References for articles submitted to the Sacandaga Express come from everywhere: history books, letters, memories of those who took the time to either write them down or to relate them and clippings from newspapers. In finding an old scrapbook; many original clippings were saved by an unknown individual regarding area outings in Sacandaga Park. Newspaper clippings, although sometimes embellished , maybe a typo, or someone’s name spelled wrong here or there provide for the most part detailed accounts to help form a picture of what events took place and the overall enjoyment of the foray.

This reference will be submitted for the next two weeks.:
August 9th 1912: Merchant’s pleased over day’s outing Excursion to Sacandaga Park – Big Success -Hundreds Enjoy Attractions Afforded -Complimented railroad management upon the manner in which the crowd was handled .

Amsterdam Day at Sacandaga Park Thursday was a splendid success. Thanks to the Merchant Association and the F J and G Railroad Company. Everyone in the over 1800 participants a good time; or at least the ought have.

Anybody who didn’t enjoy themselves in the committee will he please rise in his seat. Nobody? There is one man in the far back row. Your name is what sir? Oh yes, manager of the policeman’s baseball nine.
His pleasure was dampened in the early part of the game.

The general features of the day were: First – perfect weather being neither too warm or too cold Second the admirable way in which the railroad company under direct supervision of Robert M. Colt general passenger manager, and Supt. Nellis handled the crowd; Third the smoothness of the plans of the various committees of the Merchants. Assoc. for the entertainment and sport was carried out.

The special feature of the day was eight inning baseball game between the police and the Merchants Assoc. won by the latter after an exciting verbal encounter.

As a sub special feature might be mentioned Schwartzs now famous “spatter ball” which manager and Officer Maurice Harrinigan of Harrigans Stop on West Main St (A’dam) tried to plaster and was plastered for his effort.

Sleuths Hartigan and Bergen taking up the scent decided from the spattered remains on the policeman face that a white washed orange of questionable age had been submitted for the Spaulding ball.
Jim O’Connell thought the joke was a good one and said that “White or green is a better color for an orange than it’s present tint”

The idea of Amsterdam day a day on which all of the people of the city would get together for a good time originated with the Merchants Assoc.

Several weeks ago the members entered negotiations with the railroad company and generous concessions by the company made the outing appealing. Committees were appointed and for weeks men have been giving their time and energy.

Wednesday night there was some uncertainty as to the weather outlook but the day proved ideal and the first Amsterdam Day was a success and worthy of repetition.

The railroad company more than met all it’s obligations. At no time en route was it necessary for any of the excursionists to stand as ample accommodations were afforded both coming and going to give everyone a seat. Mr. Colt and Mr. Nellis took charge of the cars in this city and just as soon as a car was filled it’s doors were closed and another one brought on. Connecting with the 9:55 train from the park were 10 electric cars to bring the crowds home to this city and again the accommodations were ample.

Most of the excursionists left the city in the morning but it wasn’t until afternoon that the sports got underway.
There was a program of six athletic events conducted by Supervisor of Playgrounds James w. Payne. The judges were Charles D Wright, City Treasurer John V Smealle and Frank J Swan The evnts were won as follows:
Sack race for boys under 15 E Carbonelli 1st; T Griffin 2nd; W griffin 3rd
Three legged race open to all: T Griffin and F Finnan 1st: W Griffin and J Mahoney 2nd
Mixed clothing race: boys under 15: E Carbonelli 1st F Casey 2nd and W Griffin 3rd
Burden Race; open to all W Landsburg 1st; R Brown 2nd E right 3rd
Race around the track: open to all: W Landsburg 1st R Brown 2nd E Wright 3rd.
After three events Jacob Mann’s Boy Scout company the Rough Riders, gave an exhibition drill and sham battle. This afforded lots of fun for the spectators and also for the youngsters who are passing a few days in the park in the enjoyment of camp life.

The ball game followed and it was filled with interesting plays and incidents. The Hospital Aid Society had charge of the refreshment booth in the park on Sport Island and large revenue was reaped in it’s source.
The dancing pavilion attracted hundreds of couples during the afternoon and evening and Minch’s orchestra gave zest and enthusiasm to the dancers. Maney’s band played during the baseball game and headed the ball players and merchants through the main streets of Gloversville that morning. Chief of Police Smith of Gloversville with ten men met the police and headed the parade.

The Rustic Theatre, bathing, burros, and numerous other pleasures afforded by park management took up the time of fun seekers, Stanton Bogaski of The Pines entertained the members of the band and the two baseball nines at dinner.

It is estimated at present that each of the local hospitals Amsterdam and St Mary’s will receive $200.00 though the exact amount is not given at the time. The amount may be considerably over this sum.
The committee consisted of the following: Entertainment Frank J Swan:, John V Smealle, Carl Mark, Charles D Wright, and Fred Ascoff. Advertising: C.A W Platt E O Bartlett, Fred Harrington, George W Goetz Tickets: Issac Mark, PJ Donnelly, John Guiffre, George Smith and NB Smith
Result of the Ball Game

It looked as though Manager Harrigans team would walk away with the ball game against the merchants. The coppers had the game safely sewn up until the fifth inning. With two men out an easy ball was hit to Harry Jeffs in the pitchers box. He threw low to Taberski at first and the runner continued to second. Four runs came in after this.

Jeffs pitched a fine ball although not quite as steady as when he performed against the mail clerks. However he did well enough to win and would surely have done this had not a total of fourteen errors been chalked up behind him.

It was the same old story. The coppers fell down in pinches. In the eighth inning after a double play had been made by them, with a man on third, a bounder was sent down to Maroney at second. He ”booted” the ball and it rolled to Schoeffler at short. He would have got the man at first had he not thrown over Taberskis head and the merchants scored the winning run.

Schoeffler played a great game at short and it was regretted he made two bad throws. It must be taken into consideration that there are no expert throwers on the coppers team and it is mainly due to this reason: Harrigans men have lost the to games they played they have played this season.

Shoeffler made up for his misplays at the bat and if some of the team members did as well their errors may have been overlooked. Tommy Humler at third was an tire form for the coppers. He nt only swatted the ball hard, but he fielded in good shape. Some of his throws to first being in Gilt edged order.

Davis caught a good game behind the bat and McConnell gobbled up everything that came his way in left field. It was a case of too much confidence and hard luck combined which made the loss for the copper.
A Young man named Van Arnam was the great white hope who save the bacon of the merchants. He went in center field in place of Gregar who wanted to retire early in the game.

Manager Harrigan entered a strenuous objection against Van Arnums playing. There was much haggling where “mouthy” players on both sides took part. And it looked at one time the game would end right there.
The merchants would not play unless Van Arnam went out and Manager Harrigan said that he would retire from the contest and let it be finished with 8 men on each side. Finally it was all settled and the chewing went for naught. Van Arnam went out in field position. Circumstances proved Officer Harrigan right in kicking on Van Arnam; for he brought about the downfall of the coppers.

After two men retired in the 7th inning and with the policemen still one run to the good, Boswell hit safe to center. He managed to get to third base after stealing second and when Davis dropped a pitched ball. Van Arnum swatted a single between third and short and brought the tying run in and the only one made by the merchants that inning.

Schwartzman a trifle unsteady in the box for the merchants and he was hit hard. Thirteen safe drives were made of his delivery three more than the merchants garnered off Jeffs. He was abley supported at the bat by “Doc”Hall .

Willie Sheridan did not play his usual brilliant game at second allowing two roller to get away from him. Johnson at short and Bebb at third featured for the merchants, while John Best was a tower of strength at first base. It was the infield that played at the major portion of the game for the merchants. The umpire wore a large size constable badge pinned on the left suspender, was pressed into service at the very last moment. Of course it must be presumed his “umphs’ acted according to his very best judgment but that was very bad.
Some of his decision bordered on extremely humorous, the coppers getting son\me of the worst of the deal. It is all over anyway and it is the second time this season the merchants defeated the copper. Which makes the players on the former team real jubilant.

by Lorraine Decker