The spring of 1868 opened with a decided fall in the base-ball thermometer, owing to the Harvard-Lowell controversy of the preceding summer - settled by melting the silver ball, the bone of contention. Harvard had won the ball from Lowell in the face of great opposition and public disapproval, and was rather elated over her victory, which aggravated her recent rival. Charges of trickery were made on both sides, in which the uniform dignity of the Harvard correspondence appears very favorably. The Lowell Club, taking advantage of the existing rule that a challenge for the ball was to be followed fifteen days after by a game, and during the two weeks after the first game by two others; and knowing that, under the rule compelling amateurs to have severed their connections for one month previous with all other clubs than their last love before playing in a match game, the Harvard team would be weakened by the loss of several of its members who were playing on various amateur nines, the Lowell Club challenged Harvard for the ball in the middle of August, although they had been notified that Harvard would be unable to play till September. Harvard at once refused to play and handed over the ball to the Lowell Club. A long correspondence - very acrimonious on the part of the Lowells - took place in the Boston press. The Harvard side of the controversy was carried on with so much force and dignity by Mr. James Barr Ames, the captain, that the silver ball was melted down during the winter by its donor and the quarrel was thus settled.

The spring of '68 then opened, with all ambition apparently dead in base-ball circles, though the nine voted to challenge the Lowell and Yale to match games. It also proposed to take a summer tour, the expenses to be lightened by the Pudding and other theatricals which had for the first time offered their services in this direction.

The season was well along in May without any practice games, except with picked nines, when a challenge was received from the Yale University nine to play a match game on regatta day, both nines to be "selected from the academic departments alone." As this was the first time Yale had shown any inclination to play Harvard, the challenge was eagerly accepted, although it was really a Greek gift, the Yale nine having been meeting with great success during the spring. At this time I find the earliest mention on record of that time-honored lie: "Vassar Female College has a base-ball club and ten boat clubs!"

Yale men were very confident, and willing to offer odds on their nine. It had beaten the Princeton nine, which called itself "the Nassau Club," 30 to 23, and the Lowells, Harvard's old antagonists. Harvard had a try at these same "Nassaus," and came off first best by the narrow margin of one run (17 to 16). "The visitors seemed younger and lighter than the Harvard nine, . . but were decidedly active and spry," says the Advocate. Harvard's play was good and steady throughout in a "tremendously exciting game," won by a lucky hit in the last inning. Of the Harvard-Lowell series which had been determined on, only one game was played in the spring, Harvard winning, 39 to 26. These resolutions speak for themselves: -

"Whereas, The Harvard Base-ball Club, recognizing the crippled condition of the Lowell nine to-day, caused by the sickness of three of its members, did so very generously offer and insist upon postponing the match game, and desired to play a practice game instead.

Resolved, That the Lowell Club desire to express their sincere thanks to the Harvard Club for this polite and gentlemanly act, and assure them that it is fully appreciated."

These resolutions referred to the first match game which was to have been played between the clubs. Lowell won the practice game, which was stupid in the extreme, 26 to 24.

Two more practice games - with the "Trimountains," in which Harvard won, 23 to 11, and with the Lowells, who won 23 to 20 - and we met Yale at Worcester on the great regatta day. (In this last game it is a peculiar fact that every Harvard man was out three times!)

At Worcester the Harvard freshmen reversed the score of the year before, winning easily, 38 to 19; and the University game was scarcely more exciting but few spectators being present. In the third, Yale tied the score, but only for the moment when Harvard drew ahead and won. The nines were:

HARVARD. YALE.

Hunnewell, p., Hooker, p.,

Bush, c., Deming, c.,

Peabody, 1b., Buck, 1b.,

Ames, 2b. (captain), Selden, 2b.,

Smith, 3b., Cleveland, 3b.,