Gettysburg 2023

Design, intelligent or otherwise, seldom plays a part in the topics or themes chosen for this blog.  Like the game of baseball, they tend to evolve.  This year, for whatever reason, the primary theme has been the challenges faced in playing vintage baseball games such as player shortages and fields not intended for baseball.  Major events, like the 2023 Gettysburg National 19th Century Baseball Festival present their own unique set of challenges.  Just one example is the annual tournament t-shirt order, an aspect of the event where the Neshanock have to be among the leaders in shirts ordered.  Imagine sorting through 32 t-shirts to be sure there is the correct distribution of sizes and then getting the proper number of shirts to each player and you get some idea of the experience.  Learning from the past, this year, at least, I got an early start and completed the task before our first game on Saturday.

Schroder Farm on the eve - All other pictures by Mark Granieri

Handling the t-shirt order, of course, pales in comparison with all the tasks facing the Elkton Eclipse Club, the founders and operators of the event.  Bruce Leith, Tom "Schoolboy" Duffy and Les Blackburn, along with the rest of the Maryland team, have made the Gettysburg festival one of the best vintage baseball events in the country - no easy task.  Playing in the heat is one thing, laying out five baseball fields, in the same conditions cannot be a pleasant experience.  Even before that a schedule has to be put designed so that 30 teams can play four games over two days with as many games as possible between teams who don't regularly play each other.  The Neshanock are especially grateful that this year we got to play four teams whom we have never or seldom played.

Pregame discussion of the ground rules

First up, under a blistering noontime sun, were the Georgetown Gentlemen from Kentucky - not only a first time Neshanock opponent, but a first time participant in the festival.  It's not easy being a first timer in such a well-established event and to their credit the Kentuckians proved worthy of their team name.  Striking first, the Georgetown team tallied once, but the rally was cut short by a fine throw by shortstop Tom "Thumbs" Hoepfner and tag by catcher Mark "Gaslight" Granieri to end the inning.  Flemington tallied five times in the bottom of the first, but the Gentlemen scored three times in the second in what was initially a back-and-forth contest.  Leading only 8-6 going to the bottom of the fourth, the Neshanock offense erupted for seven runs, taking charge in route to a 22-7 win.  

We're underway!

Three Flemington strikers recorded  clear scores, led by Danny "Lefty" Gallagher who had two home runs to go along with a single.  Joe "Mick" Murray and Gregg "Burner" Wiseburn also had three hit clear scores.  After that came a veritable hit parade of Dan "Sledge" Hammer, "Thumbs," Sam "Ewing" Ricco, "Gaslight," Ken "Tumbles" Mandel and Tony Panera with two hits each.  Although the Neshanock defense got off to a shaky start, things improved throughout the match behind the solid pitching of Dave "Illinois" Harris and Chris "Lowball" Lowry.  The Georgetown Club added a new twist to the post game ceremonies by having each gentlemen introduce himself.  Lest we ever think people don't pay attention during the post game ceremonies, after a later game, 10 year old Charlie Hoepfner quickly noticed when one party was left out of the acknowledgements.  Of course, Charlie's baseball astuteness is no surprise since when only seven, he caught an error in the Baseball Hall of Fame's yearbook.

Chris "Lowball" Lowry pitches for the Neshanock

With one game in the books, in the Neshanock had some time to rest and rehydrate (even scorekeepers get dehydrated at Gettysburg).  Next came a game with the Westfield Wheelmen, a very good team from Massachusetts.  It proved to be, at least to me, one of the most memorable matches in Neshanock history, but it certainly didn't start out that way.  Striking first, the Wheelmen tallied four times with the only Neshanock answer the now seemingly obligatory home run from "Lefty." Neither team scored over the next two innings, but Westfield added a tally in the fourth and two in the fifth.  The Massachusetts team easily could have had more in the third, but for two stellar defense plays by the Neshanock.  First, "Sledge" at first stopped what looked like a Wheelmen hit and then retired the striker thanks to a fine catch by Tony who covered first from his position at second base. Tony then made a brilliant stop of his own for the final out of the inning.

Joe "Mick" Murray in a Field of Dreams like atmosphere

Even so, the Neshanock trailed 7-1 going to the bottom of the fifth, Westfield having retired nine straight Flemington strikers.  The streak reached ten before Chis "Sideshow" Nunn singled, bring up "Lefty" who already had three home runs on the day.  Did he add another circuit clout?  He did not, instead "blasting" one about 50 feet and probably at least 75 feet high.  It was, however, placed out of the reach of the Wheelmen defenders and instead of the inning being almost over, Flemington had two on and only one out.  "Sledge" promptly doubled home both runners and scored himself a few minutes later on "Thumbs" double, closing the gap to 7-4.  Rallies like this are not uncommon, with the trailing team getting close, but not close enough.  This time was different, however, as the next seven Neshanock  strikers singled and when the inning finally ended, Flemington had an improbable 9-7 lead.

  Gregg "Burner" Wiseburn in total control behind the plate

The Neshanock added four more runs, including, of course, another home run by "Lefty,"  but while welcome, none of them were needed.  After allowing, seven runs in five innings, Flemington kept the Massachusetts club off the scoreboard the rest of the way.  Among the defensive contributors were Abby Zall who turned in a solid performance at second base and "Burner" who made two outstanding catches of foul balls on the bounce.  Seldom in team history have the Neshanock made such a comeback against a high quality opponent.  "Lefty" and "Mick" earned their second clear scores of the day while "Sledge," "Thumbs," "Ewing," and Ernie "Shredder" Albanesius had two hits apiece.  Once again, "Lowball" and "Illinois" turned in effective pitching performances. 

Left to right - Tom "Thumbs" Hoephner, Tony Panera and Chris "Sideshow" Nunn

The only downside to Saturday's success was an injury to Neshanock catcher and field general, Mark "Gaslight" Granieri that severely limited his play on Sunday.  Fortunately, it had no impact on his ability to take pictures for the blog.  Ken "Tumbles" Mandel, manfully stepped in at catcher and recorded one of the highlights of Sunday's first game when he threw out one of the Canal Dover Redleg players trying to steal.  The Ohio club won the coin toss and sent the Neshanock to the striker's line where a combination of Flemington hits and some muffs gave the Neshanock an early 6-0 lead.  Flemington led 10-1 after three and put the game out of reach in the fourth with the second and third highlights of the match.  

Danny "Lefty" Gallagher's home run stance proved highly effective

The first highlight, ranked by uniqueness, was "Tumbles" throwing out a runner trying to steal.  Next came a Neshanock first - three Nunns on base simultaneously, with Jim "Jersey" Nunn at third ahead of sons, Matt "Fly" and "Sideshow."  The moment didn't last long since "Lefty" quickly cleared the bases with a grand slam home run. Since it was his fifth home run of the weekend, it wasn't exactly unique although very welcome.  The final score was 17-6 with "Ewing" leading the Neshanock with three hits, followed by "Sideshow," "Lefty," "Thumbs," "Illinois," "Shredder," "Jersey" and "Fly" with two each.  Since "Sideshow" also reached base courtesy of two muffs, he had the Neshanock's only clear score of the match.  We were grateful to have a chance to play the Ohio club and hope to see them again at Gettyburg.

Dan "Sledge" Hammer holds a Mountain Athletic Club runner close to first

With three games in the renown Neshanock scorebook, Flemington's part of the festival ended as it began - a game under the midday Gettysburg sun.  The final match was against another strong team, the Mountain Athletic Club from Fleischmanns, New York.  Flemington got off to a quick 3-0 lead, but the Mountain Club matched that with three of their own in the second.  The game remained tied 3-3 until the top of the fifth when the Neshanock got runners on base, but failed to score.  The team from Fleischmanns took full advantage of the missed opportunity, tallying five times for an 8-3 advantage.  Flemington rallied manfully in the sixth, closing to within 8-6, but it wasn't enough especially when the Mountain Club added three more insurance runs for an 11-6 victory.  The New York team played well throughout especially on defense, not making a single muff.  I was also grateful to have a chance to speak with Collin Miller of the MAC about possible future collaborations.

Thanks to the Roller Out the Barrel Podcast, the Neshanock scorebook has attracted interest from players and fans alike

And so about 2:00 on Sunday, the 2023 Gettysburg Festival came to an end for the Flemington Neshanock.  Winning three out of four matches equaled our previous best record in the event which was obviously very rewarding.  It's also safe to say we will treasure, perhaps even more, the friendships made and renewed - symbolized by some heartfelt words, handshakes and hugs with those we may not see again for another year.  After literally taking down the tents, we began the long ride home.  About 5:30 when Carol and I were nearing the New Jersey state line, the final games back in Gettysburg were over and all players had left.  Well, not all.  The Elkton Eclipse were still there turning five baseball fields back into a horse farm, doubtless already thinking about possible improvements for 2024.  Well played gentleman - well played indeed!