You’d a had to be there to experience the full drama of the confrontation, and several hundreds fans flocked to the East Side Park to witness the most famous softball game to ever be arranged down at the low end of Muskingum waterway.  Of course, it don’t rain all that often in Ector County, but when it does that field stands a two foot rise—or even after a heavy dew.

The weather was clear that fateful day in the mid 60’s howsomever, and a record number of souls assembled to witness the confrontation.  Eddie Feigner, undisputed King of softball launches brought his Court to town to take on the Odessa Merchants.  The King and his Court is a four-man team that had traveled the world and in their seventeenth year they boasted a 1,782–170 won–loss record in their 168 game per year season.  Feigner pitched all the games and had 3,800 strikeouts to his credit.  His record included 134 perfect games, 413 no hit–no run and 705 shutouts.  The King had been bested around 200 times in his 13 year career.

The Odessa Merchants played the cream of the Texas teams, and they had compiled an 8–0 mark on their drive toward the National Championship when the King and his Court hit town.  Neither team came to the Muskingum Park to lose.

N.E. Stevens had won three games for the Merchants on that 8–0 march to glory.  He had struck out 66 men crafting his wins and had not issued a single base on balls in that performance.  As help for Stevens, the Merchants had a heavy hitting team who featured a lusty batting average of 342.  The stands fell silent as introductions of the gladiators were made.  Kinda like Gary Cooper’s “High Noon” flick.

The King’s team consisted of catcher Meade Kinser, first baseman Jerry Jones and shortstop Mike Mellicke.

The Merchants had Jack Pasco at 3rd base, W.C. Dixon at center field, Don White in left field, Marion McCutcheon at short stop, Abe Wadley at second, Charlie Richeson on first, Dale Williams at right field, with John White as catcher.  N.E. Stevens was pitcher, and a reserve or two were in the dugout as ready reserves.

Two deviations from the standard rules were imposed for the game.  Bunts and base stealing were not allowed, in order to level the playing field.

Feigner pitched from the mound of course, but he can put that softball across the plate at 104 MPH from the mound, second base and from far center field.  My friend Don White told me it was like trying to hit an aspirin.  He also pitches with a blindfold most every game, and that unnerving sight prompted Don White to step out of the box.

“What’s the problem here?” the umpire asked.

“Is he gonna pitch to me with that blindfold on?”  Don raised his voice an octave.

“”Yep!” was the answer.

“Well I want one too!” Don stated.

“You want a what?”

“I want a blindfold to wear,” Don answered.  “I want to keep the game even.”

The Merchants led the Court by 3-2 in the 7th inning.  A single, a hit batsman, another single, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly allowed the Court to eke out two runs and they won the game by a 4-3 count.

Feigner struck out 16 batters, Stevens struck out 13.  Gene Underwood from Gorman got a hit, as did N.E. Stevens, and a run by Don White accounted for the Merchants’ tally.

And, in case you’re wondering, Don was not allowed a blindfold.  He kept his eyes closed.  I don’t recall whether he told me that, or I just made it up.

It was a match to behold.

Let me hear from you.

My phone number is 254-893-5063.

My postal address is 333 W. Ayers, De Leon TX 76444.

You can e-mail me at chupp@charleschupp.com.

By Charles Chupp, Copyright ©2008 Charles Chupp