"But Here?"

Although there have been some recent changes, baseball, unlike other major sports, isn't controlled by the clock.  Perhaps that explains how some milestones in the season ignore the calendar and basic mathematics.  The midpoint in the major league season, for example, is 81 games, but from a practical standpoint, it's the all-star break regardless of the number of games played.  For the Flemington Neshanock and, I would guess, a number of vintage teams, the Gettysburg 19th Century Base Ball Festival is the midpoint of the season and, more importantly, the high point.  Thanks to the Elkton Eclipse Club, what began as a six-team, relatively local event in 2010, now attracts, in 2024 at least, 30 teams from across the country.

Drawing on decades of experience, Tom "Schoolboy" Duffy is a veritable fount of sage comments.  Unless otherwise noted, pictures are by Rene Marrero

As a charter participant, the Neshanock have been eyewitnesses to the event's growth and were honored to be part of the 2024 incarnation.  For Flemington, the weekend began with a mid-day Saturday match with the Detroit Club, a new opponent for the Neshanock.  Unfortunately for the Michigan club, they were unable to bring a full team, but as always, the true spirit of nineteenth-century baseball kicked in.  The Neshanock did their part by lending them two players for an earlier game on Saturday.  Thanks to Andrew “Sun Dial” Moschella and Chris “Lowball” Lowry for helping out. Had it been necessary, some Neshanock players volunteered to play for Detroit in our match, but players from other teams, including a group from the Flower City Club of Rochester, stepped into the breach.

Unknown to us, the last sentence of the first paragraph suggests a historic Zinn connection to Gettysburg - discovery and photo by Carol Zinn

As usual, the Neshanock lost the coin toss and went to the striker’s line, but Dan “Sledge” Hammer got the match off to a good start with a home run.  Flemington broke the game open in the top of the third thanks to the lower half of the striking order. The rally was keyed by doubles from Ken “Tumbles” Mandel and “Lowball” and finished off by Danny “RBI” Gallagher's first, but not last, home run of the weekend.  Flemington added four more in the fourth and two in the fifth including the Neshanock’s third home run of the game, this time courtesy of Chris “Sideshow” Nunn.  Just before “Sideshow’s blast “Lowball” had to retreat to first base after almost reaching third only to have to repeat the journey with one of the speediest Neshanock players on his heels.  A lot of exercise for the veteran field-captain.

"Lowball" is glad not just to score, but to arrive ahead of the flying "Sideshow" 

Detroit rallied for four runs in the bottom of the fifth, but the Flemington matched it in their next time at the striker's line.  Once again the lower half of the order played a key part including singles by Matt “Fly” Nunn, Dave “Illinois” Harris and Ernie “Shredder” Albanesius.  Gettysburg Festival games are played with a 90-minute time limit and the match ended after the sixth with the Neshanock earning a 19-9 victory.  Both Paul “O’Neill” Cincotta and Sam “Ewing” Ricco had three hits, and even more impressively, earned clear scores in the process.  Joining them at the three-hit level was Ken “Tumbles” Mandel.  “Lowball,” “Sledge” and “Shredder” each contributed two hits while “Illinois” and Bobby “Melky” Ritter manfully handled the pitching duties.

Bobby "Melky" Ritter about to put bat on ball

After the Detroit match, Flemington had a break before taking on the Kennett Square Club.  Although no longer very active, the Pennsylvania club has always had a strong team and Saturday was no exception.  The Neshanock went out in order in the top of the first and Kennett Square tallied five times for an early 5-0 lead.  Flemington scored twice in the second thanks to a double by Rene “Mango” Marrero and a triple from “Ewing.”  The Pennsylvania team got one back, but Flemington responded with four runs in the top of the third. Singles by “Melky,” “Lowball,” and “Sideshow” set the stage for a triple by “RBI” which tied the score at 6-6. But the game didn’t remain tied for long as Kennett Square tallied twice to regain the lead.  

Sam "Ewing" Ricco

The Neshanock were far from done, however. Singles by “O’Neill,” Tony Pallanta and "Fly,” set the stage for “Ewing’s” double.  “Illinois” followed with a single and the Neshanock had another four-run inning.  Kennett Square tied it, but the Neshanock tallied three more times for a 13-10 lead.  Things looked good when the Pennsylvania team failed to score in the bottom of the fifth, but the Neshanock were also blanked in their next at-bat.  Kennett Square responded in their half of the sixth with a combination of hits and aggressive base running to score six times. The damage would have been worse had it not been for "Mango's" great grab of a line drive at first base. Unfortunately, the Neshanock couldn’t respond and dropped a very hard-fought 16-13 seven-inning match.  “Sideshow,” “RBI,” “O’Neill,” Tony, “Ewing” and “Lowball” each had three hits.  Clearly not exhausted in his third game of the day “Lowball” also earned a clear score.

The Neshanock are very grateful to Tony Pallanta for playing with us at Gettysburg

Saturday's afternoon games were followed by morning contests on Sunday - four games in less than 24 hours.  First up, at what Jim “Jersey” Nunn called an un-baseball-like hour of 8:00 was a match with a first-time opponent, the Statesmen of Wytheville, Virginia.  Needless to say, Flemington lost the coin toss, this time with an 1864 coin, and went first to the striker’s line.  The Neshanock scored once, but Wytheville tallied twice and led 2-1 after two innings.  The Virginia team would have had a larger lead were it not for some stout Neshanock defense.  With runners on first and third, the Wytheville striker hit back to “Illinois,” the Flemington pitcher.  The wiley Neshanock veteran faked as if he was going to throw to first, trapping the Virginia baserunner off third and setting up a manfully executed rundown that also featured Tony and “Tumbles.”  

Dave "Illinois" Harris demonstrates his pitching prowess. Photo by Sam Ricco

The match was played on field five which favors the defense since the pitcher throws downhill.  As a result, teams have to grind out runs.  With one out in the third, the Neshanock began to do just that with a single by “Jersey,” clearly not that hampered by the early start.  Hits by “Melky,” Sideshow” and “RBI” sent three tallies across the plate for a 4-2 Neshanock lead.  Wytheville was held scoreless in their half of the inning thanks to an athletic grab of a foul ball by “Lowball."  Flemington added two more in the fourth largely due to “Tumbles” who used a single to begin an odyssey around the bases that ended with a dramatic tumble/stumble across the plate.  Fortunately, the end result was captured on camera since it would be impossible to do justice to it with mere words. 

Ken "Tumbles" Mandel poised for his epic journey around the bases 

Beyond comment 

Flemington broke the game open with five runs in the top of the sixth and prevailed 14-8 despite an ugly defensive inning in Wytheville’s last at-bat.  The father and son combination of “Jersey” and “Sideshow” each had three hit games.  “Jersey” earned a clear score in the process, manfully running the bases aggressively even when it put his clear score at risk.  “Mango,” “Ewing,” Tony, “Tumbles,” “Illinois” and “Melky” each had two hits.  “Illinois” and “Melky” combined their offensive contributions with effective pitching performances.  One of the good things about the Schroder Farm is there is enough space to play five games simultaneously.  That’s the good news, the bad news is that sooner or later a team has to make the trek from field five to field one and immediately play a game.

Jim "Jersey" Nunn displays the form that produced six straight hits on Sunday

Such was the Neshanock’s fate after the Wytheville game.  Waiting for Flemington was a new team, the Hunky Dory Club of Lansdale, Pennsylvania.  If field five favors the defense, field one returns the favor for the offense which was quickly demonstrated when “Sideshow” and “RBI” led off the game with back-to-back home runs.  Naturally, the Neshanock batted first.  Flemington added another run, but the lead didn’t last long, as Lansdale tallied four times in their first at-bat.  The Neshanock regained the lead in the top of the second and then took control with a six-run outburst in the third.  This time it was the top of the order leading the way with seven of the first eight strikers reaching base.  In the fourth, there was a repeat of “Lowball” circling the bases ahead of “Sideshow” who hit his second home run of the game and third of the weekend.  

The Elkton Club's only questionable decision of the weekend was their choice of the likeness to put on one of the commemorative t-shirts, modeled here by "RBI" and "Tumbles."

The offensive fireworks culminated with “RBI’s” second home run of the game, this time a grand slam.  Meanwhile, the Neshanock defense shut out Landsale the rest of the way, for a 22-4 victory.  “Sideshow” led the way for Flemington with a four-hit clear score, highlighted by two home runs.  Not far behind was “RBI” with three hits, adding a triple to his two home runs.  Also contributing three hits were Tom “Thumbs” Hoepfner, “Ewing,” “Tumbles,” and “Jersey.”  “Tumbles” three-hit performance also earned him a clear score.  While “Jersey” didn’t have a clear score (he was forced out on the bases), the veteran Neshanock had six straight hits on the day.  It was a solid performance and a good way to end the weekend.  We were fortunate to have Doug Neubecker of the Bear Clan Club of Flat Rock, Michigan as our umpire.  Doug returned from a serious injury and it was great to have him back at the festival.

Tom "Thumbs" Hoepfner at the striker's line 

While historical accuracy has always been stressed at the Gettysburg Festival, there was increased emphasis this year at least partially because of the standards established by the National Association of Historic Base Ball Clubs.  I was talking to someone on Saturday who commented that he understood that some clubs couldn't meet those standards on every occasion.  However, he followed that concession by asking rhetorically "But here?" “Here,” of course, is Gettysburg, but why does this small Pennsylvania town merit the highest standards of historical accuracy?  It’s not like significant baseball history was made at Gettysburg, although Abner Doubleday did do some of his best work on July 1, 1863, not terribly far from the Schroder Farm.  The answer is that it’s not the geographic location that is important, but what has been created there – the Festival itself.

Team picture after Sunday's games - photo by Eve Mandel

There are many splendiferous nineteenth-century baseball festivals.  What makes Gettysburg so special is the number of participants, 30 teams in 2024, and the broad geographic reach, clubs from as far away as Wisconsin.  Taken together these two factors provide one of the best ways possible to learn and practice the highest standards of historical accuracy.  And since mutual accountability is the best type of accountability, there are few, if any, better places to do this. The Gettysburg Festival is the work of many hands.  It could never happen without a venue this large and the Schroder’s generosity is an invaluable gift.  All of the time and money teams spend to participate is also essential. But above all, there is the work of Bruce Leith, Tom “Schoolboy” Duffy, Les Blackburn and the rest of the Elkton team.  The Gettysburg Festival is a gift to the nineteenth-century baseball community.  And the best way to be thankful for that gift is to play the game as historically accurately as possible.

Perfect Together

At about 10:00 on Saturday morning, the outlook wasn't brilliant, not just for the respective nines, but more importantly for even playing baseball at New Bridge Landing.  Not only was a steady rain falling, there were no fans in sight and the field could be difficult to play on even if the rain stopped.  As I wrote last time, however, just showing up is an important part of recreating nineteenth-century baseball and once again this proved to be the case.  Not only did the rain stop, the sun shone and there were plenty of spectators to watch two well-played games on a dry field.  As usual, the opposition was the Enterprise Club of River Edge, a local team that plays nineteenth-century baseball so well they deserve full membership in the New Jersey vintage baseball community.  Led by Bob "Riverboat" Smith who has become a valued member of the Neshanock, the Enterprise will also play the Neshanock on August 18 in Greenwood Lake. 

A lot of history has been made at New Bridge Landing - all pictures by Mark Granieri

With a dramatically changed outlook for baseball, the first of two seven-inning games got underway with the Neshanock again losing the coin toss and going to the striker's line.  No tallies were recorded and the Enterprise Club struck quickly in their half, scoring twice for a 2-0 lead.  Scott "Snuffy" Hengst doubled to lead off the second and eventually scored cutting the margin in half.  Flemington tied the game in the top of the fourth on another titanic home run from Danny "Lefty" Gallagher.  Thomas "Hawk" Prioli followed with a double and scored on Jim "Jersey" Nunn's single to put Flemington ahead 3-2.  However, the local team quickly tied the score in the bottom of the inning and the game was 3-3 going to the bottom of the sixth.  

The Campbell - Christie House - built about 1774

With two out and a runner on first, the Enterprise striker hit an opposite-field home run giving the local team a two-run lead. The River Edge team retired the Neshanock in order in the seventh to close out a 5-3 win.  It was a well-played game with solid defense on both sides.  "Hawk" had two hits for Flemington and did his usual efficient job at short.  "Lefty" added some fine sliding catches of outfield bound outs to his second-inning home run.  "Jersey" acquitted himself well at second base, not his usual position, handling numerous force outs flawlessly.  The Neshanock are grateful to "Goldie" and "Wheels" of the Enterprise Club who filled in for some of our missing players.  Although only a seven-inning game, the contest took just 53 minutes, one of the quicker games in Neshanock history.  Thanks also to Jeff "Duke" Schneider, one of the many injured Neshanock, who nevertheless made the trip to support his teammates.  We look forward to his return next month.

It's not exactly Field of Dreams, but father and son, Jim and Chris Nunn enjoy a pre-game catch on the surprisingly dry field

Not wanting to tempt any possible return of the rain, the two teams quickly started the second game with Flemington in the field.  After retiring the local team without a tally, the Neshanock took a quick 1-0 lead on "Lefty's" second home run of the day.  The Enterprise tied the game in the top of the second, but, on a day when runs were hard to come by, the Neshanock recorded the biggest inning of the two games in the bottom of the third.  After Chris "Sideshow" Nunn singled, "Lefty" hit one nowhere near as far as either of his two home runs. The ball landed about 20 feet from the home plate, but it was so well placed he reached first safely.  It wasn't a line drive, even in the scorebook, but it was no less effective, all the same. That set the stage for "Hawk" to deliver a prodigious blast of his own, sending three runs across the plate.  This marks the second time "Lefty" and "Hawk" have homered in the same game.  

Andrew "Sun Dial" Moschella at the striker's line under the watchful eye of Sam Bernstein 

Over the next few innings, the River Edge team tallied twice while Flemington added one run for a 5-3 lead heading to the top of the seventh.  The Enterprise put their first two strikers on base, but "Sideshow" caught a fly ball in left and Mark "Gaslight" Granieri retired another batter on a bound out.  Unfortunately, the bound out moved the tying runs into scoring position.  The next striker hit one towards third which "Hawk" grabbed to give Flemington a well-earned 5-3 triumph.  "Sideshow" had three hits while "Gaslight" and "Lefty" each had two.  Thanks to "T-Bone" and "Wheels" of the Enterprise Club who played for Flemington.  "Wheels" made a key defensive contribution throwing a runner out at home.  Special recognition is also due to Andrew "Sun Dial" Moschella for his strong pitching performance in his initial start.  Once again, the game moved along very quickly, just a minute longer than the first contest.  

Bob "Riverboat" Smith speaks on behalf of the Enterprise Club

Like Ringwood Manor and Howell Living History Farm, the "field" at New Bridge Landing is far from ideal for baseball.  Had Abner Doubleday invented baseball, he would have been appalled by the ground rules required to play games at these venues.   But even though these fields aren't ideal, they are still perfect because the host organization provides the one thing the Neshanock can't bring to a game - spectators.  And fans aren't just a pleasant extra, they are essential for demonstrating how baseball was played in the early 1860s.  It's no accident that the Neshsanock has wonderful partners like these three organizations and so many others.  Almost 25 years ago when Brad "Brooklyn" Shaw founded the modern version of the Neshanock, he decided the team would play events rather than have a home field. It has proven to be one of his many wise if not splendiferous decisions.

Last, but far from least, the two teams salute the attentive and enthusiastic fans

Obviously, both the Neshanock and the host organization benefit from these games.  But I think the spectators get something more than a baseball history lesson. As baseball spread after the Civil War, it almost became a requirement for every community to have a team that regularly played teams from nearby towns.  This tradition or habit was a part of weekend community life that lasted until the 1950s if not later. Sadly, weekend games between local teams are part of the baseball world that we have lost.  Games like those on Saturday recreate not only how baseball was played in the 1860s, but also an experience that was part of everyday life for 75 years or more.  I've been doing this for quite some time, but I've never once heard a spectator say they didn't enjoy themselves, suggesting the need for that experience still exists.  And to meet that need, the Neshanock, New Bridge Landing and all our other partner organizations are perfect together!  

Where Credit is Due

While revising the Neshanock team brochure last winter, we thought it was important to include some basic baseball history.  In the process, I wondered if it was still necessary to say that Abner Doubleday didn't invent baseball or have anything to do with the game's beginnings.  After all the work that has been done, it felt like this was or should be common knowledge.  In the end, we included the standard disclaimer that no one person, including Doubleday, invented the game. Any doubts on the need were dispelled when Mark Granieri, the official blog photographer, saw the below sign in Mendham, New Jersey claiming Doubleday was baseball's "founder." It's wrong, wrong, wrong!  Not only is there no evidence Doubleday invented baseball, there's no record of Doubleday having played baseball. Indeed to my knowledge, there's no evidence Doubleday ever went to a major league baseball game. Yet the myth or legend endures.

Photo by Mark Granieri

Why does it matter?  First of all, historical accuracy always matters. Regardless of the subject, allowing inaccuracies to go unchallenged is never a good thing.  More importantly, however, what we might call "fake history," all too often gets in the way of what really happened and who deserves credit. In Doubleday's case, the baseball legend tends to block out his long and distinguished military career, especially during the Civil War. As much as we love baseball, Doubleday's service to the Union in its hour of need is without question far more important than anything he could have done for baseball.

Similarly, the Doubleday myth obscures the accomplishments of those who helped get organized baseball started in New York City in the 1830s and 1840s. At the heart of this effort were the early baseball clubs. While they weren't the first baseball club, a great deal of credit is due to the Knickerbocker Club of New York City.  Of special note among the KBBC leadership is Daniel "Doc" Adams, long-time club president.  Adams is, according to John Thorn, the Official Historian of Major League Baseball, the game's "most important figure not yet in the Hall of Fame."

Adams's contributions to baseball are thoroughly explained in Thorn's landmark work  Baseball in the Garden of Eden and on the Doc Adams website. Noteworthy by itself is how Adams "added" the shortstop's position to what was then an eight-man game.  In addition, he was instrumental in making baseball a game of nine players, playing for nine innings on 90-foot base paths.  Any of these contributions is worthy of historical recognition, but despite his record, the good doctor is not in the Hall of Fame.

After coming close the last time he was eligible, Adams is up for consideration again this year, under less than favorable conditions.  Under the current rules, Adams is part of the Classic Baseball Era which covers anyone active before 1980. To make the possibilities even more limited, there will be only eight candidates from well over a century of baseball history on the ballot.  It's a steep mountain to climb, but Adams' record and the importance of historical accuracy make it worth the effort.  No one has any illusions about the difficulty of the task, but perhaps this time credit will be given where credit is long overdue.  

Showing Up

Someone once gave me a button with the saying "Showing up is 70% of life."  The percentage may not reach that level for recreating nineteenth-century baseball, but it's high enough.  Sometimes honoring a commitment to play a game is important because of the host organization - typically a historical site that hosts the game to attract visitors.  On other occasions, the issue is enabling a multi-team event to take place, especially for teams that travel long distances to play.  Obviously, for teams to show up, players have to show up.  Thus far in 2024, more than any season I can remember, the Neshanock has been plagued by injuries, making fielding a team very challenging.  Fortunately, enough players have done what's necessary for Flemington to honor its commitments and that was especially true this past weekend at the Elizabeth Resolutes History Weekend in Rahway River Park.

And we are underway at Rahway River Park - unless otherwise noted all photos by Mark Granieri

First up on Saturday morning was a match with our long-time friends and inter-state rivals the Monmouth Furnace Club.  Monmouth won the coin toss and sent Flemington to the striker's line, setting a pattern for the weekend.  The Neshanock managed one tally which Monmouth easily eclipsed with four in their own half of the inning.  The inning was a portent of things to come. Solid Monmouth defense, especially in the outfield, limited the Neshanock offense while the Furnace managed enough runs to maintain a comfortable lead.  The end result was a 9-5 Monmouth victory, the first time the Furnance has ever beaten the Neshanock.  

Although he missed this pitch (see lower left), Matt "Fly" Nunn had eight hits on the weekend - all well-placed

Without question, the Monmouth victory was well-earned and thoroughly deserved.  In fact, the margin would have been even greater had it not been for some excellent Neshanock defense, beginning with two fine plays by Jason Blazakis. Jason is a member of the new Logan Club that is being put together by Sam "Ewing" Ricco and Scott "Snuffy" Hengst. We were fortunate to have Jason with us, but unfortunately, as seems to be the case this season, Jason suffered a leg injury late in the game.  We wish him a full and speedy recovery.  Also noteworthy were three well-played bound-out catches by Chris "Lowball" Lowry in right, Mark "Gaslight" Granieri at catcher and Bob "Riverboat" Smith while pitching.  

Founded in 1999 at Old Bethpage Village, the birthplace of vintage baseball, the New York Mutuals, under the leadership of Tom "Big-Bat" Feslowich recreate one of the most important clubs of early organized baseball

The Neshanock's second game of the day was with the Mutual Club of New York, limited to five innings due to time constraints.  It's been a long time since Flemington has played the Mutuals and it was good to be on the field with them. Once again the Neshanock went first to the striker's line and this time managed two tallies.  Unfortunately, the lead was again short-lived as the Mutuals batted around and scored eight times.  The New York team enjoyed the experience so much that they repeated it in the second inning, this time scoring four times.  Flemington did rally for four tallies in the third, but it was too big a hole to climb out of and the Mutuals prevailed 17-7.  Matt "Fly" Nunn, Dave "Illinois" Harris and Sam "Ewing" Ricco had two hits apiece.  For "Ewing" it was his second two-hit game of the day.  Noteworthy on defense was Ken "Tumbles" Mandel in left field who showed impressive range tracking down three fly balls on the bound.

Neshanock field captain, Chris "Lowball" Lowry retreats safely to first base

Saturday's results were frustrating and the games didn't get any easier on Sunday with matches against the Providence Grays and the Bovina Dairymen.  First up were the Grays, another team the Neshanock hadn't played in many years.  Like the Mutuals, Providence is a good team that puts the highest priority on historical accuracy. We were glad to have some reinforcements, Neshanock regulars along with J.P. and Joe Prioli, two of the invaluable Prioli brothers.  As usual, Flemington went first to the striker's line and quickly put three tallies across the plate.  After Providence got one back, Flemington struck again for four runs, highlighted by Thomas "Hawk" Prioli's three-run home run.  While there were no more big Neshanock innings, Flemington kept adding runs, while limiting the Grays' offense en route to a 14-6 victory.

The Providence Grays were formed in 1998 in honor of the 1884 National League Championship Grays.  Under the leadership of Brian Travers, they are the oldest New England vintage baseball team

The Neshanock attack was led by J. P. Prioli with four hits, one more than older brother "Hawk" who added a double to his home run.  Also hitting safely three times were Scott "Snuffy" Hengst and Matt "Fly" Nunn.  Adding two hits apiece were Chris "Lowball" Lowry, Joe "Mick" Murray and Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta.  As solid a game as Flemington had on offense, the defense was equally impressive.  "Lowball" and Bobby "Melky" Ritter pitched effectively with "Melky" ending one inning by plucking a Providence line drive out of mid-air.  Behind them, the Neshanock played flawless defense without a single muff and recorded two double plays.  All in all, it was one of Flemington's best games, especially against such a worthy foe.

Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta at the striker's line against Providence - photo by Kelly Prioli

After a brief break, the Neshanock got back on the field for the last game of the weekend, our first time playing the Bovina Dairymen.  For the fourth straight game, the Neshanock went first to the striker's line (clearly more practice is needed for both bat tosses and coin flips) and tallied twice.  Bovina matched that and added one in the bottom of the inning, but Flemington tied the game in the top of the second.  The game was tied 3-3 going to the bottom of the third when Bovina took a lead it would not relinquish.  Flemington's defense kept the game within reach but Bovina prevailed 13-4.  The New York team lived up to their reputation as a fine team both at bat and in the field.  Although Flemington's run total was limited "Lowball," "Fly," "Mick" and "O'Neill" each had two hits.  We are also grateful to Jason "Dill" Levinn and Brian "Powder" Carroll of the Brandywine Club who helped us play our fourth game in two days.

A Bovina striker and Scott "Snuffy" Hengst under the watchful eye of umpire Lawrence Major - photo by Kelly Prioli

Running a multiple-team event is never easy, but due to circumstances beyond his control, Craig Combs of the Resolutes had more challenges than anyone should have to deal with.  Craig did a masterful job of adjusting on the fly to enable teams that had traveled a long distance to get the baseball experience they signed up for.  The Neshanock are grateful to him for his efforts in making the weekend happen.  

Founded in 2008 and currently led by Nick Frandsen, the Bovina Dairymen honor the long baseball history of Delaware County, New York - photo by Kelly Prioli

This post began with a discussion of showing up as a responsibility.  But showing up also has its own rewards.  That was certainly the case during Sunday morning's game with Providence, not just because of the victory, but because of how the Neshanock played.  High-quality play both at bat and in the field, especially against a good team, doesn't happen very often which makes the experience uniquely enjoyable.  Part of what makes baseball such a great game is that such games can happen when we least expect them.  Which is why showing up is always worthwhile.

Must Be Remembered

All other pictures courtesy of Catherine Prioli

Since Saturday was our last chance to see Sophie Zinn before she heads off to summer camp and since, in my world, grandchildren outrank almost everything, I didn't participate in Saturday's Neshanock - Monmouth Furnace match.  Usually, when this happens, Mark "Gaslight" Granieri fills in as a guest blogger, but unfortunately, he was on the injured list after his legendary performance at Howell Living History Farm.  Fortunately, though, we have even more depth at the photographer's position than I knew as Catherine Prioli captured the game action and more.  Thanks, to her, and, while I'm thanking Priolis, special thanks to Nick and J.P. Prioli who once again manfully filled in when the Neshanock were shorthanded.  Thanks also to Tom MacNamara who made his Neshanock debut.  It was a close game with Flemington ultimately prevailing 20-14.  

Field Captain, Chris "Lowball" Lowry ponders the striking order

Scott "Snuffy" Hengst at the striker's line

Old habits die hard, Matt "Fly" Nunn remembers that in 1864 over running first base was not an option

Having regained the base, "Fly" isn't going anyplace

Thomas "Hawk" Prioli strikes with authority

The Prioli brothers, (left to right, Nick, "Hawk" and J.P.) head to the field

Secure in Daddy's arm, Julia Prioli surveys the field

Thanks to Russ McIver and the Monmouth Club for hosting the Neshanock at this historic venue

Thanks to the good offices of the Monmouth Club, the match was played at Memorial Field in Belmar at the Jersey shore. The Neshanock have had the good fortune to play at a number of historical venues and Memorial Field is special in that regard.  During the 1930s, the Belmar Braves, the local semi-pro team, hosted a number of the great Negro League players who are finally getting their long overdue recognition, recognition denied them, solely because of the color of their skin.  Among those who played in Belmar were 12 members of the Baseball Hall of Fame, now recognized by the plaque pictured above.  The plaque is the result of the hard work of Spencer Heulitt and the Belmar Historical Society who recovered a story that had been lost. Thanks to them and local officials the story has been not just remembered, but preserved.  It was a privilege for the Neshanock to play at Memorial Field and to honor the great players who held forth there so many years ago.   

Something Old, Something New

Unless otherwise noted, all pictures by Mark Granieri

Thanks to consistently bad weather, the Neshanock didn't get on the field much in May and when we did, it was in less than favorable conditions.  If Saturday at the Howell Living History Farm was any indication, however, we're heading in the right direction weatherwise.  Plenty of sunshine along with moderate temperatures made for what was definitely "a most splendiferous day for baseball" and a visit to one of our favorite venues.  It was also a unique opportunity to be on the field with the "old" and the "new" of New Jersey vintage baseball.  Saturday was the first 2024 match for the Elizabeth Resolutes, as the state’s senior vintage club began its 25th season.  Helping out the Resolutes were some members of New Jersey’s newest nineteenth-century club, the Logan Club of Lambertville, more about them later.

Part of the crowd that enjoyed two games in perfect baseball weather

Left to right, Scott "Snuffy" Hengst, Jason Blazakis and Sam "Ewing" Ricco of the Logan Club - photo by Filomena Hengst

Today’s event featured two seven-inning games, one by 1864 rules, followed by a contest using the 1870 rule book.  The Resolutes/Logan team won the more historically accurate coin toss and chose to strike first. They put their opportunity at the striker's line to good use, tallying twice, but the Neshanock quickly scored three times. Flemington then kept Elizabeth off the scoreboard for the next two innings while adding four more tallies for a 7-2 lead, heading to the top of the fourth.  Any complacency on the Neshanock side evaporated quickly as nine hits led to seven tallies and a 9-7 Elizabeth/Lambertville lead.

The big challenge in setting the ground rules was what to do with the large tree, far right, that took up almost all of right field

After some discussion it was decided that any ball hit into the tree on the fly was an out, enabling Ernie "Shredder" Albanesius to record one of the most unusual putouts in baseball history

Their lead did not last long, however.  Bobby “Melky” Ritter walked and three straight hits by Chris  “Lowball” Lowry, Danny “Lefty” Gallagher and Thomas “Hawk” Prioli produced three Flemington runs and a 10-9 Neshanock lead.  A double by Rene “Mango” Marrero and a single from Mark “Gaslight” Granieri added two more tallies and Flemington led 12-9 after four innings.  The Resolutes went out in order in the fifth and consecutive home runs by “Lefty” and “Hawk” keyed another five run inning, putting the Neshanock fully in control.  Solid defense supported the pitching of “Melky” and Bob “Riverboat” Smith to keep Elizabeth/Lambertville off the scoreboard the rest of the way and Flemington prevailed 17-9.

 

 

The Neshanock were glad to welcome back Joe "Mick" Murray from the injured list - photo by Rene Marerro

The Neshanock attack was led by  “Lefty” and “Hawk” both of whom had four hits with each hitting a home run and two doubles. In the process, they both earned clear scores. Also contributing two doubles was “Mango."  Another noteworthy double was a prodigious clout off the bat of Ken “Tumbles” Mandel, over the center fielder’s head, possibly the longest hit of the Neshanock veteran's long and colorful career.  Joining “Tumbles” and “Mango” in the two hit group were Chris “Lowball” Lowry and Mark “Gaslight” Granieri.  “Gaslight” would have earned a clear score, but uncharacteristically for the usually wiley baserunner, he managed to get picked off first base.  We were delighted to welcome Joe “Mick” Murray back from the injured list and hope he can play on a regular basis going forward.

As Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta strikes the ball, Thomas "Hawk" Prioli breaks for home

After a break, highlighted by lunch supplied by our generous hosts, the 1870 game got underway with Flemington at the striker's line.  "Lefty" made his only out of the day, but four straight hits drove in three Neshanock tallies.   Flemington added five more tallies in the top of the second and the  Neshanock lead grew to 15-4 heading to the Resolutes/Logan's last at bat. While it may have seemed beyond reach,  no lead is safe in 1870s baseball.  That was proved once again as the Elizabeth/Lambertville strikers belted one hit after another, tallying nine times before the Neshanock finally closed out a 15-13 victory.  "Mango" led the Flemington attack with four hits including two doubles, giving him a six-hit day along with flawless play at first base. "Lefty," "Hawk" and "O'Neill" each had three hits with "Hawk" earning his second clear score.  "Gaslight" and "Riverboat" had two hits apiece.  

One of the most sickening moments in nineteenth-century baseball - Chris "Lowball" Lowry realizes he's about to be put out on a foul tip by catcher Scott "Snuffy" Hengst off of a Craig Combs pitch

While there was no shortage of hard-hitting at the striker's line, there were also some interesting plays in the field and on the bases.  In the second game, "Hawk" made an especially manly catch of a line drive while Ernie "Shredder" Albanesius, thanks to the unusual ground rules, recorded a put-out without touching the ball.  Even more unique was "Gaslight's" performance.  After getting picked off first in the opening game, he had to leave that game due to an injury.  However, he manfully returned for the second contest, proclaiming he "was as good a player as he ever was."  Then to prove it, he quickly managed to get thrown out attempting to steal second.  He did, however, somewhat offset those blunders from his catcher's position, first by tricking an unsuspecting baserunner and then even more unusually throwing out a runner attempting to steal.  Gaslight manages the latter feat somewhat infrequently. It's probably not as rare as an unassisted triple play or a perfect game, but it's not something many baseball fans have witnessed.

After another splendiferous day of nineteenth-century baseball at Howell Farm, Ken "Tumbles" Mandel waves goodbye for the Neshanock - photo by Rene Marerro

Saturday was a time to honor the past and anticipate the future of vintage baseball in New Jersey.  The Resolutes' 25th season is quite an accomplishment for the state’s senior club.  We wish them well the rest of the way and look forward to being part of their history weekend at the end of June.  At the other end of the spectrum is the Logan Club of Lambertville, the project of Sam “Ewing” Ricco and Scott “Snuffy” Hengst of the Neshanock.  While continuing to play for Flemington, “Ewing” and “Snuffy” plan to recreate this 1865 club by playing six to eight games a season.  It’s an important project as New Jersey is now down to four vintage clubs.  In baseball’s pre-professional era, 1855 to 1870, almost 2400 baseball clubs were formed in New Jersey, second only to New York.  A state with that rich baseball history needs and deserves more teams to preserve and tell the story.  Here’s to the Logan Club becoming an important part of that effort.

Around the Bases with the Neshanock

In the last two posts, I used an 1862 box score developed by Tim Anstett to report game statistics in a format that would have been familiar to Civil War era baseball fans.  Unlike modern box scores that emphasize hits, the primary offensive statistic is runs.  According to Peter Morris in A Game of Inches, this is because early baseball box scores were based on formats used in cricket.  I also recall reading somewhere that when a baseball player reached base, it was considered his responsibility to make his way home - thus the emphasis on runs, not hits.  Be that as it may, regardless of the era, making one's way around the bases doesn't just happen.  On Memorial Day, (before the rain), Lauren Marchese Nunn used her creative eye and photography skills to capture some of the Neshanock on their Odysseus-like efforts to return home safely.

Since under 1864 rules, batters can't overrun first base, sliding in, as Matt "Fly" Nunn does here, can be an effective way to begin the journey.

"Not everyone who wanders is lost," wiley Neshock veteran Mark "Gaslight" Granieri lulls the defense into a false sense of security before taking off for second.

Having already victimized an opposing baserunner with the hidden ball trick, Tom "Thumbs" Hoepfner isn't taking anything for granted.

Jim "Jersey" Nunn keeps a watchful eye for the ball while heading towards third.

His journey almost complete, Chris "Sideshow" Nunn heads home.