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.