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.