Mystery sporting event baffles rural northern Ohio community

The installation of a roadside scoreboard in rural northern Ohio has generated confusion among area residents.

Manually-operated scoreboards are rare these days, especially ones that pop up along the side of the road next to a cornfield.

The metal structure featuring a green background with white lettering was implanted a few miles north of the small village of Attica. Area residents have only spotted it in one location, alongside State Route 162 near the intersection of State Route 4.

It appears to represent a sporting event in which Tiffin is defeating – or has defeated – Republic 14-8. But due to its elementary design and limited information, residents cannot figure out what sport was being played or whether it is still ongoing.

“I’ve never seen a scoreboard that doesn’t at least tell you how much time is left or what inning, quarter or period you’re in,” said Gerald Friess, a nearby farmer who pulled over in wonderment. “Plus, most scoreboards these days are electronic.”

Residents quickly ruled out soccer, not because of the abnormally high score but rather because “nobody plays soccer around here." Golf also seemed unlikely, although it would be the only sport in which Republic was winning.

Football might be conceivable, or perhaps a baseball game with weak pitching. “I think there’s something creepy going on,” said Jay Foremand, who lives about a mile away. “The score is posted next to a cornfield. Maybe it’s a Field of Dreams type of situation and ghosts are playing baseball in a stadium shielded by the cornstalks.”

Foremand placed his index finger over his pursed lips, walked alongside the field and cupped his other hand around his ear, wondering if he’d hear a wooden bat hitting a ball. No luck.

Scene from the 1989 film, Field of Dreams, in which the ghosts of players past emerge from the cornfield, a sight that anyone can agree would be creepy if it were to happen in real life.

Patty Smith, a Republic resident, thought whoever installed the scoreboard was exhibiting poor sportsmanship. “It’s fine for Tiffin to celebrate a win, but why do they need to rub it in our face? Their town is so much bigger than ours. Of course they’d be able to find more athletes to choose from. You know what, win or lose, I’m still proud of our team. I’m sure they gave it their best effort.”

With Tiffin listed second and therefore presumably the home team, Battle Line called various athletes and coaches throughout the area. No one had any knowledge of a sport being played between the two towns, separated by about six miles.

So, for now, the competition remains a mystery.

At press time, Foremand was hiding just inside the cornfield, waiting for the scorekeeper to come back around to adjust the numbers. After three unsuccessful days, he was beginning to feel discouraged and acknowledged that the game may have, in fact, gone final.

Originally published August 2022.