e by the way that is hardly as
complete as the tables of these latter days:

Players. Games Avg base hits Avg put out Avg assisted
Anson, 3d b 25 1.64 2.27 3.66
Mack, 1st b 25 1.20 11. 0.44
Addy, 2d b 25 1.20 2.72 3.33
Fisher, p 25 1.20 1.16 1.88
Stires, r f 25 1.20 1.27 0.33
Hastings, c 25 1.12 3.33 0.83
Ham, l f 25 1.00 1.50 0.55
Bird, c f 25 1.00 1.66 0.11
Fulmer, s s 16 1.00 2.35 3.57

These averages, in my estimation, are hardly to be relied upon, as
changes in the personnel of the team were often made without due notice
being given, while the system of scoring was faulty and not near so
perfect as at the present writing. This was not the fault of their
compiler, however who was obliged to take the figures given him by the
club scorer, a man more or less incompetent, as the case might be.

Before the regular season began my time at Rockford was mostly spent in
practice, so that I was in fairly good shape when the day arrived for me
to make my professional debut on the diamond. My first game was played
on the home grounds the Rockford team having for its opponent the Forest
City Club of Cleveland, Ohio, a fairly strong organization and one that
that season finished fourth on the list for championship honors, the
Athletics of Philadelphia carrying off the prize.

I had looked forward to this game with fear and misgivings, and my
feelings were by no means improved when I was informed that owing to the
non-arrival of Scott Hastings, the regular catcher, I was expected to
fill that responsible position, one to which I was a comparative
stranger. There was nothing to do but to make the best of the situation,
however, and this I did, though I can truthfully say that for the first
five innings I was as nervous as a kitten.

We were beaten that day by a score of 12 to 4, and though I had a few
passed balls to my credit, yet on the whole I believe that, everything
considered, I played a fairly good game; at least I have been told so by
those who were in a better position to judge than I was.

With that first game my nervousness all passed away, and I settled down
to play a steady game, which I did all thr