MAVBBL Action Heats Up

It was a hot one along the east coast this past weekend yet several matches took place involving MAVBBL clubs.

The biggest match of the day involving two MAVBBL clubs was the Eclipse from Elkton traveling down to Rockville to take on the much improved Potomac Nine from Washington DC. It was an unusual start time of 11am to accomodate the Eclipse who would later be playing in Glen Burnie to challenge the Excelsiors from Arundel at 3pm. In the first match, the Potomacs who find themselves in the top half of the league standings played a valiant match against the Eclipse showing their veteran skills. In the end though, the Eclipse held on for an 11-8 victory. Both clubs are among the oldest teams in the MAVBBL having started playing in 2006 and the skill level showed on this day.

The Eclipse next traveled to Arundel later in the day. Under brutal heat, the Elkton Nine won its second match of the day 9-2 over the upstart Excelsiors.

The biggest match of the day though involved the first place Brooklyn Atlantics traveling to Waterbury Connectictut to challenge the Connors in a two game match. The Connors who handed Elkton its only loss of the season to date is generally considered one of the finest if not finest club in New England. Atlantic took its perfect 20-0 record north to Waterbury to face the always tough Connors. Atlantic held a lead in both games, but lost two heartbreakers by one run each, both times having the tying run on base in the 9th inning. Atlantic played well, but Waterbury played better this day and earned the 4-3 and 5-4 victories. Dreambucket had 2 hits in the first game, and TC had 2 hits in the second game, including a double. They both scored 2 aces for Atlantic

In Eastern Division play, two rivals hooked up on the hot day in Maryland to play 2 games. The Chesapeake Nine from Baltimore hosted the Dauntless from Havre de Grace. In games that had not only divisional implications, but also would affect the Maryland State Championship series standings, there was a lot on the line for both clubs. In two evenly matched games, the two clubs split 21-19 and 11-9 to each walk away with a victory.

Anniversary in Hoboken

Jun20

Hoboken, NJ– On Saturday, June 19, the Elizabeth Resolutes and the Flemington Neshanock marked the 164 anniversary of the first officially recorded base ball game. The first recorded game was at the Elysian Fields on June 19, 1846 under rules set up by Alexander Cartwright. On Saturday, the Resolutes and the Neshanock comemerated that day with a match of their own at Stevens Institute of Technology. After Flemington went up 1-0 in the top of the 1st inning, Elizabeth came back with 9 unanswered runs over the next 3 frames and cruised to a 19-5 win. It wasn’t all about wins and loses on this day though. Hoboken mayor Dawn Zimmer saw her dream come true of a vintage base ball game taking place in her town. “I think of Hoboken as the birthplace of baseball,” she said. “It should be played here. I want to work with Vintage Baseball Association and the Hoboken Museum to bring a team here.”

Elkton 17 Delaware 14

On a hot day in Cecil County, The Eclipse hosted the Diamond States, their opponent for the second consecutive week. The much improved Delaware Nine gave the defending MAVBBL champs all they could handle but in the end the Elkton club hung on for their 11th win in 12 tries.

Atlantic Wins Pair on “Old Dutch” Day

Jun13

The New York Gothams and Flemington Neshanock once again joined Atlantic for the annual ‘Old Dutch’ Memorial Games. The first contest saw Atlantic take on Gotham. Atlantic took advantage of numerous misplays by the rebuilding Gotham team for a 27-10 victory. Flash led Atlantic with 4 hits, including 2 doubles, a triple, and 3 aces. TC (2 aces), Dreambucket (triple, home run, 5 aces), Hammy, and Pigtail (3 aces) had 3 hits each. Pigtail picked up the victory. In between games, Atlantic held a short ceremony in memory of Al ‘Old Dutch’ Dieckmann, aptly described as one of the ‘Fathers of Vintage Base Ball’. Following a moment of silence, Atlantic then wished ‘Money’ well for his move to Florida, with its 12-month base ball season, and presented him with an inscribed game ball. We returned to the games, with Atlantic facing Neshanock. Atlantic again scored early and often as it sailed to a 21-2 victory. Billy Goat (3 aces), Nice&Easy, and Pigtail (3 aces) each had 3 hits for Atlantic. TC added a double and 3 aces, and Shakespeare had a home run. Tree held Neshanock to just 2 solo runs for the victory, and Money pitched a scoreless 9th inning. In the third contest, Neshanock faced Gotham, and after a hard-fought 9 innings by both teams, Neshanock came out on top with a 14-9 victory.

See the story about Al “Old Dutch” Dieckmann in the “Historical Story of the Week” section.

In other vintage action, two big series were played in the Maryland State Championship Series as Chesapeake traveled to Talbot and Arundel entertained Havre de Grace. Because of the heat, there was only one game in the match between the Excelsiors and the Dauntless and the Dauntless came out on top over the hosts 15-5. Talbot won twice as well to get to a 4-2 State record while Chesapeake fell to 3-5 in the state.

The weekend’s other match took place on Pea Patch Island in Delaware as the Diamond States entertained the Eclipse from Elkton. In a hard fought match that was closer than the final score the Elkton club came away with an 18-8 victory after tacking on 5 aces in the ninth to put the match out of reach.

June Action Continues

Jun8

Mechanicsburg Plays Its First Match

The newly formed Mechanicsburg Nine 19th C. Base Ball Club was victorious in their first ever match. The club hosted The Potomac Nine from Gaithersburg, MD on Sunday (June 6) at Metro Bank Park on City Island in Harrisburg, PA – Following the Senators home game against the Akron Aeros.

What looked to be a wash out for players and fans alike, quickly turned into a day full of America’s pastime – after a 1-hour rain delay. Following the Senators loss to the Aeros of Akron, the fans were treated to a short 3 inning exhibition game of base ball according to the rules and customs of 1864.

The Potomac Nine, with assistance from three local ballists from Washington Fire Company #1, struck first in the top of the first frame – with one tally as a result of two well struck balls, a stolen base and an errant throw from the short scout. After retiring their opponents, the Nine from Mechanicsburg struck quickly in the bottom of the first frame. Showing no real signs of being rookies, Mechanicsburg struck the ball with authority and ran the bases with true ginger. At the conclusion of the 1st inning, the tally was Mechanicsburg 3 – Potomac 1.

Potomac added two more tallies in the second frame with well placed hits and aggressive base stealing. However, the second frame proved to be the deciding point of the game as the flood gates opened for the home club with a flurry of hard struck balls and several stolen bases, including home base. At the end of the second inning Mechanicsburg was safely on top by a tally of 10 to 3.

The final frame ended with both sides retiring the other with no additional scores. All in all, both squads adeptly demonstrated the play of 19th C. Base Ball. The cranks and the Senators staff enjoyed a fast-paced, hard-played game. The Senators have already inquired about another match most likely to be scheduled next season. The Mechanicsburg Nine is looking forward to their next full match which should be scheduled soon.

Atlantic Wins a Pair vs Newtown Sandy Hooks

Atlantic hosted the Newtown Sandy Hooks for a pair of games at Atlantic Park. The first contest was an 1864 era game, and although Newtown held an early edge and stayed close for 4 innings, Atlantic then pulled away for a 16-4 victory. Dreambucket had 3 hits, including a double and 4 aces for Atlantic. TC, Shakespeare, Hawk, and Wildhorse contributed 2 hits each and Nice&Easy went the distance to pick up the victory. The second contest was an 1886 overhand game. Once again Newtown went out ahead early, leading 5-1 after 3 innings, and again Atlantic came back, this time with two 6-run innings to gain the victory, 16-6. Dreambucket again lead Atlantic with 4 hits, including a double and a triple. Shakespeare and Wildhorse had 3 hits each, while Willy Mo contributed 2 hits, including his first triple. Shakespeare pitched the complete game victory, holding Newtown scoreless the last 5 innings.

Elkton Downs Philadelphia

The Eclipse traveled by train to the grounds of the Athletic Base Ball Club for a great day of base ball in the shadows of the Centenial Exhibition Building in Fairmount Park. While the grounds are somewhat short, there are great quirks that make it a very hospitable venue to play. Even though the temperature was in the 90s, the many trees on the field and around the grounds lead for a comfortable day. Interestingly, large elm trees are in play for sluggers hitting to left and center field. Right field is highlighted by a Civil War Monument honoring those who fought in the War who lived in Philadelphia. If a player hits the monument on the fly, its a home run! Other obstacles in right field making playing that garden challenging, but entertaining to say the least. It is highly suggested that each club makes a pilgrimage to these grounds as it is one of the nicer ones you will find in a large city.

The match itself was a fairly good one for the first 8 innings. The Athletic held the Eclipse’s bats somewhat in check for most of the game and slowly chipped away at a initial large lead to get the score to be 16-6 in favor of the visitors until the 9th inning when the wheels fell off for the Athletic.

Upcoming Matches this Week

Several divisional match ups take place this week in pivital MAVBBL action. In the northern division, the Atlantic will play the Gothams as well as the Neshanock in Smithtown, Long Island. The Eclipse of Elkton travel by ferry along with the Diamond States to Pea Patch Island for a unique game in the middle of the Delaware River. Chesapeake will have its hands full as it travels to Easton to take on the Fair Plays in a meaningful Maryland State Championship Series match as does Havre de Grace visit Arundel also in an important Maryland Series game.

Atlantic Win at Colt Meadows Invitational

Jun1

May 29; Hartford, CT–

Atlantic was invited to the Colt Meadows Invitational in Hartford, Connecticut, and drew Melrose and Essex as its opponents. This was Atlantic’s first meeting with the Melrose Pondfeilders, and Atlantic put on both an offensive and defensive display, scoring in 8 of its innings while holding Melrose to just 3 single runs for a 22-3 victory. Shakespeare (3 aces), and Flash (double, triple, 3 aces) led Atlantic with 4 hits each. Toothpick and Hawk had 3 hits apiece, while Dreambucket added a double and a triple to the attack. Pigtail picked up the victory. In the second game, Essex was seeking revenge from a loss to Atlantic 2 weeks earlier at the tournament in Cooperstown when Atlantic squeaked out a 9-7 win. This time, Atlantic struck early for 10 runs in the first 4 innings, and then used its defense to hold off Essex for a 10-5 victory. Flash (2 triples, 2 aces), Toothpick (2 aces), Dreambucket (triple, 2 aces), Butcher (double, ace), and Money (double) each had 2 hits for Atlantic as Pigtail again picked up the victory.

In other MAVBBL news, the Mechanicsburg Nine outside of Harrisburg, PA has joined the MAVBBL as an associate member for 2010 with the hope of becoming a full member in 2011. Look on the website for their contact information. They are looking for matches this year if you have some unexpected openings. The Pastime BBC of Williamsburg, Virginia is now classified as an associate club. If you are interested in playing for either of these clubs or would like more information on them, look for their information on this site and contact them or contact us at admin@mavbbl.com and we’ll forward it to them.