An article in the Lykens Standard of June 29, 1906 describes the second year of organized baseball in the Lykens Valley area. The teams in the league were formed by local athletic associations and in the beginning, only men who were actually from the local community were encouraged to play on that community’s team. But the competitiveness generated by the sport soon led to the practice of bringing in outside players, including professionals, to play against the home-grown talent of the other team.
The change-over seemed to happen in 1906 in a series of games between Lykens and Williamstown, both towns members of a four-team league which included Reiner City and Tower City. Lykens had won the pennant in 1905. At the time that Lykens seemed to be headed toward a 1906 pennant, home-grown teams from Lykens and Williamstown met resulting a 8-0 defeat for Williamstown. The next time they played, Williamstown imported professional players from elsewhere. The result was that Lykens was defeated. But, Lykens also had outside players on its team, so its complaints were not serious. Nevertheless, the practice of bringing in outside players was established.
BASEBALL REIGNS SUPREME.
The following article in Monday’s Pottsville Republican aptly describes the baseball situation in this valley.
The baseball craze has taken possession of our people and holds them spellbound. All other sports, all other subjects are relegated to the background, and base ball reigns supreme. Men, women and children are enthusiastic over the games from Reiner City to Lykens, and the one topic of conversation is the great national sport. A base ball league was organized last year, and the long dormant interest in base ball was revived. There are four teams in the league: Orwin, Tower City, Williamstown and Lykens. Last season Lykens carried off the pennant, with Williamstown a close second. This year, Williamstown is determined to win and will spare no expense to carry off the pennant. Lykens has a strong team and threatened Williamstown with defeat for first honors. Up to Friday of last week Lykens had the lead, having won every game played and defeating their greatest rival Tuesday by the score of 8 to 0. The pride of the sporting people of Williamstown was somewhat shocked at this defeat, but did not lose heart. They were more determined than ever to win, and one of the leading sportsmen declared that Williamstown would defeat Lykens and, if it was necessary, would get Reub Waddell to pitch for them. The telegraph line was brought into service to redeem their wounded pride ad some of the leading players of the Tri-State League were engaged to help defeat the champions of the valley. In order to make assurance doubly sure a committee went to Williamsport and brought some professional players to win Friday’s game for Williamstown. The professionals passed through Lykens on Friday on their way to Williamstown. The news was soon circulated through the mines, the workshops, and wherever base ball enthusiasts could be found, and everybody seemed anxious for an early quit on Friday to attend the battle of the giants. Girls at the mills got leave of absence, the colliery closed early in the afternoon, the clerks were all eager to witness the contest and business was practically suspended on account of the base ball game at Williamstown. The W. V. R. R. [Williams Valley Railroad] ran a special train at reduced rates and all their coaches were filled to overflowing. The trolley line was overtaxed, and the telephones were kept busy until the game was ended.
Our enterprising clothier, T. A. Hensel, kept in close touch with the game, and shortly after the conclusion he posted the score in front of his store — Williamstown 1, Lykens 0. The general sentiment was one of regret, for our sports built high on our team. On the arrival of the van of our boys from the scene of the contest they, noticing the score as posted, deftly crossed off the last syllable of the word Williamstown and wrote “port” in the stead, thus making it read Williamsport 1, Lykens 0, and when asked for an explanation it was given quite satisfactorily. They claimed that of the nine players only two reside in Williamstown, the others were imported from Williamsport and other places to win the laurels; besides, they claim the eighth imported player was seated on the grand stand ready to substitute if necessary. So they insist that Williamstown did not defeat Lykens, but that the imported players from the Tri-State and other leagues did.
Williamstown, however, is not the only team in the league that employs players from a distance. Lykens admits having two with a third who has recently made Lykens his home. Some of the imported players are hired for the season, others for one or two games. The upper end of the valley, to keep up with their strong competitors in the lower end, are strengthening their teams with imported players. An Indian arrived from Carlisle who has the reputation of striking out every batter that comes before him. On the other hand, it is said that Williamstown has a batter that no pitcher can strike out.
The game on Saturday between Williamstown and Lykens at the latter place was exciting and interesting. Lykens tried hard to redeem herself, but without avail. The score was 4 to 3 in favor of Williamstown. Lykens is now far behind Williamstown in the race, and the indications point to a a final victory for Williamstown, but Lykens will contest it up to the last minute, and they feel special pride in the fact that nearly all their men are home players, being residents of Lykens or Wiconisco, and when we speak of Lykens in base ball parlance we include Wiconisco, for the two towns are practically one. The team is known as the W. & L. Athletic Association.
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Article obtained from Newspapers.com.
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