For the most part, vintage baseball is about doing an old thing (1860s baseball) in the same way, often at the same places. On Saturday in Lambertville, the Flemington Neshanock not only did the old thing at a new place, but, far more importantly, in a new way. When we began discussing with the Lambertville Historical Society, the possibility of playing in this historic Delaware River community, we explored the idea with some of our traditional opponents. Unfortunately, none were available for this date so we decided to try something new - fielding both teams. Although the Neshanock have occasionally done something similar when the opponent lacked sufficient numbers, this is the first time, at least in my tenure, that both teams were intentionally made up of Neshanock players plus assorted family and friends.
With that decided, the next question was how to add an historical twist to the game. The place to start was clearly with the Logan Club, Lambertville's first team, formed in 1865. One possibility was to recreate an 1866 game when the powerful Athletic Club of Philadelphia visited Lambertville and routed the local team 120 to 17. While that seems a shockingly one-sided outcome to us today, as noted in a prior post, the Philadelphia team regularly visited local teams with similar results. After some further thought, however, it seemed it would be better to recreate a game between the Logan Club and their 1860s rival, none other than the Flemington Neshanock themselves. The two clubs' first match in September of 1866, began as a back-and-forth affair with the Lambertville team leading 16-12 after three innings. However, when the Logans outscored Flemington 10-1 in the fourth, the rout was on, ending in a 77-35 win for the Lambertville team.
Doing something new in a new place, brings more than a little uncertainty. Many times, just fielding one team difficult and what if we play the game, but no one comes to watch. In this case, any such fears quickly proved groundless. A total of 25 players turned out for the match, watched by an estimated 150, very interested spectators - all that we could have asked for. Tom "Thumbs" Hoepfner, captain of the Neshanock won the bat toss, sending the Logan Club, captained by Chris "Lowball" Lowry to the striker's line. The local team got off to a quick start and led 5-2 after three innings. Flemington battled back in the fourth, however, tying the game at 5-5. Although the Logan Club again took the lead in the top of the sixth, it proved short lived as the Neshanock tallied nine times for a commanding 14-6 lead. Flemington added three more in the eighth in route to a 17-7 victory, gaining some measure of revenge, a mere 157 years later, for the 1866 debacle.
The Neshanock attack was led by Kevin Makely, Thomas "Hawk" Prioli, Nick Prioli and Jim "Jersey" Nunn with three hits apiece. "Hawk" also made one of game's best defensive plays, gunning down a Logan runner trying to steal second. "Thumbs," Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta and Dan "Sledge" Hammer each had two hits. The local team also had four strikers with three hits apiece - Danny "Lefty" Gallagher, Sam "Ewing" Ricco, Dave "Illinois" Harris and Scott "Snuffy" Hengst. "Snuffy" also contributed a defensive gem of his own, grabbing a vicious line drive off of "Sledge's" bat. Contributing two hits each for the Logan Club were Jeff "Duke" Schneider, Andrew Moschella and Meshack Desane. The game marked the return of both "Snuffy" and Meshack to the Neshanock, or in this case Logan Club, lineup and it was great to have them back.
Both "Snuffy" and "Ewing" are Lambertville residents and their contributions in making the game a success are very much appreciated. Thanks also to the three Prioli's - Nick, J.P. and Joe, who helped us out as they have on multiple other occasions. Playing for the first time were Kevin Makely, Mike Moschella and Brian Thomas, we hope to see them on the field again. Also keeping the game run smoothly was wily, and injured, Neshanock veteran Mark "Gaslight" Granieri whose performance as umpire "gave satisfaction to all." Up to any challenge, "Gaslight" also provided an ample supply of pictures for this post. Thanks again to our hosts - the Lambertville Historical Society and the city of Lambertville. They and we hope to make this an annual event.
Saturday was also a reminder of the importance of the Neshanock's many partnerships with New Jersey historical organizations. Over half of Flemington's fourteen 2023 "home" dates are either at or on behalf of such groups. These include state facilities like Ringwood Manor State Park, county sponsored venues such as Howell Living History Farm and local sites like the Dey Farm. Other important partners include the Historical Society of Princeton and the Bergen County Historical Society. In 2023, we've been fortunate to add the Lambertville Historical Society and Historic Smithville Park as well as returning to the Fosterfields Living History Farm. Our historical partners provide something essential to teaching how nineteenth century baseball was played - an audience. This extensive use of partnerships is no accident - it's one of the many ways Neshanock founder Brad "Brooklyn" Shaw got the club started on such a sound basis. Thanks to Brad and to all our partners, past, present and future.
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