Return to Gettysburg

Although clichés can be annoying, they endure because of their ability to summarize reality in just a few words.  One example, made particularly poignant by the pandemic, is the idea that we never fully appreciate something until we lose it, even if only temporarily.  Such was certainly the case for the vintage base ball community in general and more specifically for those accustomed to spending the third weekend in July at the National 19th Century Base Ball Festival in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  After Covid-19 understandably caused the cancellation of the 2020 edition, those of us who returned to southern Pennsylvania this past weekend had a far greater appreciation of the experience.  Begun in 2010 by the Elkton Eclipse Club of Maryland, the event has grown from a relatively local six team tournament to what is perhaps the most popular vintage base ball event in the country drawing 25 teams from as far away as Providence, Rhode Island (400 miles), Bay City, Michigan (570 miles) and Nashville, Tennessee (680 miles).   All of us who participate are grateful to Elkton president Bruce Lieth and his entire "team" for everything they do to make this wonderful weekend a reality.

"Those who here gave their lives that that nation might live"

Now that I've taken on more administrative responsibilities for the Neshanock, I have an even better understanding and appreciation of what the Elkton Club does to make this event happen.  One thing that especially stands out is the amount of work necessary before the first players even arrive beginning with making the schedule.  Even working with five fields, trying to arrange for 25 teams to play four games over two days is a formidable task made even more challenging by one of the festival's most attractive features.  Teams especially enjoy playing Gettysburg because the schedule is arranged to allow teams to take on clubs they seldom play on a regular basis, if at all.  With so many teams returning each year, figuring out how to maximize those opportunities for every team is far from simple.  It's a job worthy of a PhD in Mathematics and wisely the Elkton club turned the task over to Dr. Brian Travers, a mathematics professor at Salem State University and captain of the Providence Grays Club.  Even though the Neshanock have been participants since day one, we still regularly play clubs with whom we've had little prior contact.  Well done, Brian!

Looking for the right bat - all photos by Mark Granieri

Another challenging task is setting up five base ball fields on terrain never intended for the purpose.  Laying out the foul lines, striker's line and pitcher's box for just one field is hard enough, having to do it five times, working with what is not unlimited space is difficult and time consuming work.  And it's not just a question of doing it once, at the very least the lines have to be put down again for Sunday's games.  Wisely an Elkton group led by Tom "Schoolboy" Duffy arrived in Gettysburg a day early to get on with the task.  I also understand they spent a fair amount of time on Thursday night visiting a number of local establishments to help revitalize the local economy.  Once all this work is done, the games can begin, but not without umpires.  Wisely the Elkton Club divides up the workload by asking each club to provide umpires for two matches.  Thanks to Brad "Brooklyn" Shaw and Tom "Thumbs" Hoepfner who filled the Neshanock's quota.  For our own matches we were fortunate to have Rich "Grumpy" Heinick, "Schoolboy" himself and Frank "Shakespeare" Van Zant.  We especially appreciate "Grumpy's" willingness to step in and work our last game.  

Jim "Jersey" Nunn leads off after one of his five hits against Phoenix

Flemington first took the field on Saturday afternoon for a match against a mixed team, representing Connecticut clubs as well as the Monmouth Furnace team from New Jersey.  A double by Danny "Lefty" Gallagher and a single by Thumbs" got the Neshanock on the scoreboard in the top of the first, but the opposition scored twice in the bottom of the second and three times in the third for a 5-1 lead.  Flemington managed two tallies in the top of the fourth, to cut the margin to 5-3 after four, but only crossed home plate once more over the course of the game.  The Ct/Monmouth squad added three more runs for an 8-4 win that was more decisive than the score may indicate.  Although the Neshanock didn't play poorly, the opposition hit, pitched and defended in a superior fashion and clearly deserved the win.  Flemington's offense was led by "Lefty" who had three hits, scored three of the Neshanock's four runs and earned a clear score for the match.  Also earning a clear score was Eric Zall, a muffin playing his first game, a record for a Neshanock newcomer.  Eric was joined in the lineup by his older brother Andy who also had a hit.  Adding two hits apiece for Flemington were "Thumbs" and Ken "Tumbles" Mandel.   

Old men at work - Tom "Schoolboy" Duffy (left) umpiring while the humble author looks on

After a brief respite, the Neshanock moved to the adjoining field to take on the Phoenix Club of East Nashville who had the longest journey to Gettysburg, almost 700 miles.  No matter how long one  has been involved in baseball there are still things that are "new under the sun," in this case a very hot sun with humidity and gathering clouds.  How many times, for example, does a team score ten runs in the top of the inning and then get out scored in the bottom of the inning? It's certainly not something seen regularly.  But after 10 tallies in the top of the fourth, the Phoenix Club rallied for 11 in the bottom half of the inning.  Fortunately Flemington had already put 20 runs across the plate in the first three innings so the net loss of a run in the fourth only cut the lead to 17.  In addition to batting around in the fourth, the Neshanock sent even more men to the plate in the top of the first while tallying 11 times.  The highlight of the inning was a home run from "Lefty," one of his five hits for the game.  

Joe "Mick" Murray at bat against the Phoenix Club

The final score was 35-17 with a number of Neshanock strikers enjoying success at the line.  Joe "Mick" Murray had six hits in as many at bats, but lost a clear score by being put out on the bases after his last at bat.  In the kind of irony only the Neshanock are capable of, it was part of a double play that also cost Jim "Jersey" Nunn a clear score although his five hits offered some solace.  Also recording five hits was "Brooklyn" in his first outing in several years - he too lost a clear score in his final at bat. Dan "Sledge" Hammer, "Thumbs" and Dave "Illinois" Harris contributed four hits apiece while Jeff "Duke" Schneider, Mark "Gaslight" Granieri and "Tumbles" added three hits each.  The 35 runs scored tied a Neshanock record, matching another game in Gettysburg, a 2014, 35-24 win over the Franklin Club of Pittsburgh.  "Illinois" contributed the outstanding defensive play of the day, one-handing a bullet throw from "Sledge" to retire a Phoenix runner at first.  While the Neshanock had a big lead throughout, the outcome hung in the balance as dark storm clouds grew on the horizon, but somehow nine innings were completed before the deluge hit Gettysburg Saturday night.  It was a pleasure to make the acquaintance of the Tennessee club which has its own share of good hitters.  

A rare occurrence - Dave "Illinois" Harris gets one of the Neshanock's five hits against Lewes

Baseball is, as they say, a "funny game," an adage proven once again in Sunday's first game against the Lewes Club of Delaware.  After racking up 45 hits in the second game on Saturday, Flemington managed only five in the opening Sunday contest, equal or less than four individual performances on Saturday.  Of course, Lewes had more than a little to do with that as the Delaware club combined good pitching with sound defense, proving once again that one of the most important keys to playing good defense is making the so-called routine plays.  On the offensive side Lewes played 1864 baseball at its best, regularly placing the ball beyond the reach of the Neshanock defense, scoring the only two runs they needed in the second inning.  Flemington's five hits produced only one run, a fourth inning tally, at least avoiding being shut out in a 6-1 loss.  It was a solid performance by the Lewes Club and a well deserved victory for the Delaware team.

Always ready to steal, Chris "Sideshow" Nunn leads off first against Gettysburg

Just like Saturday, the Neshanock offense found its rhythm early in the second contest, Flemington's first ever game against the local Gettysburg club.  The Neshanock built an 8-0 lead after five innings, but the Generals came back with  four in the sixth to close within 8-4.  Fortunately, Flemington got three back in the bottom of the inning and broke the game open with seven tallies in the 8th in route to a 19-4 win.  "Mick" led the Neshanock offense with a five hit clear score while "Sledge," "Thumbs," Gregg  "Burner" Wiseburn and Renee "Mango" Marrero had three hits each.  Adding two hits apiece were "Lefty," "Gaslight," "Duke," "Tumbles" and Chris "Sideshow" Nunn.  Flemington played good defense as well, especially a fine catch of a line drive by pitcher "Mango" and "Sledge's" throw to nail a runner trying to steal.  Also of note was "Gaslight's" play at first base where he was flawless.  It was a pleasure to take on the relatively new Gettysburg club and we wish them the best for the future.  Sunday's games were played in the coolest weather the Neshanock have ever experienced in Gettysburg so naturally both contests were completed in just over an hour.  As always it was an honor to be part of this event, something felt even more strongly after last year's cancellation and the Neshanock look forward to returning in 2022.