The Island Setting
Blennerhassett Island, a narrow stretch of riverine land in the Ohio River, served as the venue for a rare 1908 baseball exhibition. Boats shuttled visitors from the mainland every ten minutes, and a round‑trip ticket cost just 60 cents, making the outing affordable for families from nearby towns.
The gathering attracted roughly 1,800 spectators, including a notable contingent from Marietta, Ohio, and Creston, Iowa, who arrived by steamboat to watch the matchup between the Brooklyn Superbas and the local Parkersburg professionals.
A Surprising Contest
Despite being considered amateurs, the Parkersburg nine put up a spirited fight, securing ten safe hits off Brooklyn pitcher Holmes. The Superbas, however, pulled ahead to win 8‑3, a result that surprised many given the visitors’ limited experience.
The game was marked by seven errors committed by Parkersburg, and a hidden Brooklyn player forced the locals to field ten men, adding a layer of intrigue to the contest. Compared with a prior encounter against the Cincinnati Reds, this matchup proved far more compelling for the audience.
The Superbas Legacy
The moniker “Superbas” had been attached to Brooklyn’s National League club from 1899 through 1910, a name that still surfaces in historical recollections. Local historian Bob Enoch later chronicled the event, preserving the details for future generations.
Although the Brooklyn team walked away with the victory, the Parkersburg side’s ten hits and the lively island atmosphere remain a testament to the unpredictable charm of early baseball exhibitions.