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April 6, 1981 | Chicago Grounds | Chicago, IL
Atlanta Kings vs. Chicago Fire


Let’s meet our teams:
The Atlanta Kings are often called the ‘old guard’ of the Action Baseball League after winning the first Grand Championship in the inaugural 1972 season. The Kings didn’t return to the post-season until losing in 5 games in the GCS to New York in 1976. Last season, the Monarchs had a record of 82-80 finishing nine games behind the Charlotte Colonels in the NBC Eastern Division. Fire fans remember well Atlanta’s last playoff appearance in 1977 as they were defeated in 5 by the Kings in that year’s DCS.

The Chicago Fire won the NBC Central Division last year by one game over the wild-card Detroit Dukes with a record of 87-75. They’ve appeared in the playoffs five times in 1972, 73, 77, 79, and 80. Last season the Flames won in six games versus the Charlotte Colonels only to be swept by their division rival Dukes in the CCS on their way to winning it all.


While Chicago leads the regular season series 55 – 53, Atlanta leads overall 57-56 by virtue of the aforementioned 4-1 drubbing of the Fire in the ’77 DCS.



Key players:
Atlanta – SP Garret Brown #11 needs 10 games to reach 500 games for his career.

Chicago – 3B Shane Cobb #18 needs 54 hits to reach 1500.


The Game:
Welcome baseball fans to the cozy little ballpark called Chicago Grounds. Seating just 18,500 fans, it’s the smallest venue in the league. On a chilly day in Chicago, the hometown Fire will take on their rivals from the eastern division Atlanta Kings. It’s opening day and the fans are buzzing about another title run.

Today’s pitching matchup is RHP P Bill Ybanez #19 [9-14 4.36] for the Kings and Chicago lefty LHP Heriberto Jimenez #37 [6-7 4.19].

Fans of the Chicago Fire who packed the stands for the home opener were rewarded with a Chicago win over the visiting Atlanta Kings, 8-6. 1B Sal Gamez #35 earned accolades for his performance going 3 for 4 with two runs scored and two batted in. SP Heriberto Jimenez #37 got the win, improving to 1-0. He worked 7.2 innings, giving up 6 runs on 9 hits, while striking out 7 and walking 8.

2B David Villarreal #55 dealt the Kings a blow in the bottom of the first. Batting with the bases loaded and Chicago leading 2-0, Villarreal, who finished 3rd in the ABC in doubles with 42 in 1976, hit a 1-2 changeup for a 2-run single. The Fire never trailed after that.


The final score was Atlanta Kings 6 – Chicago Fire 8.

Here are the totals for today's game:
For The visiting Atlanta Kings 6 runs on 10 hits, one error, and twelve men left on base.
For the Chicago Fire 8 runs on 13 hits, no errors. They left 10 men on base.

SP Bill Ybanez #19 gets the loss (0-1),
SP Heriberto Jimenez #37 gets the win (1-0), and
RP Matt Hyman #5 collected save number 1.

"The boys were really swinging the bats today," winning manager Matt Mead said.



Player of the Game: 1B Sal Gamez #35 CHI (NBC Cent)
Ballpark: Chicago Grounds
Weather: Clear skies (43 degrees), wind blowing in from left at 10 mph
Time: 2:57
Attendance: 17221


Real. Fictional. ⚾.

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