Ball Nine, Take Your Base: Gunsmoke (August 2, 1959)

“Ball Nine, Take Your Base” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast August 2, 1959. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

An Eastern All-Star professional baseball team arrives in Dodge City for an exhibition game against the local team. Marshal Dillon worries that the visiting players and overeager local fans could spark trouble, while Doc Adams remains optimistic about the friendly competition. When tensions flare at the Long Branch between a hothead named Williams and the visiting team's manager, Dillon must work to keep the peace before the big game.

Dodge City, with scenes at Doc's office, the Long Branch saloon, and preparation for a baseball game

Characters: Marshal Matt Dillon, Doc Adams, Chester, Arthur Minkers, Lindstrom, Jeff, Sif Williams, Granville (manager and pitcher of the All-Stars)

Listen for: The clash between Matt's concerns about crowd violence and Doc's enthusiasm for the game; the confrontation between local hothead Sif Williams and the visiting baseball manager over betting.

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.