It is the tenth of July in the hot summer of 1879. Washington is home, hosting the nine from Holyoke. Both teams play in the National Association.
The Nationals boys seem to have recovered their batting qualities, and the way they pounded Mickey Welch shows that they are capable of handling any pitcher if they will only give him their attention long enough to understand his delivery. A 18 to 6 win for the Nationals over the Holyokes. The game was particularly noticeable for the heavy batting of Bill McClellan, Phil Baker, Levi Meyerle, George Derby and Amos Booth on one side and that of Martin Powell and Patrick Gillespie on the other. In fielding Levi Meyerle, Phil Baker, George Derby, Bill McClellan, and Tierney carried off the honors for the Nationals, and Powell, Roger Connor, and Patrick Gillespie for Holyoke. Phil Baker made a beautiful running fly catch that was offset with another by short stop James Sullivan of the Holyokes. Jack Lynch pitched effectively and was ably supported by Sam Trott.
Mr. E Kipp umpired and except for one call, where he called a foul ball to right field fair, and thereby giving the 
visitors two runs, he performed with satisfaction.
The Nationals Club once again have problems with the control of vehicles on the playing field. Wagons crossed and recrossed the field with impunity, and finally settled in leftfield, within the foul line, to the danger of interfering with the operations of the player who occupies that field, and aided in the scoring of runs for either side where otherwise they could not have been obtained. Washington National Republican, “It is not known who is responsible for keeping the field clear for the players rests, but it is supposed to be the duty of the manager of the home club.”
The manner in which the grounds are policed has been the subject of repeated and severe comment, and many persons are inclined to the belief that, as the club pays a license tax to the District treasury, it should receive more attention from the authorities than is given to it. The Holyoke Club was passing from the grounds to the hotel in their coach, when they were stoned by the rabble in the streets, and, no police being near, they were compelled to face the music as best they could. Some of the glass in the coach windows was broken in this shameful assault. The police force detailed to the grounds has always been too small and an increase will be asked for.
The Washington Post writes, “Ever since the Nationals were vanquished by the Holyokes, in a game of 17 to 3, they have felt that the disgrace was only to be wiped out by a score in their favor of equal magnitude. Yesterday was the day of retribution. At the close of the ninth inning, after nearly three hours’ playing, the runs scored by the home club numbered 18, while only one-third that number had been placed to the credit of the Holyoke nine. A crowd of 1,500 was on hand.
Welch and Roger Connor will in time be elected to the Hall of Fame.
