Gentlemen Commence Their Season in Spirited Fashion

Submitted by Georgetown Gentlemen

~August 22, 2026~

 

After a season’s opening match delayed time and again by the untoward weather, the Georgetown Gentlemen at last took the field this day, and did so in a manner calculated to gladden the heart of every lover of the national pastime. Upon the pleasant grounds of the Historic Bell House, in the Red Lick community of Metcalfe County, the Gentlemen crossed bats with the newly organized Edmonton Nine, who were making their maiden appearance upon the base ball field.

The day proved exceedingly warm, though a kindly breeze rendered the heat tolerable, and the heavens remained fair and cloudless throughout the whole of the contest. Providence waited until the last man had been retired before unleashing a considerable thunderstorm upon the neighborhood, accompanied by hailstones of no small size; some approaching that of peas. Had the storm arrived but an hour sooner, the day’s sport might once again have fallen victim to the elements, and the patience of the Gentlemen’s long-suffering admirers would have been tried yet further.

The Georgetown club was represented upon the field by Dustin “Rooster” Nelson, Matt “Cornbread” Nunn, Bryon “Hotshot” Ellis, Josh “Coppertop” Adkins, and Rob “Bluegill” Gillespie. To fill out their nine, the Georgetown club called upon several capable men of the locality: Matt “Iceman” Glass, Russell “Blur” Gibson, Brandon “Cardinal” Combs, and Payton “Reese’s Cup” Reece, each of whom acquitted himself with no little credit.

The Edmonton Nine, meanwhile, brought forth a hearty company of athletes, many of whom are well known throughout Metcalfe County. Captained by Josh Hurt, the Edmonton ranks consisted of Jax Allen, Daniel Bragg, Justin Bruce, Joseph Eaton, Daniel Garrett, Daniel Glass, Richie Jolly, Ty McMurtrey, Matt Reed, and Bryant Stockton. For a club undertaking its maiden match, the Edmonton men displayed a most commendable spirit and no little skill.

The contest opened with both demonstrating that they had not come merely to furnish an afternoon’s amusement for the spectators. The first inning passed without a tally for either side, the fielders proving equal to the task and putting a stop to several promising advances. The play remained close through the first half of the match, the Gentlemen holding but a narrow advantage of two tallies to one at the close of the fourth inning. Neither club could claim mastery of the other, and the spectators were treated to the sort of closely contested base ball that keeps a fellow upon the very edge of his seat.

The fifth inning, however, saw the Georgetown batsmen begin to find their measure. Three men crossed the home line in succession, stretching the advantage to five tallies to two. From that point onward, the Gentlemen appeared increasingly in command, and by the close of the eighth inning the tally stood eight to three in their favor.

Yet the Edmonton men were not disposed to surrender the contest without a struggle. With the match seemingly slipping from their grasp, the Edmonton Nine rallied most magnificently, sending three tallies across the home line and narrowing the deficit to eight to six. Their determination was worthy of the highest commendation, and the spectators were roused to considerable animation. The Gentlemen, however, have grown accustomed to meeting adversity with a stout heart. With the pressure full upon them in the ninth inning, Georgetown put three additional tallies upon the board, and the Edmonton batsmen were then retired without scoring. The final tally stood at eleven to six in favour of the Georgetown Gentlemen.

Several plays of extraordinary merit deserve particular mention in these columns.

Russell “Blur” Gibson furnished perhaps the most electrifying moment of the afternoon when he sent a tremendous stroke into the deep reaches of the field. True to his sobriquet, Gibson made haste around the bases with such remarkable fleetness that he completed the circuit entire before the Edmonton fielders had properly recovered from their astonishment. It was a clean home run, and one that drew loud and prolonged expressions of approbation from the assembled company!

In the center station, Rob “Bluegill” Gillespie demonstrated that the fine form he displayed during the previous season remains very much in evidence. His hands appeared possessed of some magnetic quality, drawing to them balls that, from the vantage of the spectators, seemed destined for the deepest reaches of the field. On more than one occasion, a stroke which appeared certain to produce extra bases was deftly secured by Gillespie, limiting the Edmonton batsman to no advance whatsoever.

Josh “Coppertop” Adkins was entrusted with perhaps the most demanding station of the day in left field, where the peculiar lay of the grounds left that portion of the field running decidedly downhill. A ball escaping past Coppertop would have enjoyed a long and unimpeded journey before coming to rest, and he accordingly patrolled his ground with the most commendable vigilance.

The Georgetown infield presented throughout the appearance of an iron wall. Bryon “Hotshot” Ellis, Matt “Iceman” Glass, and Payton “Reese’s Cup” Reece handled numerous fly balls and ground hits with commendable dispatch, while at first base, Matt “Cornbread” Nunn proved himself a most capable guardian of the station. His considerable reach and sure hands resulted in few dropped throws and many an Edmonton runner finding himself retired before he had fairly settled his foot upon the bag.

Upon the pitcher’s point, Dustin “Rooster” Nelson stepped into service in place of the injured Tommy “Molasses” Druen and delivered a performance of considerable merit. Nelson kept the Edmonton batsmen sufficiently troubled throughout the afternoon, and accomplished that rarest of feats in the vintage game, a striker put out on called strikes. Such an achievement is not lightly regarded, and it deserves special notice. Druen, unable to take his accustomed place in the field, exchanged the ball for the umpire’s station and rendered his services in that capacity with evident fairness throughout the day.

The contest was not without its comic diversions. On several occasions, balls were struck deep into the field and came to rest in the vicinity of certain dogs who had apparently established a proprietary interest in that portion of the grounds. The canine residents proved wholly disinclined to entertain the players’ entreaties concerning the prompt return of the ball, producing brief but lively pauses in the proceedings. Never were the fleet feet of the players more plainly demonstrated than when they were compelled to pursue the ball whilst simultaneously negotiating the displeasure of its four-legged custodians.

Beyond the contest itself, the day served a worthy purpose. Contributions were raised on behalf of the Metcalfe County Animal Shelter, a noble institution whose good work in the community merits the support of all men and women of charitable disposition, the dogs upon the field notwithstanding.

Perhaps most pleasing of all was the spirit of cordial fellowship that prevailed between the two clubs from the first ball to the last. Though the Gentlemen carried off the laurels, the Edmonton Nine proved itself a worthy and spirited opponent in every respect, and much good camaraderie was enjoyed by players and spectators alike following the conclusion of play. The hosts at the Historic Bell House joined both clubs in expressing the sincere hope that the two nines might meet again upon this same ground about this same time next year for another exhibition of the national pastime.

Thus have the Georgetown Gentlemen commenced their season with a victory.

The club will not have long to rest upon its laurels. Next Saturday, the 29th of August, the Gentlemen shall journey to Richmond, Kentucky, where they will meet the Cincinnati Vintage Base Ball Club as part of the festivities surrounding the Battle of Richmond. The first ball is scheduled to be delivered at half past ten o’clock in the forenoon. The Gentlemen have waited many weeks for their season to begin. If this first contest is any indication, their admirers shall find the waiting very well rewarded indeed.