Saturday was not only the Neshanock's first visit to Washington Borough, it was also the first time Flemington played consecutive games on fields with covered grandstands. Although these structures were once commonplace throughout New Jersey, only a handful appear to have survived. Things must come in threes because this was also the first time I remember having to align a defense with only a few experienced infielders. Fortunately, our outfielders, pitchers and catchers manfully stepped up to the plate, or in our case, the striker's line. The match was hosted by the Washington Borough Business Improvement District. Thanks to them and our opponents, the Warren Hills High School varsity baseball team. It was a pleasure to play on this historic field before a large and appreciative crowd. We hope to make this a regular stop on the Neshanock's annual baseball journey.
Flemington won the coin toss and opted to put its new defensive alignment on the field first. Leading the way at short was local resident, Gregg "Burner" Wiseburn, who helped hold the Hills squad scoreless in the first. The Neshanock tallied twice in the bottom of the inning, but Warren Hills got one back in the top of the second. Both teams chipped away and as Flemington came up in the bottom of the fourth, the Neshanock led, but only by a single run. However, with one out, four straight Flemington batters hit safely and the Neshanock were on their way to a five run inning and a 9-2 lead. Meanwhile back in the field, Flemington's makeshift defense held up its end of the bargain, keeping the local team scoreless for the next three innings. By that point the Neshanock led 16-2 in route to a 17-6 victory. It was the local high school squad's first attempt at 1864 baseball and they put forth a manly effort.
The Flemington offense was led by the other local lad, Mark "Gaslight" Granieri who had three hits including a prodigious double. Also contributing three hits were Jeff "Duke" Schneider, Andrew "Scoop" Moschella and Jim "Jersey" Nunn. Adding two hits apiece were Chris "Sideshow" Nunn, Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta and Danny "Lefty" Gallagher. "Lefty's" two hits were also prodigious - a triple and a double with the bases loaded. Once again Flemington got solid pitching from Bobby "Melky" Ritter, Dave "Illinois" Harris and Bob "Riverboat" Smith. The Neshanock were pleased to welcome back our favorite umpire Sam "It ain't nothing until I say" Bernstein. Unfortunately Flemington suffered another injury, this time to Don Becker in his second game as a Neshanock. We hope both he and Joe "Mick" Murray who was injured last week recover quickly.
Most of those present on Saturday, were introduced to baseball as children, something that usually happens at two levels - fan and player. As fans, we start rooting for a major league team, frequently following our parents example, beginning allegiances that often last a lifetime. To some degree rooting for a major league team also means inheriting that team's history, both the good and the bad. In my case, it was the Brooklyn Dodgers and there was plenty of heartbreaking baggage that came with being a Brooklyn fan. Playing, however, is a different matter. Most of us begin playing youth baseball in a local community like Washington. None of us, I think it's safe to say, do so, having any sense of the baseball history of that community. But our first experiences playing organized baseball wouldn't have been possible if someone hadn't introduced the game to the town, village or city, years, decades or, in some cases a century ago.
All this came to mind after consecutive games in Lambertville, Clinton and Washington - three towns with no shortage of baseball history. By playing in such places, the Neshanock not only demonstrate how the early game was played, we can also remind local residents of their community's often forgotten baseball past. Although some people in Washington, for example, are aware that Joe Pepitone hit a mammoth home run there, my guess is very few knew Ty Cobb played in their hometown. And even fewer, perhaps no one, know that in 1866, Washington was home to not one, but three baseball clubs. Not bad for a place that then had a total population of less than 2000 residents. What's really important here is that these three towns aren't unique. Many communities throughout New Jersey have a baseball history all their own - a history the Neshanock can help preserve. It's something to consider in future schedule making.
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