Back in Uniform

Earlier this year, when the Neshanock's schedule was being finalized, Russ McIver, Captain of the Monmouth Furnace Club, asked if Flemington would like to open the season at Allaire State Park on April 6.  Any hesitation on our part had nothing to do with the opponent or the venue.  The Monmouth Furnace Club strives for historical accuracy and always plays the game in a gentlemanly fashion.  And Allaire is not just a good baseball venue, but also a very nice state park.  The concern was early April New Jersey weather which has canceled more games than I care to remember. However, we decided to give it a try which didn't look like the best decision when Wednesday's Nor'easter was followed by Friday's earthquake. Fortunately, conditions improved enough for us to get on the field for an enjoyable and productive start to the 2024 season.  Especially rewarding was the good attendance - 13 players plus family, and friends, including at least one of the canine variety.

Unless otherwise noted all photos by Mark Granieri

Monmouth Furnace won the coin toss and sent the Neshanock to the striker's line.  Hits by Thomas "Hawk" Prioli and Dan "Sledge" Hammer led the way to Flemington's first three tallies of 2024.  After Monmouth Furnace got one back in the bottom of the inning, the Neshanock put together the first big inning of the season.  The bottom of the order got things started and the rest of the Flemington strikers did their part.  By the time the inning was over, the Neshanock had tallied eight times on ten hits.  In addition to the offensive production, Flemington played strong defense especially for so early in the season.  Monmouth Furnace also played good defense and rallied for five runs in the last few innings.  However, the Neshanock's early lead was too much to overcome and Flemington earned a 17-7 victory.

First pitch of the 2024 Season

The Flemington attack was led by "Hawk," "Sledge," Dave "Illinois" Harris, Matt "Fly" Nunn and Ken "Tumbles" Mandel, each of whom had four hits.  Ironically they all lost a clear score, not by making an out at the plate, but because they were retired on the bases.  Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta had three hits while Jeff "Duke" Schneider and Scott "Snuffy" Hengst had two each.  "Snuffy" also had a solid defensive game, recording eight putouts, five in left field and three at catcher.  The most noteworthy defensive play occurred in the seventh inning when a Monmouth Furnace striker tried to stretch a double into a triple.  "Hawk" unleashed a strong, but high throw that "Tumbles" somehow plucked from mid-air and tagged the unsuspecting baserunner.  Bob "Riverboat" Smith pitched the first few innings before leaving due to what may be the most unusual excuse in vintage baseball history - he had to call Bingo for a group of Nuns! 

The Neshanock were very pleased to welcome back Paul Sallee, one of our alumni, pictured with Chris "Lowball" Lowry.  "Lowball" is wearing Carhartt pants, a new look that we are experimenting with.  The pants were well received.

Saturday was the first time in 2024 that the Neshanock donned their replica nineteenth-century baseball uniforms. It's not hard to join a vintage team, so wearing a uniform isn't difficult and can be taken for granted.  That, however, will never happen to me.  That may seem strange for someone who doesn't play, but it dates back to my early experiences in organized baseball.  Today there are countless opportunities to wear a baseball uniform at an early age. I've lost track of how many teams, Henry, my eight-year-old grandson has been on.  It wasn't like that in the 1950s.  Organized baseball didn't begin until the third grade and, with one notable exception, prospective players had to try out and earn a place on the team.  Unfortunately, there were always far more players than spots so there were very limited opportunities for average players to wear a uniform.

While the Neshanock were offering their first huzzahs of the season, Bob "Riverboat" Smith was at his second event of the day - calling bingo for a group of Nuns.

Photo courtesy of Bob Smith

Wearing the same (hopefully) shirt, pants and hat as others doesn't, of course, have any special meaning by itself.  The importance lies in what it symbolizes - being part of a team or community.  Doing so means working with others towards common goals, winning, playing well and having fun.  In vintage baseball, it also means teaching baseball history by recreating as accurately as possible how the game was played in the nineteenth century.  No matter how many seasons we've done this, it's still a very enjoyable experience.  Putting on the uniform for the first time each year is the beginning of the journey.  And it's why wearing one, should never be taken for granted.