In the Footsteps of Zane Grey

Over the past 25 seasons, the Neshanock have played at many different venues, but Saturday may have been the first with little or no cell phone service.  It wasn't a problem during the game, but the beginning of the trip home without Google Maps had some initial anxiety. The field, near the Zane Grey Museum in Lackawaxen, PA, is located in a valley, thus the limited service. More about Lackawaxen and Zane Grey later.  It couldn't have been a nicer day for baseball, pristine blue skies, temperatures in the low 80s and an interested and attentive crowd of about 150.  Saturday was also the latest renewal of New Jersey's oldest vintage baseball rivalry between the Neshanock and the Elizabeth Resolutes for two seven-inning games by 1864 rules.  Thanks to Craig Combs and the Resolutes for making the trip.

All Pictures by the Aged Scorekeeper

Having lost the coin toss, Flemington went to the striker's line and, as per usual, got off to a fast start, tallying seven times.  This time, however, the Neshanock didn't stop scoring, adding eight more runs for a 15-4 victory.  Leading the Flemington offense was Chris "Sideshow" Nunn with four hits, followed by Thomas "Hawk" Prioli, who had three.  It was a balanced attack after that, as Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta, Bob "Riverboat" Smith, Joe "Mick" Murray, Jeff "Duke" Schneider and Chris "Lowball" Lowry each contributed two.  In addition to his two hits, "Duke" had two walks for a clear score that saw him tally all four times.  He also fulfilled an old baseball tradition, making a fine rolling catch to end a Resolutes rally in the bottom of the fifth and then leading off the sixth.  Although Bobby "Melky" Ritter only had one hit, it was memorable as he beat out an infield hit without the benefit of a pinch runner. Yes, you read that correctly.

 

With the Resolutes shorthanded, Zane Grey himself filled in, manfully playing without a glove

A portion of the crowd

After a brief break for rest and rehydration, the Neshanock took the field for the second game.  The Resolutes threatened in the top of the first, but were unable to take the lead.  Flemington tallied once in their half and added three more in the second.  The game was close until the late innings, but like the first game, the Neshanock didn't stop scoring and earned a 9-1 win.  "Sideshow" again led the offense, this time with three hits and a clear score.  Four other Neshanock contributed two hits apiece.  Special mention and thanks to Derek "Marquis" Schneider, who did very well in his Neshanock debut, earning his first hit in the second game.  His father, "Duke," did a solid job at catcher, including retiring the side in one inning on two foul-bound outs and one fair-bound out.  "Melky" contributed another solid pitching performance.

Zane Grey's residence, now the Zane Grey Museum

Grey's office, where he wrote, among other things, Riders of the Purple Sage

Why were New Jersey's two senior vintage clubs playing in Lackawaxen, PA?  It's a pleasure to answer that question, especially for new blog readers, because it illustrates the broad range of New Jersey baseball.  Today's games were sponsored by the National Park Service, which operates the nearby Zane Grey Museum, where Grey lived from 1905 to 1918.  Grey is best known, of course, as the author of very popular westerns, but he also had his own baseball career.  After college success at the University of Pennsylvania, he played both minor league and semi-pro baseball in New Jersey.  Some of those experiences were the basis for his two young adult baseball novels - The Shortstop and The Young Pitcher.  Saturday was a day to honor Grey's New Jersey baseball connections.  The Neshanock and the Resolutes are very grateful to the National Park Service and the Zane Grey Museum for the opportunity. 

So Cool

A few years ago, Henry Zinn, my ten-year-old grandson, gave me a guided tour of his dinosaur collection, which he categorized by their degree of "coolness."  Some were “very” cool, others “extremely” cool, with a few receiving the highest accolade of "insanely" cool.  I was reminded of the many possible levels of coolness after Saturday's game in Washington when Darryl Wright, coach of the Warren Hills team, said the day had been "so" cool.  While it's not a category I've heard Henry use, it was very appropriate for two reasons.  First, we were fortunate to play on a historic field, more on that later.  Second and more important, was enabling local high school players to learn how baseball was played in the 1860s.  Learning not by listening to one of my perhaps not entirely gripping lectures, but by actually playing baseball the way it was played well over 100 years ago.  

The historic grandstand at Washington - all photos by Mark Granieri

The Neshanock played the Warren Hills High School team two years ago, but this was an entirely different group of players. That made Saturday even more impressive because these young men learned very quickly.  Especially noteworthy was how fast they adjusted to playing without gloves.  The game began with both teams tallying three times in the first inning, but Flemington tallied six more times over the next three innings while the local club added just one run.  Flemington's 9-4 lead proved to be short-lived, however, as Warren Hills scored 11 runs over the last five innings while shutting out Flemington in the process for a 15-9 victory.

Jim "Jersey" Nunn at the striker's line

The Neshanock offense was led by Scott "Snuffy" Hengst and Jason Blazakis with four hits apiece.  Both came up one at bat short of a clear score.  Special thanks to Jason, a member of the Logan Club of Lambertville, who helped us field a team.  Right behind Jason and "Snuffy" was Chris "Sideshow" Nunn with three hits.  "Sideshow's" younger brother, Matt "Fly" Nunn, was next with two hits and Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta led a number of Neshanock who had one hit each.  Jim "Jersey" Nunn, the final (and oldest) Nunn in the Neshanock lineup, contributed a fine defensive play at first, as did "Snuffy" at third.  As usual, Bobby "Melky" Ritter and Bob "Riverboat" Smith pitched effectively while local resident Mark "Gaslight" Granieri handled the catching.

The Warren Hills High School baseball team

The field at Washington is unique because of the covered grandstand.  There was a time when almost every community in New Jersey had such a field.  To my knowledge, there are only two others left - Gebhardt Field in Clinton and Case Field in Holland Township.  Not only were these fields used by local teams, legendary major league players sometimes played there. Ty Cobb, for example, played in Washington in 1911.  Sadly, as I understand it, very few games are played there today.  Saturday was, therefore, even more important for the local high school players.  Not only did they get to play on a historic field, it was one in their own community. I'm confident that even by his highest standards, Henry Zinn would have agreed that the day was indeed "so cool."

August

In the world of baseball, the beginning of August means more than just the start of a new month.  At the major league level, with the trading deadline past, rosters are basically set and there are roughly 60 days left to determine who will make the playoffs. Far, far below the majors is vintage baseball, but here again, August is a significant point in the season.  For most teams, the season is in the home stretch.  After yesterday's two games with the Logan Club of Lambertville, the Neshanock have only four dates left before we bring down the curtain on the 2025 season.  Since no one knows what the future brings, it's even more important to enjoy and treasure each game.

Both the Neshanock and the Logan Club are grateful to the Lambertville Historical Society and the City of Lambertville for hosting the game for the third consecutive year. Photo by Sam Ricco

Founded by Sam "Ewing" Ricco and Scott "Snuffy" Hengst of the Neshanock, the Logan Club is New Jersey's newest 19th-century baseball team.  The first of two seven-inning games by 1864 rules got started with Flemington at the striker's line.  The Neshanock struck quickly and tallied three times before the side was retired.  Unfortunately for Flemington, the lead didn't last long. Four straight Logan hits tied the score, with the local team threatening to do more damage.  Setting the tone for the day, however, the Neshanock defense rose to the occasion. First, shortstop Thomas "Hawk" Prioli started a double play. Then Mark "Gaslight" Granieri retired the side with another of his renowned plays on a foul bound-out.

As always, Ken "Tumbles" Mandel is at the center of the action.  Like most of us, Scott "Snuffy" Hengst isn't quite sure what to do with him.  Unless otherwise noted all photos by Mark Granieri

After a scoreless second inning, Flemington tallied five times in the third and added two more in the sixth on the way to a 10-3 win.  The Neshanock attack was led by Chris "Sideshow" Nunn and Rene "Mango" Marrero with three-hit clear scores.  "Gaslight" added a two-hit clear score of his own, although it wasn't exactly a thing of beauty.  For new blog readers, a clear score means the player didn't make a single out in the game, either at bat or on the bases.  Also adding two hits were Joe "Mick" Murray and Ken "Tumbles" Mandel.  Equally important to the win was the errorless defense behind pitchers Bobby "Melky" Ritter and Dave "Illinois" Harris.  Dan "Sledge" Hammer had a three-hit clear score for the Logan Club.

The Neshanock are delighted to welcome the newest member of our community - Levi Nunn, seen just below his older sister's left elbow.  Left to right Jessica Nunn, Matt Nunn, Chris Nunn (Dad), Chelsea Nunn, Jim "Jersey" Nunn, Lauren Marchese Nunn (Mom) and Mary Nunn

The end of the first game was followed by a feature of every Neshanock game, which I don't think I've mentioned before.  Neshanock players stayed on the field and gave the kids in the crowd a chance to hit with a wooden bat - perhaps one of the few times they'll have that opportunity.  When the second game began, the Logan Club tallied once in the top of the first. However, the Neshanock answered with two in their half, keyed by a prodigious double by "Hawk" that would have been a home run had it not been for the ground rules.  Flemington added two runs in the third, thanks to a crucial contribution from the bottom of the order.  After "Tumbles" and Jim "Jersey" Nunn singled, Chris "Lowball" Lowry hit a long bound out to right that allowed both runners to score. The Neshanock needed those runs as the Logan Club scored twice in the top of the seventh before Flemington held on for a 4-3 win.  

Sam "Ewing" Ricco and the Logan Baseball Club

What was really of note in both games was the Neshanock defense.  Flemington committed just one muff while allowing only three runs in each contest. In the outfield, "Sideshow" combined his speed with two of the best hands in vintage baseball to handle everything that came his way.  "Tumbles," Matt "Fly" Nunn and Ernie "Shredder" Albanesius shared the duty in center and right, using good positioning to run down balls on the bound.  The left side of the infield put in a dominant performance with "Mick" and "Hawk" catching everything they could reach and then unleashing throws that "Mango" and Tom "Thumbs" Hoepfner handled flawlessly at first.  "Lowball" and "Jersey" were efficient at second while "Gaslight" and "Thumbs" took care of any foul balls.  Part and parcel of the solid defense was the stout pitching of "Melky" and "Illinois."

Brad "Brooklyn" Shaw - "Founder of the Feast"

The Logan Club played well in both games, especially on defense.  "Ewing" and "Snuffy" have the Lambertville team off to a good start.  Although Flemington won both games, today was really a victory for New Jersey vintage baseball.  The enthusiastic and attentive crowd is solid evidence of the demand for games like this. We need teams like the Logan Club to make this happen.  Brad "Brooklyn" Shaw, founder of the Neshanock and a mentor to the Logan Club, was at the games along with his wife Phyillis.  At the end of the second game, he talked about how proud he is of both teams.  We're equally proud and grateful to him.  Let's hope that while August may mark the beginning of the end of the 2025 season, it's also laying the framework for a stronger New Jersey vintage baseball world.

Weekend in Gettysburg

It's not uncommon for families to spend part of every summer at a favorite destination. Some families, for example, go to the New Jersey shore for the first two weeks of July, while others make an August visit to Cape Cod.  Since 2010, the Flemington Neshanock family has spent the third weekend of July in Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania.  While these visits have included the historic battlefield, the primary purpose of the trip is to participate in the Gettysburg National 19th Century Base Ball Festival.  Founded and operated by the Elkton Eclipse Club, the event has grown from six teams to one of the largest vintage baseball gatherings in the country, this year featuring 25 clubs.  

This year's t-shirt honoree was Tom "Schoolboy" Duffy of the Elkton Eclipse - well played and deserved, sir! (Unless otherwise noted, all photos by Mark Granieri)

Perhaps equally impressive as the number of participants is the festival's broad geographic reach, attracting clubs from as far away as Michigan, Tennessee and Maine.  Having teams from so many different parts of the country enables the organizers to design a schedule where the Neshanock, and the other participating clubs, play opponents they wouldn't, and probably couldn't, play anywhere else. But while Flemington has typically played four different teams each year, the games tend to fall into one of several categories.  It seems worthwhile, therefore, to look at the Neshanock's 2025 Gettysburg experience from that point of view.    

Left to right - the aged scorekeeper, Chris "Lowball" Lowry, Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta, Rene "Mango" Marrero, Matt "Fly" Nunn, Danny "Lefty" Gallagher and Ken "Tumbles" Mandel.  Photo courtesy of the Kingston Guards Base Ball Club

Every year, there seems to be a game with a team playing at Gettysburg for the first time.  This year's opener against the Kingston Guards from Ulster County, New York, was such a contest.  The Kingston club's name comes from the 120th New York Infantry, a Civil War regiment that served with distinction at Gettysburg, not far from the site of Saturday's match.  Flemington got off to a fast start, tallying nine times in the first three innings en route to a 13-4 victory.  Flemington was led at the striker's line by Rene "Mango" Marrero and Matt "Fly" Nunn both of whom earned four-hit clear scores.  Danny "Lefty" Gallagher and Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta each had three hits, with "Lefty" hitting his first, but far from last, home run of the weekend.

The legend of Ken "Tumbles" Mandel grew over the weekend as he not only played four games but also helped another team short of players and umpired another contest.  In addition, he "contributed" an unforgettable, but hopefully never to be repeated, base-running maneuver.  As seen here, by Sunday, he had learned not to stray too far off third base.

Mark "Gaslight" Granieri had two hits for Flemington but was even more productive at catcher, recording seven putouts on foul balls.  Wilely veteran that he is "Gaslight" also pulled off a trick play on a foul bound out.  Since there are new readers to the blog this year, this seems like a good time to explain a major difference in 1860s baseball.  Simply put, baserunners cannot advance on a foul ball, but must return to their base or risk being put out.  This facilitates trick plays where, after a foul ball, a seemingly errant throw, tempts the runner to leave his base, only to learn to his chagrin that he is out because he cannot advance on a foul ball.  We hope this explanation is helpful to new readers, anonymous as they may be. 

Special thanks to Neshanock alumnus, Dan "Sledge" Hammer, right, for a splendiferously umpired match 

At the time of Saturday's second game coin toss, none of the participants could have foreseen what lay ahead

Typically, at least one game at Gettysburg is close, and it would have been difficult to have one closer than the Neshanock's second game on Saturday against the Addison Mountain Stars from western Pennsylvania.  We had the chance to watch the Addison team's first game and knew they were heavy hitters.  Once again, the Neshanock got off to a fast start and led 5- 1 after three innings.  There was, however, no way to shut down the Addison offense.  The Pennsylvania team tallied six times in the fourth and twice more in the sixth to lead 9-5.  Flemington rallied in their half of the sixth to tie the game at 9-9, but it didn't stay tied for long.  Addison tallied four times, but their lead proved equally short-lived as the Neshanock rallied again to take a 14-13 lead after seven innings.

Dave "Illinois" Harris

Flemington added a run in the eighth and held a two-run lead as the game went to the ninth.  To no one's surprise, Addison rallied again to tie the game and then kept the Neshanock off the scoreboard in the bottom of the ninth.  Addison tallied once in the top of the tenth and had two runners on base with their dangerous leadoff hitter at the striker's line.  It was a classic pitcher-batter confrontation.  In the end, Neshanock pitcher Bobby "Melky" Ritter prevailed, striking out the batter after what seemed like endless foul balls kept the at-bat alive.  Down one, the Neshanock loaded the bases with two outs and came literally within inches of tying and perhaps winning the game, but Addison prevailed 16-15.  

Joe "Mick" Murray

"Mango" again led the Neshanock attack with four hits while "Lefty," "O'Neill," and Sam "Ewing" Ricco contributed three apiece.  Additional offensive support came from Chris "Sideshow" Nunn, "Gaslight," Joe "Mick" Murray and Jim "Jersey" Nunn, each with two hits.  On the defensive side, "Gaslight" exceeded his first game performance, recording ten putouts on foul-bound outs, a Neshanock record.  Again, for the benefit of new blog readers, batted balls, fair or foul, caught on one bounce are an out. 

 

The number of Flat Rock players participating in the coin toss anticipated their offensive production

The Gettysburg Festival attracts some of the country's best vintage baseball teams - teams that are fun to watch, but not necessarily to play.  Flemington was in that position on Sunday morning in a match against the Bear Clan Club of Flat Rock, Michigan.  Surprisingly, the Neshanock trailed only 3-2 after two innings, thanks in part to another "Lefty" home run.  In the bottom of the third, however, Flat Rock's heavy hitters took over.  When the dust finally cleared, the Michigan team had tallied 13 times and had more than enough runs for a 19-5 victory.  "Lefty" had one other hit besides his home run while "Mango," "Jersey," and "Fly" had two apiece.

Bobby "Melky" Ritter 

Not sure if it was a head or a tail, but Flemington won the toss

Everyone enjoys the Gettysburg Nineteenth Century Baseball Festival.  I've been to all but one and I've never heard anyone say they didn't have a good time.  But by the time the last game on Sunday rolls around, most players and families are paying as much attention to the clock as the scoreboard.  Flemington's final game was against the Westfield Wheelmen, and the team from Massachusetts took an early 2-0 lead.  

Danny Gallagher finishing off his sixth and final home run of the weekend

Flemington quickly responded, scoring four times in the first and adding five more in the third.  Westfield got four back in the top of the fourth, but the Neshanock matched that and prevailed 13-7 in a game shortened by the time restrictions.  "Lefty" had a three-hit, clear score with all three hits home runs, giving him six for the weekend.  "Sideshow," Mango," "O'Neill," "Jersey" and Chris "Lowball" Lowry each had two hit games.  "Mango" and "Lowball" earned clear scores in the process.  "Gaslight" finished up a memorable defensive weekend by short-circuiting a Westfield rally with the foul ball trick.

One final hurrah before the long ride home

I want to reflect a little more on the Neshanock's classic struggle with the Addison Club.  In my sixteen or so years of vintage baseball, I've been part of many close games.  Some were satisfying wins, while others were heartbreaking, if not bitter, defeats.  But I couldn't remember a game like the one on Saturday.  Like the others, it was obviously a very close game, but it was somehow different.  After a lot of thought, what stood out was the effort of both teams.  This is in no way to say there isn't plenty of effort in other games, but in my experience, in this one, the effort was off the charts.  I think the chances or opportunities for such memorable games are far greater at Gettysburg.  And that's one more reason all of us in the vintage baseball world should be grateful to the Elkton Club for making it happen, every year on the third weekend in July.  

Deemed Worthy

How long has it been since the Neshanock played at Greenway Meadow Park in Princeton?  Long enough for the local municipality to construct a roundabout at the entrance to the parking area.  Although it doesn't seem like it's been that long, it's been three years since Flemington last played at the park in the Historical Society of Princeton's annual event. This was not by choice. In 2023, rain wiped out the game, while in 2024, excessive heat led to a cancellation.  This past Saturday offered a little bit of rain and heat, but fortunately not enough to interfere with our match with the Newtown Strakes

Our friends (and worthy foemen), the Newtown Strakes - all photos by Mark Granieri

The Strakes are well known to the Neshanock through the annual Memorial Day game, ably hosted by Kevin O'Shea, team captain, and the rest of the Newtown club.  Opponents aren't that easy to come by, and we're grateful they helped us out on Saturday.  Although they play only a few times a year, the Strakes, as Flemington knows full well, can more than hold their own against vintage teams that play regularly.

It was great to have our old friend Meshack Desane playing with us again on Saturday.  We hope he'll make it a habit

Flemington went first to the striker's line on Saturday and got off to a quick start, tallying nine times over the first three innings.  When the Neshanock added one in the top of the fifth, Flemington was ahead 10-2, but no one on the Neshanock bench was getting over-confident.  The Memorial Day game started the same way, but Newtown came back to win that match.  Sure enough, Newtown tallied five times in the bottom of the fifth and gradually clawed their way back to tie the match at 10-10 after eight innings.  After Flemington failed to score in the top of the ninth, Newtown quickly scored the winning run for a come-from-behind 11-10 win.

Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta looks for an opening in the Newtown defense - there weren't many

As frustrating as the loss was, there was some good playing on the Neshanock side. Thomas "Hawk" Prioli and Mark "Gaslight" Granieri both had three hits, with "Gaslight" earning a clear score.  In addition, both "Hawk" and "Gaslight" made notable defensive contributions.  "Hawk" pulled the hidden ball trick on an unsuspecting Newtown base runner while "Gaslight" threw out a runner trying to steal second.  The latter play is so rare, it's hard to find a metaphor to do it justice.  The wily Nehsanock veteran also made a fine play on a seventh-inning bound out. Also contributing offensively were Sam "Ewing" Ricco, Jeff "Duke" Schneider, Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta and Meshack "Shack" Desane with two hits apiece.  Defensively, Scott "Snuffy" Hengst made several good plays in left, while Bobby "Melky" Ritter pitched another solid game. 

Even after the match is over, there's work to be done - Thomas "Hawk" Prioli recovers the flag and the bases

So far this season, one thing has stood out in each game.  On Memorial Day, for example, it was the crowd.  In our last match at the Howell Living History Farm, a low-scoring game played under high-scoring rules was noteworthy.  What struck me about Saturday's game was how close the game was for the first eight innings.  A tie score at that point isn't that unusual, but both teams had the top of their order up in the ninth inning.  That means both teams scored the same number of runs, in roughly the same number of at-bats over eight innings. It was a very evenly played game. While losing was disappointing, there's something to be said for close, well-played games regardless of who wins.  It's enjoyable for the fans, fun for the two teams, and above all, worthy of the game itself.

Picturing Vintage Baseball

The primary purpose of my blog posts about Neshanock games is to give readers a sense of what a vintage baseball game is like.  Sometimes I wonder if I go into a little too much detail, and sometimes, even when I don't wonder, others do it for me.  As an alternative approach, this post will take a second look at the Neshanock's Memorial Day game in Newtown, Pennsylvania, through Lauren Marchese Nunn's insanely cool photos with minimal commentary.

  Sam "Ewing" Ricco - Neshanock Third Baseman

There are no easy plays in vintage baseball

Thomas "Hawk" Prioli at short, while Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta looks on

Kevin O'Shea Newtown Strakes Captain

Ken "Tumbles" Mandel - an impossible act to follow

Once and Future Opponents 

Two for the Price of One

Every vintage baseball game requires decision-making, especially making out the lineups both at bat and in the field.  Those decisions are even more complicated when the Neshanock has a large turnout, as we did on Saturday at the Howell Living History Farm.  It's seldom simple, but since it's part of every game, it's at least a familiar experience.  Thus far in 2025, however, those decisions haven't been anywhere near as difficult as trying to figure out problematic weather forecasts.  Of the five dates thus far, Memorial Day was the only time, there wasn't any concern about the weather. Once again on Saturday, the forecast was for showers, and once again we decided to show up and see what happened.  That approach didn't work so well for the opener in Clinton, but on Saturday, we, fortunately, only experienced intermittent drizzle. 

Did Hog Weighing attract a bigger crowd than the Neshanock and Resolutes? We'll never tell!

The one downside on Saturday was that the weather was a deterrent to what is typically a large fan turnout.  It was unfortunate because the two games with the Elizabeth Resolutes were a rare opportunity to see Civil War era baseball played by two different sets of rules.  Our good friends, the Resolutes, New Jersey's senior vintage club, prefer to play by 1870 rules, while Flemington typically uses the 1864 version.  To honor both approaches, at least once per season, we play two games, one under each set of rules so the fans can see the differences.

Although the weather held the numbers below normal, those in attendance were attentive and interested. All photos by Mark Granieri

Saturday's first of two seven-inning games was played by 1864 rules.  Elizabeth scored four times while holding the Neshanock in check and led 4-1 after three innings.  With only four innings left to play, the top of the Neshanock order, keyed by a clutch hit from Mark "Gaslight" Granieri rallied to tie the game. Still tied at 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth, the lower half of the Flemington order led the way to a nine-run inning and a 13-4 lead.   Elizabeth got two back, but it wasn't enough as the Neshanock earned a 13-6 win.  Five Flemington strikers got two hits apiece, led by Danny "Lefty" Gallagher and Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta, who both earned clear scores.  They were joined in the two-hit club by Chris "Sideshow" Nunn, Sam "Ewing" Ricco and "Gaslight."  Jim "Jersey" Nunn also earned a clear score.

As much uniformity as we will ever see from the Neshanock

Back in the days when the major leagues scheduled doubleheaders, they were promoted as two games for the price of one.  Although there was no charge for admission at Howell Farm, the fans still got two games, with the second game played by 1870 rules.  While there are a number of differences between 1864 and 1870 baseball, the most important is the elimination of the fair bound out. For the benefit of new blog readers, through 1864, any batted ball, fair or foul, caught on a bounce was an out.  Beginning in 1865, however, fair balls had to be caught on the fly.  Giving the defense one less way to retire a batter obviously favors the offense. Predictably, games played by 1870 rules tend to be more high-scoring and no lead is safe.  Such was the case a year ago at Howell when Flemington led 15-4 heading into the last inning and had to hold on for a 15-13 win.

Chris "Sideshow" Nunn (left) and Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta seldom have this kind of backup

Uncharacteristically, however, the second game got off to a low-scoring start, tied 1-1 after two innings before Flemington took a 6-1 lead after three. In the fourth, Elizabeth's first two strikers reached base, but the Neshanock retired the next two batters and were almost out of the inning.  Next up at the striker's line was Ken "Tumbles" Mandel.  Wait, isn't "Tumbles" a Neshanock player and a legendary one at that?  Indeed, he is, but with Resolutes down a player, "Tumbles" manfully volunteered to play for Elizabeth.  Naturally, in such a crucial moment, he came through with a hit that not only kept the rally alive but got Elizabeth started on a five-run inning to tie the contest 6-6. Flemington scratched out three runs in their next two at-bats, but no one on the Neshanock side was confident about a three-run lead in a game played by 1870 rules.  

Joe "Mick" Murray at the striker's line waits for Lawrence Major's pitch to catcher Craig Combs while Sam Bernstein prepares to make the call

In their last at bat, however, Flemington scored seven times and prevailed 16-6 in a game that was much closer than the score indicated.  What was unusual, at least in my experience with 1870 games, is that the Neshanock gave up only six runs, shutting out the Resolutes over the last three innings. Bobby "Melky" Ritter struck out one Elizabeth striker and induced four others to hit foul tips that "Gaslight" handled with his usual aplomb.  When the Resolutes put the ball in play, Joe "Dispatch" Prioli at short and  JP "Grifter" Prioli at third efficiently sent it on to Renee "Mango" Marrero at first.   Flemington didn't lack for offense, especially Chris "Lowball" Lowry's clear score and "Mango's" four hits.  But what made this game noteworthy is that even though the rules favored the offense, the defense was the difference.  It's a reminder that just when we think we understand the game, baseball throws us a metaphorical curve.