On October 2, 1867, the Eureka Base Ball Club of Newark traveled to Brooklyn's Union Grounds for a match against the Mutual Club of New York. The trip was simultaneously long and short. Short because the distance was only about 20 miles, but long due to the multiple means of transportation required to travel that short distance. After taking the train from Newark to Jersey City, the small Eureka party boarded a ferry to cross the Hudson River. Upon arrival in lower Manhattan, they took some kind of horse drawn conveyance to the East River where another ferry ride awaited them. Once in Brooklyn, the Newarkers still had to take another horse drawn vehicle to reach the Union Grounds where a crowd of paying customers awaited them. As they made their way, the Eureka party must have been glad the trip was almost over, but, at the same time, weren't looking forward to getting there.
The mixed feelings were due to the prospect of being shorthanded for a match against one of the country's best teams. Although the Eureka had been New Jersey's premier baseball club, by 1867 their fortunes had declined largely because they consistently had a hard time fielding a team. On this early fall day, the Eureka arrived with just six players for a game the fans had paid for and expected to see. Although the Eureka offered to forfeit, the offer was declined probably because the Mutuals knew they had an obligation to their paying customers. Instead, the home team agreed to play a "scrub game" and allow the Eureka to fill out their lineup with Patterson and Swandell of the Eckford Club and a man named Kelly from their own ranks. Although both men from the Eckford were considered competent players, "everyone supposed that the Mutuals had a sure thing" against what the New York World dubbed "Eureka & Co." Then as now, however, overconfidence is never a good thing and the "& Co." boys earned a come from behind 21-18 victory.
Arriving at a game shorthanded is a feeling every vintage baseball team knows all too well. On Sunday, it was the Neshanock's turn when the email and text responses indicated many of Flemington's regulars weren't available for two games against the Elizabeth Resolutes at Ringwood Manor State Park. The park has been a long time supporter of vintage baseball and the game regularly attracts one of the largest crowds of the season. As a result, just like that long ago game in Brooklyn, canceling was not an option. Fortunately, Flemington was able to form "Neshanock & Co., by adding Tino Vega, grandson of Flemington's Dave "Illinois" Harris who acquitted himself admirably. This is believed to be the first time that a grandfather and grandson played together for the Neshanock (Huzzah)! The first game was played by 1864 rules and the Neshanock got off to a quick start, tallying four times in the top of the first. Elizabeth responded with one in their half, five more in the second and one in the fifth to lead 7-5 after five innings.
Flemington was not done however, rallying to tie the game in the top of the sixth and keeping the Resolutes off the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning. When the Neshanock put runners on second and third with none out in the top of seventh, things looked good for Flemington. Sadly, however, the Neshanock didn't score and, as is almost always the case in baseball, failing to take an advantage of an opportunity proved fatal. Elizabeth wasted no time scoring the winning run in the bottom of the seventh for a hard earned 8-7 victory. Flemington's offense was led by Dave "Illinois" Harris with three hits, followed by Chris "Sideshow" Nunn, Dan "Sledge" Hammer and Tom "Hawk" Prioli with two apiece. In the process "Sledge" earned a clear score. "Hawk" also distinguished himself with a series of outstanding defensive plays at third.
After a short break the two teams returned to the field for a second seven inning game, this time by 1870 rules. The good news for the Flemington was the Neshanock offense put together a nine run inning. Unfortunately, the bad news was that it came after the Resolutes had an 18 run lead and were well on their way to a 24-11 win, the Neshanock's nine run eruption notwithstanding. Flemington was led on offense by Kyle "Rundown" Refalvy who had four hits. Nino, in just his second vintage game, earned a clear score by reaching base three times without being put out. Also noteworthy from the Flemington perspective was a three hit game by Bobby "Melky" Ritter along with two hits each from "Sledge" and Mark "Gaslight" Granieri. In the end, however, unlike the Eureka so many years ago, the "Neshanock & Co," didn't come away with a victory. But like their 1860s counterparts, they gave the fans what they came to see.
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