1909 West Baden Sprudels
Stories are placed in order of the date they appeared.
April 25, 1909
French Lick, IN
"River Rats Defeated. - The West Baden, Indiana ball team opened the season Sunday, April 25, with the Evansville Athletics, a semi-professional white team, before a very large and enthusiastic crowd. The bicycle track, which is used as a grandstand, was filled half way around. The game was fast and snappy, quite unlike an opening game. The feature of the game was the pitching and batting of Bennie Lyons, who struck out six men and put the ball over the center field fence with two men on base for a home run. Webb, the new first baseman from Anderson, Indiana, showed up as a professional ball player. Toney, of the Chicago Union Giants, had an off day, with two errors, but managed to get away with two safe ones. Gordon, one of the A.B.C.s old star catchers, also showed up well, and landed a couple of safe ones. West Baden 5, Evansville 3. The Louisville Giants and the Cuban Giants will paly here this week."
April 27, 1909
French Lick, IN
"The West Baden Sprudels defeated the Louisville, Kentucky Giants Tuesday, April 27, by a score of 6 to 5."
May 5, 1909
West Baden, IN
"Southland Team Defeats Hoosiers - Birmingham Giants Take Two Games from the West Baden Nine. - Special to the Freeman. - West Baden, Indiana. - The Birmingham, Alabama Giants took two games from the West Baden team on the 5th and 6th, last week, winning the first game by a score of 2 to 0 and the second 11 to 4. The Spring Water boys were unable to cross home plate in the first game. J.B. Taylor pitched for the Giants, and played fine ball, allowing the Hoosiers but four hits. He struck out twelve batters, and had the West Baden team at his mercy all during the game. Scottland pitched the second game, and showed up well until the seventh inning, when the Hoosiers found his curves and slammed the sphere for four runs. This was the only inning in which he allowed them any runs."
May 21, 1909
West Baden, IN
"The Chicago Leland Giants found plenty to do at West Baden, Indiana Friday of last week, in defeating the West Baden Sprudels, it being a pitchers' battle and honors even until the twelfth inning, when the Giants scored on a safe hit to deep center, making the score 1 to 0. Batteries - Sprudels, Daugherty and Pierce; Giants, Ball and Booker. Attendance, 2,000."
May 22?, 1909
West Baden, IN
"A.B.C.s Beat Sprudels. - West Baden, Indiana. - The A.B.C.s of Indianapolis defeated the West Baden Sprudels in the opening game of the series 9 to 3. Batteries - Sprudels, Lyons, and Gordon; A.B.C.s Higbee and Knight."
May 24?, 1909
West Baden, IN
"West Baden Defeats High Arts. - West Baden, Indiana. - Special. - The West Baden Spindles defeated the High Arts of Evansville by a score of 6 to 2. the pitching of Daugherty and fielding of Toney were the features of the game."
August 6, 1909
West Baden, IN
"West Baden Sprudels Win. - West Baden, Indiana. - The West Baden Sprudels defeated the French Lick Plutos in a hard-fought thirteen-inning game August 6. The features of the game were the batting of Williams, who broke up the game with a homer in the thirteenth with two men on bases. Score: Sprudels 6, Plutos 3. Batteries - Sprudels, Brown and Coleman; Plutos, Watkins and Watts. Umpire - Jackson."
August 14, 1909
West Baden, IN
"Sprudels Take Series. - Beat the Memphis, Tennessee Giants for Three Straight Games. - Special to the Freeman. - West Baden, Indiana. - The West Baden Sprudels and Memphis Giants finished a series of three games, Saturday the 14th. All three games went in Baden's favor. The second game was somewhat exciting, going thirteen innings. Memphis scored in the twelfth and seemed to be a sure winner, but Baden evened matters in their half by Burnett going to third on a bunt and scoring on Williams' and Washington's tie-up at first. In the thirteenth Webb put one to third that was difficult for the little fellow on that sack, and he threw wild. Webb then stole second and advanced to third on Coleman's sacrifice, and then scored on slow fielding of Memphis' shortstop. Webb is considered the best first baseman in the West. Skinny Williams is playing find ball; Skinny is known as the only real utility man ever seen on the West Baden ball grounds. Coleman and Ralph Jones, of the Louiville Giants, are also making good. Cola has caught the past thirty games. First game - Memphis Giants 3, West Baden Sprudels 4. Second game Memphis Giants 4, West Baden Sprudels 5. Third game Memphis Giants 5, West Baden Sprudels 8."
West Baden, IN
"Even Break in Series. - West Baden Sprudels and French Lick Plutos Win Three Each. - Special to the Freeman. - West Baden, Indiana. - The West Baden Sprudels and French Lick Plutos broke even in their six-game series, the first going to French Lick, 5 to 1. The next three went to West Baden, 4 to 1, 6 to 3, and 2 to 0. The next two were in French Lick's favor, 4 to 2 and 5 to 0. Two out of the six were thirteen-inning games. One went in Baden's favor after the third batter had struck out with two men on bases and two out, but the Pluto catcher failed to hold a foul tip, which resulted in a two-base hit, ending the score at 6 to 3 in the first half of the thirteenth. West Baden failed to score in their half. The last game went thirteen innings in French Lick's favor. Twelve innings were played without either side making a score. In the thirteenth, Harris, French Lick's star third baseman, popped out a single in the time of need, and Baden went in the air, and the result was five runs. West Baden failed to score in their half, and the end was a whitewash, 5 to 0. Cool Brown and Wild Dan Watkins pitched both the thirteen-inning games. Brown is West Baden's best pitcher and seldom loses a game. He was formerly of the Philadelphia Giants. Watkins is also a good pitcher, and is widely known for his speed. He has lost only two games since he has been with French Lick. Edmond Pace, the crack fielder of the Anderson team, is making good with the Sprudels. Pace is putting the wood against the leather. George Brown, formerly of the Louisville Giants, is also making good with the Sprudels. Manager Burnett says Brown is his most steady man. Little Beach and Ironsides Burnett, the only two home boys that are still making good, are putting up a good game. Little Beach is known as the smallest shortstop ever seen on a diamond with semi-professionals. Burnett made one of the best catches ever seen on the West Baden ground, in the fifth game, by running at least a hundred feet back in right field and catching a fly ball that looked to be a sure home run. Burnett caught the ball with his back to it, running at full speed."
August 29, 1909
West Baden, IN
"Sprudels Defeat Plutos. - Special to the Freeman. - West Baden, Indiana. - The West Baden Sprudels defeated the French Lick Plutos here Sunday in a game full of sensational plays. Batteries - Plutos, Watkins and Watts; Sprudels, Denny and Coleman."
September 3, 1909
French Lick, IN
"Four in a Row to Plutos. - Harris Wins Last Game, Allowing Sprudels Two Bumps. - Special to the Freeman: French Lick, Indiana. - The Plutos made it four straight from the Sprudels by defeating them in the last games of a series, September 3. Score was 7 to 3. The Plutos knocked two pitchers out of the box - Brown and Safford - while little Harris was invincible, letting the Sprudels down with two hits, the Plutos getting nine off of Brown and Safford. The Sprudels were credited with five errors and the Plutos with one. The Plutos left for Linton, where they were to play Saturday and Sunday, playing a double header Sunday."
French Lick, IN
"The French Lick Plutos defeated the Sprudels Friday 7 to 3."
September 4, 1909
French Lick, IN
"The French Lick Plutos defeated the Sprudels Saturday 3 to 1."
September 5, 1909
West Baden, IN
"Sprudels Down Athletics. - Special to the Freeman. - West Baden, Indiana. - The West Baden Sprudels defeated the Evansville Athletics Sunday, in a well-played game, 8 to 3. This is the third victory for the Sprudels this season over the Athletics. They played four games in the spring. The Athletics were very much disappointed in their defeat, as they had picked some of the best that they could find in Evansville to win out in the series."
September 6, 1909
West Baden, IN
"The Sprudels redeemed themselves Monday by shutting the Plutos out, 13 to 0, without a hit. Little Stanford of Louisville pitched the phenomenal game, and also struck out eight men."
September 17, 1909
West Baden, IN
"Sprudels Close Season. - French Lick Plutos Last Victims - Lose by Scores of 8 to 3 and 4 to 3. - Special to the Freeman. - West Baden, Indiana. - The West Baden Sprudels beat the French Lick Plutos Friday and Saturday of last week in two well-played games. Brown, West Baden's old reliable, only allowed the Plutos four hits in the first game, and Sanford, who is always a puzzle to the Taggarts, only allowed them five in the second game. The Sprudels have a good team at present, and Manager Burnett regrets that the season is near an end. Webb, who has played star ball for West Baden all summer, will go back to his old home at Anderson, Indiana, the first of the month. He is considered the best first baseman West Baden ever had. He is desirous of getting on with some good team next season. Skinny Williams, who has been starring for West Baden as utility man, will go to his home in Cairo, Illinois. Sanford will go to Minneapolis, where he is to play with the Keystones next season. George Brown, the Sprudels' timely and reliable bunter, will go to Louisville, as he was only borrowed from the Giants. Jones also will go to Louisbille to play with the Cubs next season. Coleman, Louisville's favorite ball player and former captain of the Giants, will retain his old position as 'Captain Cola behind the bat.' Manager Burnett is contemplating having the best team in the West next season, and hopes to turn out a few more, as he did this season to the Lelands. First game (Friday) West Baden 8, French Lick Plutos 3."
September 18, 1909
West Baden, IN
"Second game (Saturday) West Baden 4, French Lick Plutos 3."
October 1?, 1909
West Baden, IN
"Divide Honors with the Red-Skins. - Special to the Freeman. - West Baden, Indiana. - The West Baden Sprudels beat the Nebraska Indians, the first game of a three game series, 4 to 0. Little Bobbie Sanford was on the slab for the Sprudels and had the Indians at his mercy all through the contest. This is the fifth shut-out for Sanford this season, having only lost seven out of fourty-one games. Captain Foley done the twirling for his Indians, but was unable to keep the Sprudels from connecting with the leather."
October 2?, 1909
West Baden, IN
"The second game was a one-sided contest, all in the Indians favor; Baden having five errors and Picks proving such a marvel to the boys that had just a day before hit their best pitcher for eight safe ones. Picks struck out thirteen men and didn't give a base on balls, and the best that was gotten off him was one sacrifice. He was certainly in some form, and some more form. Bunks the big shortstop for the Indians had on his batting clothes and got four safe ones out of five times up; two being home runs, having put the pea over center field fence twice in succession. Little Frisby, who has been pitching fine ball for the Sprudels all during the season, was in for Baden, but could not stop the big reds from hammering the ball. Frisby is a white boy and a fine all around player, he has been with the Sprudels for the past two years. Some teams kick on his playing with the Sprudels, he being the only white boy on the team, but Manager Burnett says he will not part with Frisby on account of the good feeling that exists between races in Baden. The Sprudels were formerly half white and half colored, having traveled that way."
June 7, 1909
West Baden, IN
"Ranites Take Three in a Row. - After losing to the Louisville Cubs, the A.B.C.s went to West Baden, Indiana and played the spring water boys in a series of three games, winning the same. The scores were: Monday 4 to 0, Tuesday 2 to 0, Wednesday 2 to 1."
West Baden, IN
"Captain Gordon Says Sprudels Fast Team - Has a Strong Pitching Staff - Gives the Official Score of the Sprudels - A.B.C. Series. - West Baden, Indiana. - Captain S.S. Jordon of the West Baden Sprudels and an ex-A.B.C., has much faith in his team and says that few colored or semi-professional teams with the exception of the Leland Giants can take a series from the Sprudels. Their pitching staff, composed of Charles Daugherty and Bennie Lyons, of Indianapolis, and Henry Brown, of the Brooklyn Royals of New York, are inferior to none, and the article of baseball they have been pitching places them on a level with the best. The Leland Giants only got two hits off Daugherty in 12 innings, and Bennie shut the A.B.C.s out two games last week. Gordon gives the following as the official scores of their games with the A.B.C.s: Monday, June 7: West Baden 5, A.B.C.s 0."
June 8, 1909
West Baden, IN
"A.B.C.s Win Game. - West Baden, Indiana. - The West Baden Sprudels were shut out Tuesday by the Indianapolis A.B.C.s 2 to 0. Batteries - Sprudels, Brown and Pierce; A.B.C.s Higbee and Meredia."
West Baden, IN
"Second game, June 8: West Baden 0, A.B.C.s 2"
June 9, 1909
West Baden, IN
"A.B.C.s 2, West Baden Sprudels 1."
West Baden, IN
"Third game, June 9: West Baden 1, A.B.C.s 2"
June 10, 1909
West Baden, IN
"Fourth Game, June 10: West Baden 2, A.B.C.s 0."
June 11, 1909
West Baden, IN
"A.B.C.s Shut Out. - West Baden, Indiana. - June 11. - The West Baden Sprudels shut out the Indianapolis A.B.C.s Thursday, 2 to 0. Batteries - Sprudels, Lyons and Gordon; A.B.C.s, Talbott and Merida."
June 18, 1909
West Baden, IN
"Sprudels Best Plutos. - West Baden, Indiana. - For the sixth straight time the West Baden Sprudels defeated the French Lick Plutos last Friday by a score of 11 to 8. Batteries - Sprudels, Brown and Pierce."
June 19, 1909
West Baden, IN
"Gordon Rejoins Team. - Samuel Gordon, Captain and catcher of the Sprudels of West Baden, Indiana, was in the city this week. Owing to some trouble with his manager, Gordon left the team, but has received a telegram asking him to rejoin the team."
June 25, 1909
Indianapolis, IN
"Sprudels Win Game. - West Baden, Indiana. - The Nashville, Tennessee Standard Giants fell easy victims to the West Baden Sprudels Tuesday, the score being 11 to 2. Batteries - Sprudels, Lyons and Pierce; Standard Giants, Monon and O'Neil."
June 25, 1909
Indianapolis, IN
"Albert Toney is playing a good game of ball at West Baden, Indiana."
July 4, 1909
Indianapolis, IN
"The Cubs play at Indianapolis, Sunday, July 4, and Monday, July 5, with a double header on the 5th."
"Louisville Cubs Play A.B.C.s - The Louisville Cubs are here for a series with the A.B.C.s, Sunday and Monday. The Cubs recently beat the local team at Louisville, and the home boys expect to play the trick on them during the series. Both of these teams are in good shape, and strong contenders for the independent championships of their respective States."
West Baden, IN
"Cubs Bow to Sprudels. - Lose First Game of a Series with West Baden's Crack Team. - West Baden, Indiana. - After defeating the A.B.C.s of Indianapolis in a double-header Sunday, the Louisville Cubs lost to the Sprudels in the first game of a series by a score of 5 to 1. Batteries - Sprudels, Lyons and Crow; Cubs, Martin and Mitchell."
July 10, 1909
Indianapolis, IN
"Why don't the West Baden and the French Lick teams give us a game in the Hoosier metropolis?"
July 19, 1909
West Baden, IN
"Plutos Take Lion's Share. - West Baden Loses Three Games of a Four-Game Series. - Special to the Freeman. - West Baden, Indiana - French Lick and West Baden ended a series of games last Monday. French Lick took three, while Baden barely got away with one. Wild Dan, French Lick's pitcher, took the first game by a score of 5 to 2. The second game was taken by a score of 4 to 3 by Sloan, French Lick's southpaw, who is soon to sign with the Cuban Stars. He not only showed that he was a pitcher, but proved that he was there with the stick, by putting the ball over the fence in the fourth. The third game was more interesting than all, as it lasted eleven innings. Miller, one of French Lick's new pitchers, finally won it by a score of 6 to 5. Sanford, formerly of the Louisville Giants, pitched the fourth for Baden and won by the score of 7 to 5. Slim, also of the Louisville Giants, is with Baden now, and is playing fine ball. He has made better with the team than any of the Louisville players. He has played outfield, infield and pitched, and is yet without an error. Cola, one of Louisville's old favorites, is also catching a good game for Baden. Manager Burnett is anxious to get just one more of Louisville's players, whom he says is one of the best fielders in the Southwest, Jesse Briscoe. I'll agree with Burnett that there is none better."
July 20, 1909
West Baden, IN
"Sprudels Defeat Giants. - Special to the Freeman. - West Baden, Indiana, July 20. - The West Baden Sprudels defeated the Birmingham Giants in a loosely played game today, 10 to 6. The feature of the game was the timely batting of Woods."
July 24, 1909
Indianapolis, IN
"Doughtery with Lelands. - Charles Dougherty, Indianapolis's crack pitcher, who made a record with the Sprudels of West Baden, Indiana, has joined the Leland Giants. Dougherty is a southpaw and one of the best in the business."
July 30?, 1909
West Baden, IN
"West Baden Sprudels Win. - West Baden, Indiana. - The West Baden Sprudels defeated the Birmingham Giants in a loosely played game. The feature of the game was the timely batting of Woods. Score West Baden 10, Giants 6. Batteries - West Baden, Brown and Coleman; Giants, Pams and Cobb."