Description
The success of the 1923 Senior team from Middleton was built on a fine baseball foundation. In 1919, Middleton had captured the Valley League crown and in 1921 they were Provincial finalists. Thus, the stage was set for the achievement of the 1923 team.
In Section A of the eight team Valley League, Middleton, although tied with the import laden Kentville team for first place, advanced to the Championships with their 4-3 record over Kentville. The team then swept Bear River in two games.
Advancing along the playoff trail, Middleton now met the always powerful Liverpool team defeating them two games to one. In the finals they would now face the perennial baseball powerhouse Springhill Fencebusters, the 1922 champs.
The first two games of the finals were set for Middleton. Baseball fever gripped the “Heart of the Valley” town with a reported crowd of 2400 rabid fans on hand for game two. Middleton, behind the pitching of Vaughn “Fireballer” Reagh, swept both home games. In Springhill, they dropped game 3 but captured the Nova Scotia Senior Baseball Championship the next day, September 26, 1923. It was Reagh’s twenty-first birthday.
Middleton’s record for the year was 28 wins, 10 losses and 1 tie, some of those wins against strong Halifax and Saint John teams and the touring Boston Giants. Little wonder that most businesses closed for “double header” day in Middleton. This team will be sure to live long in the annals of Middleton baseball lore.
