Vintage Base Ball At The Old Stone House: Gothams Take Two From Flemington

First, welcome back to the Borough of Kings gentlemen, and thank you for another fine display.  It was good seeing you all once again, healthy and spry.  And thank you Kim, for your efforts in  making the day possible yet again.

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Gotham Base Ball Club of New York: Ghosts of 1864 Come Back To Brooklyn; Sweep Pair From Flemington Neshanock Base Ball Club.

The ghosts of 19th Century Base Ball returned to the Old Stone House in Brooklyn today.  New York City's own Gotham Base Ball Club hosted the Flemington Neshanock Base Ball Club Saturday for two matches at the adjoining historic Washington Park ball field.

The Gothams entered their final series of the 2013 season looking to improve upon their (20-20) .500 record, while Flemington's season winds down later this month.  In speaking with Mr. "Brooklyn" Shaw of the Neshanocks before the day's action, he gleamed over the team's 22-19 record this season, as they've struggled in recent years to stay above the .500 mark.  Always the gentleman, he had nothing but complimentary words for his noticeably younger opponents.

Unfortunately for the visitors from New Jersey, and to the delight of Gotham, the home team did not disappoint, taking both contests from the Neshanock club.  The day's first match was a markedly one-sided affair, while the second session was a far closer matter.

 

THUMBS (l.) of Flemington and BUGS (r.) of the Gothams

commence the day's activities with the pre-match Bat-Toss.

 

 

 

The Flemington Neshanock scorebook is an exact (and fascinating) replica of Henry Chadwick's original ledger, reproduced with permission of course.  Mr. Chadwick is considered to be one of the "Fathers of Baseball" - a sportswriter, baseball's first historian, first statistician, creator of the boxscore and first scoring system.  He rests in Brooklyn's landmark Green Wood Cemetery.  His head stone is a pillar artfully decorated with base ball equipment of the period, while the plot itself outlines a base ball diamond, replete with stone bases.

 

 

 

Flemington Neshanock Baseball Club

 

 

 

Bugs (top) was today's pitcher for New York.  After taking his warm-ups, Peaches (bottom left) of the Neshanock was the first striker to oppose him.  Peaches leaves his bat at the feet of Brooklyn and Gotham catcher Scratch (bottom right), as they admire his handy work.

 

 

 

The Gothams jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.  Their shortstop, Lightning, had himself a rather exceptional afternoon, pacing the Gothams throughout.  Pictured below, he led-off New York's first at-bat with a well struck base hit to left.  He went on to thieve both second and third base.

 

 

Scratch (below left) then stepped in,

and delivered Lightning (below right) from third with the afternoon's first run.

 

 

The Gothams went on to win the first contest by a lopsided 14-5 final score.

 

In between games, Lightning and Brooklyn shared time

discussing the myth of Abner Doubleday.

 

The second match was a more tightly contested affair, although, it did not pass without controversy.  However, not enough so that both teams could not come together and discuss matters like gentlemen.

 

 

 

Flemington tried mounting one last comeback against the Gothams, however, Bugs was especially sharp this day, hurling a 4-0 white washing of the visitors.  He turned in a manly effort, pitching in excess of fifteen innings over the two matches.

 

 

 

The Neshanock Base Ball Club still gets to leave town, albeit only one game over the .500 mark.  Even Brooklyn admitted, when the Gothams have the skilled Scratch, and the youthful Collector, Lightning, and few others on the field, they're pretty hard to beat.

 

Speaking of which, Wickets was a glaring Gothams no-show this afternoon.  Word is New York's regular shortstop caught a case of the flu - as in he flew to the Dominican Republic!  Very poor!  Otherwise, his whereabouts are somewhat unknown.  Attempts to call him have failed - just like he failed his team today.  It is wildly being suspected he's either in cahoots with Charlie Sheen to take over the world, or he malingered himself into an early vacation.  If and when Wickets returns, he will definitely have a lot of 'splaining to do!  Or maybe, he should stay there, as the team's kangaroo court could very well crash down upon him like the Spanish Inquisition.

 

Circling back to Flemington, their next contest will be played down in Maryland against the Elkton Eclipse.  They will then wrap up their season in New Jersey against the Hoboken Nine. 

 

With today's sweep, the Gothams improved their record, and end their regular season with a 22-20 mark..., or so they think.  After all, this is 1860's record keeping we're talking about.   All things considered, Bugs believes the 2013 season was a very positive campaign.  He also expressed hope the club can continue playing home games on Governor's Island, and travel out to Gettysburg next season.

 

 

The final

Huzzah!  Huzzah!  Huzzah!

 

 

 

 

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Did You Know?

Before the modern era of concussions, there was what they call Catcher's Head.

Numerous catchers ended up in mental asylums after being struck in the head by too many bats, baseballs, and the like.  Eventually, more observant minds started making the correlation regarding head injuries.  Obviously, catchers were the first players to use gloves.  The standard catchers mask, shin guards and chest protector would soon follow.

 

 

 

Gotham Base Ball Club of New York

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

Mike.BTB

Vintage Base Ball at Old Stone House; The Day That Was

From the desk of:   BEND IT LIKE CREIGHTON
Click on all pictures to enlarge.

Vintage Base Ball from the Old Stone House in Brooklyn:

FLEMINGTON WINS THE DAY!

Vintage Base Ball was center stage this past Sunday at Washington Park as part of a greater 19th Century style exhibition hosted by the historic Old Stone House in Brooklyn.

NYC's vintage home team, the Gothams Base Ball Club of New York, and the Flemington Neshanock Base Ball Club from New Jersey returned to the Borough of Kings, and this time were accompanied by the Capitals Base Ball Club of Columbus, who travelled from Ohio to the Empire State for a weekend of round robin competition.

The Capitals opened their 2012 season at the historic Smithtown Grounds in Long Island this past Saturday against the Brooklyn Atlantics Base Ball Club, where they dropped a pair of matches to the defending Mid-Atlantic champs.  Afterwards, it was back to their carriages for the trip into Brooklyn.

Columbus club member, Bandit, expressed his displeasure with Saturday's inauspicious start to the team's season against the ABBC.  After witnessing their craftsmanship this past Sunday, I'd say his dismay was justified, for the Capital Base Ball Club came within one superior throw by Flemington's left fielder of sweeping the day.  They are very capable competitors indeed.

 

THE CAPITALS BASE BALL CLUB of COLUMBUS, OHIO

Front Row; left to right, I met "Too Far" Nick, "One Hand" Kevin, and "Bandit" Michael

In the opening game of the day, the Gothams suffered a humbling defeat to the club from Ohio.  Columbus put on a fine display in their first victory, coming away with a well earned reward for a long journey east.  The Big Apple's home team was undone in this contest by a count of twenty-three aces to six.

 

In Columbus' second game against the Flemington Neshanock BBC, the Capitals came roaring back to tie the match at eight aces all, heading into the final frame.  Flemington scored one time in the top of the ninth to make it a 9-8 game.  Columbus tried mounting yet another comeback and would have tied the game if not for a brilliant throw from Flemington's left fielder to nail the tying ace at home.  And only a perfect throw would have sufficed.  As a spectator, it was an exciting way to end the match.  Perhaps for the Capitals, not so much.  However, their resolve and gamesmanship will never come into question here in Brooklyn.

As the clubs played, Bandit's wife, a former player herself, was gracious enough to talk Capitals Base Ball with me.  Wickets of the Gothams, already informed me a former member of the Gothams moved to Ohio and founded the Capitals Base Ball Club back in 1998.  Bandit's better half confirmed that and expanded the story for me.  It was a gentleman named Charlie who moved to Ohio and founded the team.  He went by the nickname of LEFTY, but has since retired from the game.  He now devotes his time to the company he started out of his garage.  For Lefty also happens to be the founder of the Phoenix Bats Company, hailing out of Plain City, Ohio.

 

It was also my good pleasure to meet TOO FAR and ONE HAND.  Too Far is pictured (left) manning his position at third base.  To the Capitals Base Ball Club, in truth, it was a pleasure to meet you all.  I hope you enjoyed the rest of your stay in our little village, and all arrived back home safely.  May we meet again and thank you for travelling and participating in a fine day of Vintage Base Ball in Brooklyn.

 

Game One Final:

Columbus  23

New York    6

GAME TWO FINAL:

Columbus    8

Flemington  9

In local matters, Wickets and the Gotham Club have had better days.  They were lacking a few regular players.  Their labor shortage cost them, as the Gothams earned no victories Sunday.  The outcome of their first contest against the Capitals was one they might rather forget.  That is, until they went down in similar fashion to the Club from Flemington.  Losers of two and with spirits down, Bugs stayed positive and expressed excitement regarding the Gothams' home opener on historic Governors Island this coming weekend.  Governors Island and Vintage Base Ball seem like a perfect fit.  The backdrop of the NYC skyline should be spectacular.

...And for their efforts this past Sunday, that's how the Flemington Neshanock Base Ball Club's play should be characterized - Spectacular - as in the spectacular throw Neshanock left fielder PEACHES unleashed towards home plate from back near the Old Stone House in deep left, to thwart Columbus' would be tying ace in the bottom of the ninth inning and thereby preserving Flemington's first victory Sunday.  It was also their second consecutive win of the season.  In the week prior at the NY/NJ Cup, they gained their first win of the season over the Manetto Hill Surprise BBC.

Peaches prepares to strike Bugs' incoming pitch.

With a mighty swing, he delivered a souvenir upon the Old Stone House festivities

beyond left field.

 

In the final match to be played Sunday afternoon, Flemington went on to win their third straight game of the season; this time over the local Gothams.  MELKY was the winning hurler against New York.  Melky was a formidable striker as well, batting 4 for 5 against Bugs and the Gothams.  As mentioned, there was superlative play in left from Peaches.  But Illinois over at first base demonstrated soft and sure hands all day as well.  In all, the Neshanock Club won the day in convincing fashion indeed.

Sunday's Neshanock double-threat player, Melky, glares at Wickets after the Gotham shortstop plated one of the few aces scored against Flemington's hurler in Game Three.

First Baseman - "Illinois" - Flemington BBC

Flemington's official scorekeeper is John "Mr. New Jersey" Zinn.  In his possession is the Neshanock score book.  It is THE score book.  Contained there-in, is a replica of the original score ledger invented by Henry Chadwick, who is known as one of the Fathers of Baseball.  Mr. Chadwick was the 19th Century's preeminent chronicler of Base Ball and its history.  The Flemington Neshanock ledger is indeed Mr. Chadwick's creation.  And to be quite honest with you, I was fascinated by it all day long.

The bottom of the score ledger reads -

"Entered according to Act of Congress, in year 1868, by Henry Chadwick...."

Read more about Henry Chadwick, his link in history with the Capitals Base Ball Club, and view his elaborate resting place in Brooklyn's Greenwood Cemetery - Here.

With that said, this seems like a good way to end this post.  That's all she wrote.  Thank you Gothams, and Flemington, and thank you Columbus for coming out to Brooklyn and playing the greatest game in the world, in the place where Base Ball history was born.

Included in the picture below, is Kim, Director of the Old Stone House.

And on the far right dressed in his blue jacket, is "Mr. New Jersey" -  John Zinn.

Preview - Vintage Base Ball Returns to Brooklyn

Flemington Neshanock Base Ball Club

Gothams Base Ball Club of New York

Capital Base Ball Club, Columbus, Ohio

Mike.BTB