South Coast Vintage Base Ball

Monday, August 06, 2007

Sunday witnessed the most exciting game played on the South coast of Massachusetts since the 19^th century. It was a pair of match games of base ball between the Bristol Base Ball Club of Bristol, RI and the Essex Base Ball Club of Danvers, Mass. Several players of the local Ironsides Base Ball Club played on the side of the Essex Club as that club was short several players. Members of the Essex club arrived early in Mattapoisett after traveling from Old Bethpage, New York where they had played a remarkable 4 games of ball the day before.

The day was warm and sunny, a perfect day for this popular out-door amusement. The game was played at Mattapoisett’s Old Hammondtown School, the bases of the Ironsides Club being used. The players from each club and the number of runs scored by each for game one were as follows:

Bristol Base Ball Club Essex/Ironsides Clubs

McGreggor, Stuart; 3b        1                       Sheehy, Chris; ss      1

Corning, Dan C; rf                 0                      Michaud, Rob; cf       0

Simmons, John; ss                1                      Sheehy, Brian; c        0

Wilkerson, Jason; 1b            1                      Nelson, Dave; lf         0

Hayes, Rusty; p                    0                      Foley, Pat; 1b            0

Rogers, Kristen;p            0                      Gendall, Bill; p           0

Towers, Jim; c                      1                      *DeCicco-Carey; 3b   1

Derego, Mark, 2b                 0                      *Sheridan, Joe; 2b    1

Mikesh, Dan; cf                    0                      *Gries, Dave; rf         0

Lavender, Jason; lf              0

—                                                       —

Total Runs                             4                                                          3

* indicates players of the Ironsides Base Ball Club

The players of the local Ironsides Club played well scoring two of the 3 runs for their side. They also fielded exceptionally well having never before played the game of base ball barehanded. Second basemen Sheridan and right fielder Gries handled several fly balls well while third basemen DeCicco-Carey didn’t fare as well as many hard hit balls were sent in his direction through out the game. His fielding improved somewhat by the end of the second game. The new club still in formation was able to pick up many fine examples of fielding from the veteran clubs. The Ironsides were also taken by the curious sight of the Essex first baseman playing in his stockings with out shoes or a cap upon his head.

At the conclusion of the game, Mr. Hayes captain of the Blues and Mr. B. Sheehy, captain of the Essex gave a few appropriate remarks in behalf of the opposing clubs and then Cheers were given by the respective clubs to one another and to the spectators in attendance.

The second game was played with as much vigor as the first game. Ironsides scorer Judy Wallace played part of the game in right field as did Blues’ pitcher Kristen Rogers, their fine play proved that base ball is not just a man’s game. The final score of game two was 6-3 in favor of the Bristol Blues.

The players from each club and the number of runs scored by each for game two were as follows:

Bristol Base Ball Club Essex/Ironsides Clubs

McGreggor, Stuart; 3b        1                      Sheehy, Chris; ss      1

Corning, Dan; rf                    0                      Michaud, Rob; cf       0

Simmons, John; ss                1                      Sheehy, Brian; c        0

Wilkerson, Jason; 1b            0                      Nelson, Dave; lf         0

Hayes, Rusty; p                    0                      Foley, Pat; 1b             0

Rogers, Kristen;p            0                      Gendall, Bill; p            0

Towers, Jim; c                      0                      *DeCicco-Carey; 3b   1

Derego, Mark; 2b                 2                      *Sheridan, Joe; 2b      1

Mikesh, Dan; cf                     1                      *Gries, Dave; rf           0

Lavender, Jason; lf               1                      * Wallace, Judy; rf      0

—                                                       —

Total Runs                             6                                                          3

* indicates players of the Ironsides Base Ball Club

The first game began at about 12:30 and the second game followed after a few minutes break. Each game lasted about 1 ½ hours. Ms. Wallace of the Ironsides club was scorer for the first game and part of the second game. Mr. Griers of the Ironsides and Mr. Gendall of the Essex club assisted in keeping score in the second game. Most of the umpiring was done by Mr. Hayes of the Bristols and Mr. B. Sheehy of the Essex club while they were not actively involved in the game. Mr. Hayes was quick to warn strikers for not striking at good pitches. Other members of their clubs assisted in umpiring duties when needed. However, as the game was played to the highest standards and honesty of all, the games would have most likely progressed uninjured with out the assistance of an arbitrator.

The number of fans in attendance was not counted but it is estimated that as many as 100 people saw the ball games at some point during the day. The Ironsides hope that the ball games produce interest in the sport of 19^th century base ball as they continue to search for ballists to fill out their club so that they may begin to challenge other clubs for the championship of New England.