They played 23 innings

On June 13, 1919 the Chattanooga Lookouts and the Atlanta Crackers of the Southern Association played a 23 inning game at Andrews Field in Chattanooga, Tenneesee. Ask todays sports fan to guess how long this game lasted they might guess 5, 6 or even 7 hours. This game was completed in 3 hours and 30 minutes, when it was called a 2-2 tie.

How in the world did they play 23 innings in 3 1/2 hours? First back then games were not on TV or even radio at that. One of the big keys was that all 18 starters including Crackers pitcher Raymond Roberts and Lookouts pitcher Rube Marshall finished the game. It is obvious that neither manager needed to make too many trips to the pitchers mound if they did not make any pitching changes. Marshall had 10 strikeouts and 0 walks. Roberts had 4 strikeouts, 4 walks and 1 wild pitch. 14 strikeouts and 4 walks in an entire 23 inning game, those hitters must have come to plate to swing and make contact. Both clubs had 16 hits. Both leftfielders, Lookouts Guy Lacy and Crackers Fritz Bratchi went 0 for 9.

One of the most interesting things about this game was the fact that the next day, the Crackers exploded for a 15-1 win over the Lookouts. 17 of the 23 members of the Crackers including Roberts and Bratchi would see the majors in their careers, while 8 of the 18 members of the Lookouts would see the majors. Bratchi ended up playing for both clubs during the season, one of three players to do so. The Crackers went on to win the pennant, while the Lookouts finished the year in 6th place among the eight league clubs.

Tomorrow we look at a game from the National Leagues first season.