A Base Ball Benefit at Goodwill Park

When all was said and done, the final score was 28-24. But that was hardly the point.

There was a lot of fun to be had for base ball fans as the Holliston's own Mudville Base Ball Club played a team comprised of members of the Relay for Life teams Ruby Slippers and Flying Monkeys in an old-school rules exhibition game Sunday afternoon at .

The Ruby Slippers/Flying Monkeys team claimed a four-run win, but the event's true purpose was to raise money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, which will be held .

The festivities began at 1 p.m. with the game played under the Massachusetts Rules of 1858. What is the difference between regular baseball and old-school rules, you ask?

Even as the event was going on, volunteer Sandy Parnell wasn’t too sure.

“I wish I knew all the rules, it’s kind of a mixture of baseball and stickball and as you watch the game you kind of pick up the rules," said Parnell. "Basically, the bases apparently move and as long as you take the base with you, you’re pretty good.”

Along with fellow volunteer Denise Landry-Horowitz, Parnell has been supporting the American Cancer Society for over a decade.

“We’ve been a part of Relay for Life for a long time," Landry-Horowitz. "The American Cancer Society supports the survivors of cancer, they just have amazing contributions to research, so they just have so many great facets as an organization, which do a lot of good for the world.”

The event was a huge success as far as fundraising, as many spectators paid more than the $5 donation throughout the day. The exhibition itself was competitive and laid-back, as the Ruby Slippers/Flying Monkeys went on to sneak by for the win.

After the game, Mudville manager Carl "Boss" Damigella was in high spirits despite the loss.

“My guys haven’t played as competitive as they could, but we’re all sympathetic to the cause so it’s all right. We were happy to take part in this. Relay for Life is a great foundation, and today has been a great day.”

After the game was finished, the two teams shook hands and then representatives from both sides talked about the American Cancer Society.

“First of all we’d like to thank the Ruby Slippers for a great game," said Mudville's John "Choo-Choo" Shanahan. "It's our pleasure to help out with today’s festivities, we had a lot of fun. We’d also like to thank everyone for coming out.”

After the speeches, the two teams got together to take some group pictures while still in uniform. Meanwhile, event organizer and cancer survivor Linda Ahronian got caught up in the excitement of the day.

“I haven’t even counted the money because I’m having too much fun," said Ahronian. "I’ve been a part of Relay for Life for five years now. We’ve got two teams now with 28 people and we’re doing really well with out fundraising.”

Finally, after a full day of laughter and friendly competition, the two teams departed with new memories etched in their minds. As for the future, local events contributing to the American Cancer Society have been scheduled and will continue supporting the cause.