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 through the season.