to come with him, but Taylor and Clark say they know which side their bread is buttered on. Bright also wanted to take Brown, the well-liked center fielder of the Sprudels. The so-called champions are beginning to realize that the Sprudel stockholders know good ball players when they see them, and there has been any number of them made special trips to West Baden in order to try to entice some of the Sprudels with them. Rube Foster secured Daugherty from the Sprudels and other managers think they can do the same this year, but ball players want to be protected, and West Baden is the town that protects their players and also gives them what they promise; also they have the benefit of the waters and the board can not be beat. The players also know they have a season's work and no danger of being sent away at any time until the season is over. Messrs. Burnett, Pollard and Rogers extend an invitation to all managers if they can take a man from under the management of our worthy and old reliable C.I. Taylor."
August 7, 1910
St. Louis, MO
"Sunday, August 7, was sure a big day at Athletic Park. With the clouds hanging low, the park was jammed to see Captain Taylor's boys from West Baden, Indiana. Never has a more gentlemanly bunch of ball players been seen in this city than the boys from Indiana. A sure enough ball club. Too much credit cannot be given this club. The ladies seemed to admire Rogers and the whole bunch. Lyons was Captain McMurray's man for slab duty, and Ben Taylor for Captain C. Taylor. The crowd went fairly wild when little Lyons stepped in the box. Giants 15, West Baden 9."
August 8, 1910
St. Louis, MO
"At Jefferson Barracks. - Johnnies Defeated with Ease - St. Louis Giants Brought Home the Bacon - Win from West Baden. - Special to the Freeman. - St. Louis, Missouri, August 8. - Before a most brilliant crowd of officers and soldiers, the St. Louis Giants defeated the soldiers with ease at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. The manager of the Giants, Charley King, was treated like a king by the officers and enlisted men, the freedom of the barracks was given the Mills boys and after the game the boys enjoyed every hour of the visit. Gatewood pitched a masterly game and at no time were the boys in blue dangerous, our pitcher striking out fourteen of the soldiers in the seven innings he pitched. Stevens relieved him and held the soldiers safe. Giants 5, Soldiers 0."
"Manager Mills has sure enough proven to be a hot favorite. His pleasant smile and courteous treatment to the public has won him many friends. He is sure enough one of those good fellows. Keep it up, Mills. - Taber at second is playing the game of his life for the Giants. Good work, old boy. - What do you think of the grand old Knight at third. It's a treat to see him play. - Lan-Sue, wake up; the boys are getting very fast. Get busy! - Somebody must stop the Giants. The cry now is 'Oh you Lelands!' Some big doings on the 16th, 17th and 18th. - Mills has a winner. Just like him, nothing but the best. - Watch this boy Mills. Coming from nowhere in three years to a park owner. We are proud of you and the public is with you."
August 16, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden Sprudels Beat Famous Dallas, Texas Giants Three out of Four, August 16, 17, 18 and 19. - West Baden, Indiana. - When the Dallas team took the field Tuesday of last week their practice was nothing short of sensational, but when the game was ended there was quite a difference, as the Sprudels showed the boys some scientific points about the game. Jacobs went up first for the Giants and put the first ball pitched forty feet out of Old Brown's way, but the little star made one of the most phenomenal catches of the season out of it, and started the day off in a hurrah. Dismukes, the new recruit from St. Louis, was on the mound for the Sprudels, and showed some form by holding the Giants down to four hits and also getting two hits to his credit, when there were only four hits made off Block during the game. Bingham, the old reliable, also put the wood on the leather and was in the game by getting two hits. Block, who was in for the Giants, pitched a fine game, but was a little wild. Lamkins, the man behind the stick for the Giants, is certainly there with the goods. George Johnson, the little center fielder for the Giants, is certainly some sticker, having put the ball over the fence in the seventh, saving his pals a shut-out. Score, Dallas Giants 1, West Baden Sprudels 2."
August 17, 1910
West Baden, IN
"Second Game. - The second game was fast and full of ginger. Ben Taylor, the younger brother of the famous Taylor brothers, was on the mound for the Sprudels, and held the Giants down to three hits. He also had six assists and struck out four. George Johnson can well be said to have stolen old Dad Johnson's good name as Home Run Johnson, having swatted the pea for two more home runs. Jerome Lewis, the big second sacker for the Sprudels, sure can add this game to his credit, having put the ball over center field fence in the fourth inning, with one man on base. Ben Taylor was the master of things during the rest of the game, and held the boys hitless until old George Johnson came with his homer, O'Neil, the new backstop for the Sprudels, is certainly some catcher, and could show himself as a coming Petway if he would get out of that slowness. His stick work is peaches and throws to second the candy. But she is just a little slow. Dallas Giants 2, West Baden Sprudels 3."
August 18, 1910
West Baden, IN
"Third Game - The third game went entirely in the Giants favor. Etridge, better known as Red Horse, was the master of the situation. He held the Sprudels down to four well-scattered hits and struck out seven men. Dallas Giants 4, West Baden Sprudels 0."
August 19, 1910
West Baden, IN
"Fourth Game. - The fourth game started with a vim in favor of the Giants. Block was on the mound for the Giants, while Dismukes done the slab work for the Sprudels. The Giants piled up three scores in the second inning. Clark was the star of the day, and showed the Sprudel critic Richard that he was ready for fast company. Clark has had a little slump in his batting here of late, but he showed he was back in form by getting two doubles and a single. Red Horse, who pitched such a fine game against the Sprudels the day before, relieved Block in the fifth, but it was certainly to his sorrow, as the Sprudels had on their batting clothes and hit him for ten runs. Dallas Giants 4, West Baden Sprudels 13."
"Diamond Dainties. - Kindle sure is a good third sacker; quick as a cat and has a good arm. - Everybody's happy. - Jerome shows up well on second. - Moore sure is showing the boys that he can move if he wants to. - Ben Taylor and Dismukes are the pitchers of the hour. - Excuse me while I laugh. - What better two hitting pitchers? - Old Brown, that's all. - Jerome's home run was a life-saver. - Clark 'Old Specs' can certainly get back in the grass and get those hits. The ladies go wild over Clark, the little college boy. - When everybody gets blue the Captain puts life in them with that little foxy stunt, handling the ball with his feet. - If Kindle was only a real Sprudel. - The Sprudels go to St. Louis September 4 and 5, Louisville 11 and 12. - Talk about your rooters! Who can beat Little Sam? Mr. Sinclair says there is no game is Sammy is not there. - Well, Lille Beachie ain' asleep he's some rooter also. - Waht do you know about Ed Rogers as sole owner of the Sprudels? - Rogers says he is going to show you some club next year."
August 20, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden, Indiana. - Recently the West Baden base ball team played two games with the Dallas, Texas team, winning both of them. They played eight games with other teams, namely Plutos and Cincinnati Shamrocks. They gave the Plutos eggs two days. Score of the game on August 20: Dallas Giants 0, West Baden Sprudels 2.
"Score of second game of August 20: Dallas Giants 4, West Baden Sprudels 8. The feature of the game was the batting of Garrett, the giant first sacked of the Dallas team. He certainly is some hitter, but he had a slump while here, only came to himself the last game, so they left the Springs for their home as the teams around this part was a bit tough for them."
August 26, 1910
West Baden, IN
"Captain Taylor, who had pitched a shut-out game the day before against the hard hitting Plutos..."
August 27, 1910
West Baden, IN
"August 27, Dismukes started in to pitch for the Sprudels, but was a bit wild and Captain Taylor, who had pitched a shutout game the day before against the hard hitting Plutos, took Dismuke's place in the box and held the Shamrocks hitless thereafter. Cincinnati Shamrocks 4, West Baden Sprudels 3."
August 28, 1910
West Baden, IN
"August 28 Dismukes came back and pitched a shut-out game. This fellow had everything he needed that next day so he delivered the goods. The Cincinnati Shamrocks could not touch him. Home run by Ben Taylor was the feature. Cincinnati Shamrocks 0, West Baden Sprudels 5."
August 29, 1910
West Baden, IN
"August 29 Cincinnati Shamrocks 0, West Baden Sprudels 1."
August 30, 1910
West Baden, IN
"August 30 Cincinnati Shamrocks 3, West Baden Sprudels 4.
September 4, 1910
St. Louis, MO
"Sprudels at St. Louis, Missouri September 4."
September 5, 1910
St. Louis, MO
"Sprudels at St. Louis, Missouri September 5."
West Baden, IN?
"Break Even. - Double Header Between West Badens and Louisville Cubs. - The West Badens and Louisville Cubs broke even on the double header Labor Day. Both games were interesting from start to finish. Watson, of the Cubs, played gilt-edge ball at third. Taylor, on first for the West Badens, is a second Frank Chance. First game West Baden Sprudels 4, Louisville Cubs 5. Second game West Baden Sprudels 6, Louisville Cubs 3."
September 6, 1910
West Baden, IN
"September 6 score: Chicago Giants 2, West Baden Sprudels 0."
September 7, 1910
West Baden, IN
"The second game was more of a swimming race than it was of a ball game. The water was standing on the field in every place in this game. Walter Ball, who had pitched grand ball for six innings, was at bat and made a hit and while sprinting towards second made turn to get back to first, and sprained his ankle and had to be taken out of the game. - September 7 score: Chicago Giants 8, West Baden Sprudels 0."
September 8, 1910
West Baden, IN
"September 8 score: Chicago Giants 3, West Baden Sprudels 1."
September 9, 1910
West Baden, IN
"Thirteen Inning Draw. - Sprudels v Chicago Giants - A Game to Read About. - The West Baden Sprudels played the Chicago Giants four hard games, which were defeats for the Sprudels in every game except the last one, and that game was a slug fest. The Sprudels out-hit the Giants, but the base running of one or two of the Sprudels could not be accounted for, as we had never seen such weird base running done by these players before. - The Sprudels had only scored one run during the series, so all the wise ones predicted that the Giants had been easy on the Sprudels for the three days, and as this was their last game at the Springs they would show the Sprudels that they could not play the game at all, but luck broke even and the game was called on account of darkness, the score being 6-6 - a tie in 13 innings. - The feature of the game was the batting of George Brown and James Taylor, Brown in six times at bat made one sacrifice, three singles and one two-base hit. The home run was made in the tenth inning with two men on base. That is going some."
September 11, 1910
Louisville, KY
"Sprudels at Louisville, Kentucky September 11."
September 12, 1910
Louisville, KY
"Sprudels at Louisville, Kentucky September 12."
September 28?, 1910
West Baden, IN
"First Game: Gunthers 2, West Baden Sprudels 11."
September 29?, 1910
West Baden, IN
"Second Game: Gunthers 16, West Baden Sprudels 1."
September 30?, 1910
West Baden, IN
"Third Game: Gunthers 4, West Baden Sprudels 2."
October 1?, 1910
West Baden, IN
"Fourth Game: West Baden Sprudels 3, Gunthers 3."
October 2?, 1910
West Baden, IN
"Fifth Game: Gunthers 2, West Baden Sprudels 1."
"West Baden Sprudels and Gunthers. - Play Thirteen Inning Draw - Gunthers a Scrappy Bunch. - Niesens Gunthers played a five-game series at West Baden, winning the series by what was called foul means. Two games went to the Gunthers by a very rotten decision by Manager Niesen. Friday, who was the umpire for the first two games, walked out of the diamond in the third game, declaring that the Gunthers was not a gentlemanly set of ball players. Friday, who is a white man, said that while umpiring the players would constantly curse and swear at him, using all manner of mean language when it was absolutely uncalled for. There were other umpires sent in, but they were treated likewise by the Gunthers. Niesen finally went in and absolutely gave the game to his team, after Rogers, owner of the Sprudels, trusted him to umpire fair. The last game also went in the Gunthers' favor, after they walked off the field and would not finish the game unless Niesen umpired Niesen and Otis Burnett went on the job after a long delay. And the game went in favor of the Gunthers, by a mean decision in the last half of the ninth, by Niesen calling Moore out when there wasn't a person in the park, white or black, that would have said that he was wrong. Quite peculiar. The Sprudels have played all the Chicago clubs - Chicago Giants, Leland Giants, and the Gunthers (this season) a thirteen inning game. rube Foster won out in the thirteenth by the score of 3 to 2. The Lelands and Gunthers games were called on account of darkness in the thirteenth."
October 15, 1910
West Baden, IN
"West Baden Sprudels Finish Season October 15 - Ed Rogers Contemplates Forming a League in Middle States. - Owner Rogers, of the West Baden Sprudels, reports a successful season for baseball in West Baden this summer. Mr. Rogers is proud of his team, and boasts of its being the best in the country in colored baseball, barring Rube Foster and Frank Leland. The Sprudels have beat every team they have played except these two teams. Played thirteen-inning games with both teams, losing to Rube Foster in the thirteenth, 3 to 2, and drawing with Leland on account of darkness. C.I. Taylor, captain and manager of the team, also deserves some of the credit for the team's success. Taylor is always in the game, and never loses a chance to put over a trick on some of the best teams in the business. Taylor is noted for scientific baseball, and has made the South famous in baseball through his professional teams. The players were all satisfied with their owner, promising to return next season. The Sprudels have traveled to every city in the West, and have not lost a series in any city except Chicago. There are bright prospects for the Sprudels next year, as nearly every man on the team was a young ball player, and really just learned the game this season. Moore, the little left fielder, surely won out in the batting average, while many give it to Ben Taylor; Brown finished well, as also did Clark and ONeal. Bingham, who was among the top notchers, had a slump towards the last of the season. Lewis, Carson and Dismukes fell in the .200 class. Captain Taylor also could be depended upon as a good sticker. Among those that were with the Sprudels during the season were: Jesse Brisco, Sam and Hank Wiley, Robert Stanford and W.E. Houston. Houston played fine ball while with the team; only a little hard to control. Owner Rogers is contemplating forming a colored league next year, with Chicago, Indianapolis, Louisville, St. Louis, French Lick and West Baden. This league could very easily be formed if there were weekday baseball towns between West Baden and St. Louis and Chicago and West Baden. There is not a baseball town in America that draws in the week as well as West Baden and French Lick, therefore allowing these city clubs to play weekday games away from home. Rogers would like to hear from towns or cities that have good weekday games between these points, or that could play at least one game a week. With these six or eight teams traveling and the home team allowing the visitors a good percentage, it ought to make a prosperous league."
June 2, 1910
West Baden, IN
"In the Field of Sport. - by Harld C. McGath. - West Baden Sprudels Win from Louisville Cubs. - The West Baden Sprudels beat the Louisville Cubs June 2 and 3 in two of the fastest games seen at West Baden Ball Park this season. The Cubs had their usual lineup the first day, with Martin in the box for the first five innings, and Prim as receiver. But Martin went up in the fifth and little Griffin attempted to take his place, but showed up a shade worse. Clark, who is fast showing the public that he is the best ball player that ever donned a Sprudel suit, went in for the Sprudels and had the Cubs at his mercy at all times, having struck out 14 men and kept the few hits received by the Cubs well scattered. Big Hank Wiley did the receiveing for the Sprudels and is fast coming back to himself. Wiley has been suffering from rheumatism for the past few months and at times thought he would have to give up playing, but he knocked the last bit of rheumatism out by putting the ball over the canvas in the sixth for a home run."
June 3, 1910
West Baden, IN
"The second game was a hard battle, with Ben Taylor in for the Sprudels and West for the Cubs. West was effective at times, but Taylor held the boys spellbound, only allowing four scattered hits. The feature of the second game was a beautiful catch by Brown, the Sprudels' center fielder, while Bingham easily led with the stick work."
June 5, 1910
French Lick, IN
"West Baden and the Plutos played a fast and interesting game Sunday, which ended in one of the prettiest plays seen on the Plutos' diamond. In the ninth inning Kinsie knocked a long fly to right field, which caught Bingham playing close to center. Bingham started for the ball at top speed and it seemed utterly impossible ot get it, but he made a phenomenal one-handed catch out of it about two feet inside the foul line, which caught Dan near home and the big French Lick catcher near third. Bingle slammed it to first and Lewis sent her to Clark at second, which completed one of the prettiest triple plays ever seen on a baseball diamond. Stanford was in for the Sprudels and only allowed the Plutos five hits, three being in the second inning."
"Nick-Nacks of the Game - Houston is some hard ball player and always in the game. - C.I. Taylor made a home run, and we are told he made a double there. Jerome Lewis is back in the game again and better than ever. - Bingham is going some with the stick. - Ben Taylor is leading with a batting average of .417. - Moore, Brown and Bingham are batting .300. I guess Sam Wiley ain't a third sacker. What? Clark is captain during C.I.'s absence and controls the boys nicely."
June 20, 1910
West Baden, IN
"The Lelands leave Sunday night for West Baden where they play on the 20th, 21st and 22nd."
West Baden, IN
"Between the Giants. - Leland Giants Win from Sprudels - The Same Score, 4 to 2, for Both Days. - Special to the Freeman. - The West Baden Sprudels and the famous Leland Giants crossed bats June 20, 22 and 23. The Sprudels showed a record of winning 36 out of 48 games, and also a record of not losing a game for 20 straight. The Lelands had not lost but two games out of the last 38 games. Therefore it made the series very interesting, as the Sprudels had beaten the Louisville Cubs, Memphis Tigers, Cuban Giants, Evansville Athletics and Vincennes of the Kitty League, not allowing either team to win a game. The Sprudels had also beaten French Lick and other semi-professionals who are claiming the championship of the Middle West, as the Memphis Tigers. The Sprudels are not claiming any championship, but have proved what they are by beating every team played, barring the Lelands. And our old master, Rube Foster, said the series of games he won from the Sprudels was certainly the hardest he had won this season. The first game was fast and looked in favor of the Sprudels time and again. Pete Hill and Hutchinson, it can be well said, won the game for the Giants by knocking the ball over the centerfield fence for homers right in the time of need. Sam Wiley, the big third baseman for the Sprudels, also lifted one of Foster's drops over centerfield fence, which the Baden fans greeted with Thank You! Clark did the twirling for the Sprudels and had the Giants guessing all through the contest. Foster, the old reliable, was in for the Giants and gained quite a lot of favor from the fans with his funny sayings and underhand ball."
June 21, 1910
West Baden, IN
"The Lelands leave Sunday night for West Baden where they play on the 20th, 21st and 22nd."
West Baden, IN
"Second Game. - The second game was something of a pitchers' battle and went thirteen innings in favor of the Giants. It was one of the hardest contests seen on the Sprudels' diamond since Foster and his men were in Baden a year previous, when twelve innings were played without either side scoring. It was when Dougherty made his hit with Rube and also when Rube outbid the Sprudels for the big left-hander. The Sprudels had one in just as good and showed Foster that there were other left-handers that could puzzle them as well as Dougherty. Ben Taylor was the contestant, and only liked one thing to have beaten the champions, and that was Pierce, the old 1909 catcher. Taylor held the champions all through the contest as though they were the Plutos, and would have won his game only for a costly error by the Sprudels favorite sticker, Eugene Moore. In the thirteenth inning, with two men on base. Strother went in to bat for Pryor and knocked a line drive straight to Moore, who misjudged it and allowed it to go over his head, scoring the two winning runs. Wickware was in for the Lelands and acknowledged he had not pitched as hard this season. Petway showed some class in all three games and is undoubtedly the best colored catcher in the business."
June 22, 1910
West Baden, IN
"The Lelands leave Sunday night for West Baden where they play on the 20th, 21st and 22nd."
July 3, 1910
Louisville, KY
"Baseball at Louisville. - By Jesse Palmer. - The West Badens and Louisville Cubs met for the third series of games at Spring Bank Park Sunday, July 3, the Cubs defeating Taylor's aggregation in one of the best played games of the season, despite the heavy hitting of the West Badens. It was really pitchers' battle, with honors about even. The feature of Sunday's game was the fielding of Emory, Rogers, Wallace and Watson for the Cubs and Taylor and Hueston did the best work for West Baden."
"Notes - Emory certainly played some first Sunday. Booker, the old reliable first sacker, came over and went to his old place at first. - Old Nat Rogers is fielding at short in great form. Get your eye on the ball, old fellow. - Captain Griffin was all smiles after Sunday's game, as the Cubs won from the West Badens in a Garrison finish. - Watson, the third sacker, is going at some rapid pace with his fielding and batting, as well. He is hitting at a fair clip at present. - The boys from West Baden can certainly play the game, and under the leadership of Captain Taylor the club that bests them must play some ball. - Benton should have won his game. Say boys, play ball. A hint to the wise is sufficient. We are still with you, Benton, old fellow. Better luck next time. - Haywood Rose, backstop king, was of the Johnnie Kling order. Not one man stole a base. Only one attempt was made and he got his. Let the good work go on. - Wallace's playing at second was nothing short of marvelous. Wallace is one of the fastest second sackers in the country. He is a consistent hitter and good on the bases. Hats off to you, Kiddo; you deserved to win. West had perfect control Sunday and that low ball broke nicely, in fact, it was really the best West had twirled this season."
July 4, 1910
Louisville, KY
"July 4 the best the Cubs could get was a ten-inning tie in a very loosely played game. Benton was on the slab for the Cubs and should have won his game. Not an earned run was made by either team. In the afternoon about 100 14th degree fans braved the rainy weather to hear the Johnson-Jeffries returns. In the fifth inning Captain Taylor played the baby act to perfection and called his men off the field. Captain Taylor doesn't do baseball any good by such conduct."
July 9, 1910
Indianapolis, IN
"Sprudels Win One, Lose One. - Both Teams Even Up Things in Indianapolis. - The visit of the Sprudels to this city last Saturday and Sunday to play the Indianapolis A.B.C. Club a couple of games resulted in the visitors taking the first game by a score of 18 to 5 and the A.B.C.s winning the second game by a score of 5 to 1. Both games were well played, but the Sprudels simply ran away from the home boys in the Saturday game, despite the efforts of the A.B.C.s."
July 10, 1910
Indianapolis, IN
"It can be said that both teams played great ball Sunday from a scientific standpoint, although the A.B.C.s seemed to show a shade the better so far as condition went. Captain C.I. Taylor of the West Baden boys showed keen insight and natural ability as a ball player of long years' experience in generaling his men. The spectators could not help but admire such a skillful battery as Taylor and Houston of the Sprudels show themselves to be."
July 17, 1910
Chicago, IL
"Lelands Whip Sprudels. - Role up Score of 9 to 0 - Great Crowd Present. - Otis Burnett, of West Baden, Indiana, came to the city Sunday with the West Baden Sprudels, to play against the Leland Giants. Much to the credit of the visitors, they put up a fine game. The first six innings were as finely played as any team the champions have gone up against. The Sprudels were in excellent trim, and their good playing elicited a great deal of rooting from the fans. Taylor, the pitcher for the Sprudels, could not deliver the goods, while Dougherty of the Lelands, was there. Taylor struck out two men, while Dougherty struck out nine men. Every man on the Leland Giants team made a hit except Pryor, and Hill and Payne made three base hits. One of the largest crowds of the season attended the game."
July 18, 1910
Chicago, IL
"Stars Take First Game. - Cubans Pile Up Early Lead and Defeat Sprudels, 8 to 1. - The Stars of Cuba won the first game of their series with the West Baden Sprudels Monday, at Gunther Park, by the score of 8 to 1. Williams pitching in the first two innings giving the islanders too much of a lead for the Sprudels to overcome."
July 23, 1910
Chicago, IL
"On Monday of this week the Chicago Baseball League passed a rule barring games between its members and all visiting colored ball clubs from now on, the rule being made to include the Cuban clubs that have been playing around the circuit the past two years. The rule will work very badly against the Stars of Cuba, who figured on playing on the Chicago League Circuit after the Cuban Stars left the city. This action means that the Chicago Leaguers will not play visiting colored teams any more in the future."
July 30, 1910
West Baden, IN
"Clark, the West Baden short stop, is a very clever player even though he does wear glasses."
July 31, 1910
Chicago, IL
"West Baden Sprudels and Union Giants at our (Leland Giants) Park."
Chicago, IL
"The West Baden Sprudels left the city very suddenly last week. They went up against several clubs, and made it pretty warm for their opposers."