The Putnam Club, of Williamsburgh, and the Excelsior Club, of South Brooklyn, played a match on Saturday last, on the ground of the Putnam Club, Lee Avenue, Williamsburg. The day—nothwithstanding the cold—was very fine for the players, who went to work with much spirit; and after about two hours’ play, the game was concluded, after each party had had three innings’ the victory remaining with the “Putnam’s,” who scored twenty-one runs to their opponents’ fifteen. The Umpire for “Putnam” was Mr. S. Godwin, of the Putnam Club. For “Excelsior,” Mr. Howell, of the Excelsior club. The Referee was Mr. Drummond, President of the Knickerbocker Club. The whole of the decisions given by these gentlemen were received with much satisfaction by both parties. The play of the “Putnam’s” had a decided advantage over their opponents : in particular, the striking of Mssrs. Gessner, Dakin, R. J. Godwin, Hoyt and Gibbs, was much praised ; Gessner making three homes in succession, one of them being helped by an overthrow. Dakin also made a home, and otherwise distinguished himself in striking ; their fielding also was superior to the “Excelsior’s,” which materially helped them to achieve a victory over their plucky opponents. The “Excelsior’s” fielding was rather loose, with the exception of Mr. Stagg (catcher), who filled his position admirably. The striking of Mssrs. Wells, Dean and Thomas, was also considered very good ; and although beaten on this occasion, the “Excelsior’s” need not fear attaining a position amongst base-ball Clubs, synonymous with the proud name they have adopted.

An important improvement in the fielding of this match, was shown by several fine catches being made on the fly, instead of the child’s play, “from the bound.” This reform is not only more manly, but adds very much to the quickness of perception, and nerve and determination, which makes up the necessary qualifications of a complete fieldsman, either at Base Ball or Cricket.

The “Putnam’s” then escorted their late antagonists, and a large number of other invited guests,—many of whom were members of other clubs—to Trenor’s Dancing Academy, South 8th street, Williamsburgh, where the whole party were entertained most hospitably, the members of the Putnam Club constituting themselves a “Vigilant Committee,” for the purpose of dispensing the refreshments they had so liberally provided for their guests. The tables having been cleared, the President of the “Putnam’s” Mr. Samuel Godwin, made a few brief remarks, in which, in eloquent terms, he alluded to the advantages they derived from the practice of out-door games, and the good effects they all experienced, both socially, and physically, by the practice of base ball. He also acknowledged the courtesy and hospitality the “Putnam’s” had received from the “Excelsior’s” at their late match on the “Excelsior’s” ground ; and concluded by proposing health and success to the President and members of the Excelsior Club, with three times and one more. This was responded to most enthusiastically.

After which, Mr. Andrews, the President of the Excelsiors, returned thanks on behalf of his club, and remarked, that they were short of three of their best players, but for which misfortune the complexion of affairs might be altered ; he begged to be allowed to intimate to the Putnams, but in the most friendly way, that next season, the Excelsiors intended to give the Putnams—what Paddy gave the drum—and with some further humorous remarks, concluded by proposing health and success, and calling upon the Excelsiors to give three times three and a tiger to the Putnams. Mr. Hoyt, of the “Putnam,” then proposed health and success to the pioneer of base ball clubs, “The Knickerbocker.” Mr. Wadsworth being loudly called upon, responded in a few eloquent remarks, and said, that although his club had not been successful the past season, he still hoped they would in the next season resume their former proud position. Mr. Sutton and the Union Club of Morrisiania was next toasted ; which was responded to in a neat speech by Mr. Sutton. The healf of Mr. Tallman, “Knickerbocker,” being proposed and raptuously received, was responded to by Mr. T. in a highly humorous vein of serio-comic solemnity, who concluded at the request of the President of the Putnams, by singing the following Base Ball song, which was received with great applause :

SONG.

To the air of the old Scotch Song of  “Here’s a health to fair Scotland, the
land of the brave.”

Here’s a health to our Base Ball, and honor and fame,
    For ’tis manly and hearty and free :
Oh long may it flourish, our National Game—
    Here’s a health, good old base ball to thee.

To the “Putnams” we’ll drain off a bumper to-night;
    To them and their time-honored name ;
May the “Eagles” still soar with unwavering flight,
    And point out the pathway to fame.
Chorus—Here’s a health, &c.

May success ever wait on “Columbia’s” cause,
    “Continentals” ne’er meet with defeat ;
“Excelsior” our motto—with warmest applause
    The “Union” and “Empire” we’ll greet.
Chorus—Here’s a health, &c.

And should any club by their cunning or trick,
    Dishonor the game that it plays ;
Let them take my advice and go to “Old Knick,”
    And there learn to better their ways.
Chorus—Here’s a health, &c.

The President then proposed the health of the umpires, and Mr. Drummond, the referee ; who, being called upon, responded in a very happy manner, saying, that from the warm response the toast had met with at the hands of the Excelsiors, he presumed that his decisions, on this occasion at least, had satisfied all parties. Mr. Drummond concluded by proposing “Prosperity to the season of 1857 ; and may those clubs which play a fair game be most successful.”

The President here apologised for having neglected, until then, proposing a toast to which, he was sure, they wall all respond with pleasure. He gave “The Press;” and called for a response from their invited guests, the representatives from the Sunday Mercury and The Spirit of the Times. (Loud cries of “Porter’s Spirit.”) The President observed, he ought to have said “Porter’s Spirit.”

Our deputy—for we were unable to be present in person—being loudly called upon, declined in favor of our contemporary the Sunday Mercury.

A gentlemen who represented the Sunday Mercury returned thanks, and said that that paper deserved patronage for the space it devoted to base ball.

“Porter’s Spirit” being still called upon, our deputy apologised for this his first appearance in connection with base ball. The fact was, that being a cricketer, he had had but little taste for base ball ; he had a son who was also a pretty good cricketer, but having found out that the young dog had partially deserted cricket and had taken to base ball, and had engaged to play in a recent match between the “Young Americans” and “Enterprize” (partial applause), he had determined to withdraw him from base ball, after allowing him to complete the engagement he had smuggled himself into. With that view, and with some curiosity to see the game played, he went on the ground, and remained till he had seen enough to convince him that his son was some pumpkins not only at cricket, but also, in the opinion of the Judge and Referee, at base ball too ; and from what he had seen of the game, he must candidly acknowledge that he had withdrawn his opposition to his son’s playing at it, and that he intended to join a base ball club himself—for he was satisfied of one thing, and that was, that in base ball everyone had a fair and equal chance to share in th game, yet still he was of the opinion that base ball clubs might very well combine the practice of cricket with that of base ball, so as to be able in a short time to play either game, whenever it was desirable. (Applause.) He desired to bear testimony to the valuable assistance base ball received from the reports in the Sunday Mercury, but would remind them that it was only lately that such was the case, as, during the life of the late Mr. Samuel Nicholls, the Mercury was the special organ of cricket. He further stated, that he believed he was warranted in saying that “Porter’s Spirit” might be relied on for doing its part towards furthering the cause of out-door athletic exercises, by publishing reports on base ball as well as cricket or other pastimes, provided the secretaries of clubs would furnish communications of events to come, or which may have come off. [Our deputy was right there.]

Mr. Drummond said, that as of the name of the late Mr. Nicholls had been mentioned, he would state that Mr. Nicholls had been a member of his club, and had then stated, that where three had a fair chance to play cricket, twenty had a chance to play ball.

After an hour or two passed in a very convivial and pleasant manner, not soon to be forgot by the guests of the “Putnam’s,” the whole party adjourned about 8 o’clock, when the Putnam’s escorted their guests to the cars, and accompanied them to Brooklyn, where, after a further interchange of civilities, all parties separated, highly pleased with their day’s entertainment and with each other.

Score.—Putnam—Runs : T. S. Darkin (pitcher) 3 ; G. E. Hoyt, (field) 3 ; B. Gessner, field, 3 ; J. W. Smith (field) 2 ; A. E. Burr (catcher) 2 ; J. E. Davidson, jr. (first base), 1 ; R. J. Godwin (second base), 2 ; J. T. Morrell (field), 2 ; A. E. Gibbs (third base), 3. Total, 21.

Score.—Excelsior—Runs : Wells (second base), 1 ; Stagg (catcher), 1 ; Chadwick (pitcher), 1 ; Congdon (first base), 2 ; Rogers (third base), 3 ; Andrews (field), 2 ; Ethridge (field), 2 ; Dean (field), 1 ; Thomas (field), 2. Total, 15.

P. S.—Cricket and Base ball.—We shall give, hereafter, some suggestions for the improvement of the rules of Base Ball, and also in regard to its connection with Cricket, and its practice during the ensuing winter.