1868 Championship of the State

The Knoxville Holstons were the state champions of 1867. They were challenged to play a match for the championship of the State by the Phoenix BBC of Nashville.

Republican Banner (Nashville, Tenn.) - August 25, 1868

A few weeks later they headed west.

The Athens Post (Athens, Tenn.) - September 18, 1868

There is a wonderful four column write up in the Republican Banner of Nashville.  Each play described in detail for every inning.  Too large to reproduce here and probably would violate some spirit of copyright law issues.  I present just the box score.

Republican Banner (Nashville, Tenn.) - September 13, 1868

The Nashville team would come to Knoxville to face the Holstons again later that same month.

1888 Vanderbilt Field Day

In the spring of 1888, early May to be specific, athletes from various universities in Tennessee, came to Nashville to compete in various athletic and scholastic competitions.  Track and field events were scheduled, as well as am oratory contest.

The highlight would be the base ball games between the Vanderbilt and University of Tennessee clubs.

The Daily American - May 4, 1888

The first day started with field sports beginning at 2:15pm with the ball game to begin at 4 o'clock.

The Daily American - May 4, 1888

Vanderbilt was to be the victor in the first game, winning 9-6.

The Daily American - May 5, 1888

A second game was sceduled for the next day.  Vanderbilt, again, was victorious.  This time the score was 9-1.

The Daily American - May 6, 1888

These are the first recorded meetings of the two school's baseball teams.   The University of Tennessee says that their first official baseball team was formed in 1897.  I might argue, but not too strongly at this time.