On Thursday, October 4, 1866, upwards of 25,000 cranks, the largest crowd of people ever assembled in this country to witness a base ball match, arrive at the Fifteenth Avenue and Columbia Avenue grounds to see the local Athletics of Philadelphia take on the visiting Atlantic Base Ball of Brooklyn in the first match this season for the championship of America.
More than 10,000 fans fill the enclosure a full hour before the game, with seating accommodations for only 4,000 to 5,000 persons.
Another 4,000 people pass through the gates over the next hour. Every inch of standing room is packed with people. There are as many fans in the stands as there are on the grounds. Meanwhile, the crowd outside the grounds was equally, if not more numerous than the one inside, with a great many arrivals from New York, Boston, Baltimore, Washington, and other cities present to witness the game.
"The two clubs appeared on the grounds in their full strength, the Athletics dressed in blue pants, white shirts, and caps; the Atlantics in gray pants, white shirts, and red caps. Both nines looked remarkably well and were apparently in most excellent trim for fine play." - Chicago Tribune
After a fifteen-minute delay, Brooklyn finally takes the field. Facing Atlantic pitcher Thomas Pratt, Philadelphia's Dan Kleinfelder is retired by second baseman Fred Crane. Next up, Dick McBride reaches safely when Charles Smith fails to cleanly handle a liner to third. Al Reach then singles up the middle putting runners at the corners. Ike Wilkins grounds to second, corralled by Crane; McBride scores from third on the fielder's choice. Thomas Pratt then strikes out Nate Berkenstock, but not before Al Reach crosses home on a passed ball for a 2-0 Athletic lead.
Leading off for the Atlantic, Dickey Pearce singles through the left side. Charlie Smith follows with a bouncer to second; Pearce is forced at second base, Reach to Wilkins. Joe Start then doubles to deep center field advancing Smith to third base. With Fred Crane at the bat ...
... a disturbance flares up within the crowd on the eastern side of the field. With police trying to push back fans, many protested that as long as they paid their admission, they were entitled to see the match and enjoy all the privileges that any other person enjoyed.
One particularly unruly customer sustained wounds to his head when he misguidingly assaulted police officers.
By that point, fans from all directions infiltrated the field. A portion of fencing along Columbia Avenue gave way, and hundreds of more cranks entered the field. Police and grounds committee efforts went for naught.
The clubs deliberated for roughly one half-hour, and the game was ultimately called.
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