The MAVBBL was in full swing this past weekend and featured some of the power clubs sweeping their opponents as we get towards July.  The New York Gothams took care of business winning two against the Neshanock, the Elkton Eclipse took a pair from Mechanicsburg, the Brooklyn Atlantics won both against the Resolutes and the Talbot Fair Plays swept the Diamond States including a white wash.

Gothams Take Pair From Flemington

Our first match began with the Gotham BBC at the bat. Collector lead off with a 2 base hit and came home on Scratch’s two base hit. In the bottom of the 1^st frame, the Gotham BBC held the Neshanock to 0 aces. For the next 4 innings, this is how the two teams played out the match. The Gotham BBC scoring aces and the Gotham BBC holding the Neshanock to none.

 In the 5^th frame, the Gotham BBC allowed an ace. However, our 2^nd base tender Sleepy made sure that was the only ace we allowed. With Neshanock on 1^st and 2^nd base, Sleepy gobbled up the ground ball tagged the runner going from 1^st to 2^nd and deftly threw to 1^st base to force the striker our. Two hands in 1 play, Huzzah! By the end of the 5^th frame the Gotham BBC had a commanding lead of 13-1.

 The Gotham BBC scored 5 more aces and allowed 3 more. The final score was Gotham BBC 18 Neshanock 4.  It started very differently than the first one when the Neshanock scored 9 aces through a combination of well placed strikes, sloppy fielding and Bugs’ inability to pitch into the new strike zone (or get the proper call). The Gotham BBC responded to the 9 aces with one of their own. Collector walked, stole 2^ndbase and Oates hit him home with a 3 base hit. Unfortunately he was left there.

 In the 2^nd frame, the Gotham BBC pulled off a nice 2 out in one play, when Scratch made a nice diving catch and instigated a successful run down between 1^st and 2^nd. This play held the Neshanock to 2 aces. In the bottom of the 2^nd frame, the Gotham BBC batted around scoring 6 aces and Monk had a 3 base hit.

 In the 3^rd frame, Hanky hit a 1 base hit and then got caught stealing. The striker, Bugs, hit a screeching line drive that was surely was going to be a 3 base hit, unfortunately for him, the dejected Hanky was still strolling off the field and the ball hit Hanky! The umpire called it a dead ball and Bugs proceeded to pop up to the pitcher.

 In the 4^th frame, with Weed’s adept base coaching, the Gotham BBC batted around twice. Collector, Monk and Stacks each scored twice. Feeling bad for the Neshanock and wanting to put an end to the drubbing, Scratch decided to get himself out by trying to steal 4^th base. He succeeded. This was one of the most productive innings the team has ever had. By the end of the 4^th frame the score was Gotham BBC 22 Neshanock 12.

 In the 5^th frame the striker Sleepy assisted with an ace. With Monk on 3^rd base, the pitcher pitched the ball. Sleepy let the ball hit him on the head and Monk scampered home!  In the 6^th frame, with the Neshanock threatening with runners on all the bases, the striker hit a screeching line drive to 3^rd base. With instant reaction, Stacks caught the ball, ending the Neshanock threat.  With both teams hot and tired, the match was called at the end of the 7^th frame with the final score Gotham BBC 28 Neshanock 17.

ELKTON TAKES TWO FROM MECHANCISBURG

In Westminster, Maryland at the Corbitt’s Charge event, over 300 fans crammed in to the old high school grounds to see Mechanicsburg and Elkton meet up for the first time ever.  The Eclipse scored 3 in the first frame followed by 1 ace for the Mechanicsburg Nine.  In a game that was closer than the score indicated, the Elkton nine won 15-6 after scoring some extra runs in the late innings to insure the victory.  After a generous meal where both clubs ate along side of soldiers from both sides of the conflict, the two clubs met again for the nightcap of the twilight double header.  The same results though insued as the Elkton club won again 10-6.

BROOKLYN DOWNS ELIZABETH

The Atlantic welcomed the Elizabeth Resolutes of New Jersey to the Islip Grange in Sayville by challenging them to a pair of matches.  Not only were the locals entertained by live period music and knowledgeable displays of base ball history, but they were treated to two thrilling matches played to the rules of 1864 and 1870.
 
While the local farmers market provided fresh produce, it was the Atlantic bats which did the producing this day, taking the 1864 game by the score of 17-6.  Toothpick led the Atlantic bats with 3 hits and aces, while the rest of the Atlantic battery of Shakespeare, Dreambucket, Flash, Wildhorse, Willy Mo and Butcher each had 2 hits and 2 aces a piece.  The cranks in attendance were treated to some fine defensive work in the first inning, as Elizabeth baserunners were eliminated consecutively on a caught stealing attempt and a hidden ball trick on Rookie Secondbaseman Marlin.  Wildhorse continued his excellent pitching regimen and came out the winning pitcher.
 
With a change in umpires and rules, the Elizabeth club fared no better in the second match as the Atlantic scored 9 aces in the bottom of the first frame on the way to a 21 run rout.  Again, Toothpick flexed his batting pedigree and had 5 hits, while Dreambucket and Wildhorse had 3 hits each.  In this even handed attack, every Atlantic in uniform scored at least one ace.  Shakespeare showed his prowess in delivering the sphere in an underhanded manner and held the Elizabeth club to a season low 3 aces scored.

New York Gothams at Philadelphia Athletic

The first game was a display of fielding skills on the part of both teams. The Athletics scoring their first ace in the second inning off was quickly countered by Oates in the 3^rd frame with a 4b strike deep to right center. After holding the Athletic tied for a frame, Scratch also struck a long blow to lf for a 4b of his own. In the 4^th frame the Athletic tied the game with another ace but Gotham responded with 3 aces of their own, Oats with a two ace 3b followed by a 1b Keystone who also later scored on an infield single. Another 3b from Oates in 7^th frame allowed the last ace of the game to tally.

Final score Gotham BBC 6, Athletic 2

After a brief lunch and lemonade the contest resumed with Monk on the mound for the Gotham BBC. The heat of the day building and the ball getting a worse for wear, the second match was a much different affair. Keystone came back to his form and began striking the ball sternly. Gotham posted 4 aces in the first frame on a series of 1b hits followed by the Athletic with 3 runs to counter. Gotham nearly batted through the order again in the 2^nd frame but held the Athletic in the bottom of the 2^nd.

 Gotham scored 13 more aces in the next 3 frames with 3 2b hits from Bugs, Crash and Mike topped with another long strike from Keystone and one more strike by Scratch which was so great that it caused the Athletic lf to fall to his back in admiration of the towering strike off a maple tree in lf. Gotham continued the offensive display with the entire order scoring multiple hits and aces over the remaining innings. The Athletic defensive efforts never surrendered in spirit but a brief but light rain from the ever threatening skies and the heat of the day combined to erode the energy that remained. The Athletic were held scoreless after the 5^th frame and the game ended with the score Gotham BBC 37, Athletic 10.

Gotham Base Ball Club of New York vs Philadelphia Athletics

Tug-o-War Match

Philadelphia, PA   June 11, 2011

 After our Doubleheader, our hosts challenged us to one more game… not a game of bat and ball, but one of rope and might. The Gotham BBC agreed to hold their end of a Tug of War. The two tattered teams gathered their gusto and sections of rope, a 200 foot, 150 lb rope. A small flag in the middle of the two teams was placed between the two lines making up the pitchers mound. The first team to pull the flag across their line would be declared winner. On the Athletics there were a few ballists that seemed more like anchors than base stealers and that worried the Gotham BBC a bit. The man in blue started the countdown from 3 and the tugging began. Those with cleats dug in with their heels and gave it a heave and a grunt. What seemed to last minutes was over in only seconds and the Gotham BBC were once again victorious, a 3-0 day in Philadelphia. 

Potomac Downs Elkton; Also Wins Against Chesapeake

The first game between Elkton and Potomac was nip and tuck throughout the entire 9 innings, as each team displayed stellar defense while exchanging one run leads.  Down by one run in the bottom of the ninth, Josh “Lightning” Leiling of Potomac came through with a game winning 2-run hit sealing the 5-4 victory for the Potomac Nine, their first ever against Elkton, the reigning Maryland State champions.

The second game between Elkton and Chesapeake featured plenty of offense.  Elkton won this match 22-2 and earned them a split on the day.  The third and final match went a rain-shortened 6-innings, with Potomac narrowly defeating Chesapeake 9-5.  The Chesapeake and Potomac squads proudly displayed their sharp looking brand new uniforms on this fine day.  The teams displayed outstanding sportsmanship throughout the day and many thanks go to Richard “Pastime” D’Ambrisi for umpiring all three games.

Significant vintage base ball interest was generated among the hundreds of spectators as players mingled with attendees, including dozens of thrilled children. Multiple photographers and press were present to record the special day.  In the coming days, articles and photos will be shared with all. 

Talbot and Chesapeake City Split

Talbot came up to Cecil County to take on the Cecil’s in a battle of two Maryland State heavyweights and contenders for the league title.  In the first game of the day, Chesapeake City downed the Fair Plays 26-13.  In the night cap, the visitors from Easton turned the tables and took the second game 15-9 earning a split and also earning 1 point in the Maryland State Series as both clubs completed their match against each other so each picks up 1 point in the final standings in what is turning in to a true barn burner as the clubs race towards the state championship tournament in Glen Burnie in September.

Diamond States Sweep Arundel

A special event was planned for the visitors from Glen Burnie as its match with the Delaware Nine took place on Pea Patch Island in Delaware.  After ferrying over to the site, the home club was not as hospitable as the Excelsiors would have liked as the Diamond States won 28-8 and 15-3 to sweep the match.

Brooklyn- Newtown Postponned by Rain

Saturday’s match between the Atlantic and the Sandy Hooks was wiped out by bad rain storms.  We have not heard of a make up date as of yet.

Brooklyn vs Newtown Sandy Hooks

The Newtown Sandy Hooks traveled to Smithtown, NY to celebrate Old Dutch Day with the Atlantics.  Backed by a solid defensive effort, Willy Mo pitched his first game of the season and came out with his first victory of the year.  The Atlantics well-rounded offense scored often and although the skilled ballists of Newtown hit the ball hard it was to no avail as the Atlantics walked off with a 20-8 victory.  TC and Dreambucket each had 4 hits to go with 4 aces.  Toothpick and Wildhorse contributed doubles.
 
After a ceremony commemorating the efforts of Old Dutch as one of the founders of Vintage Base Ball, the teams played an 1886 match, with Wildhorse taking the ball for his first overhand pitching performance of the year.   A back-and-forth contest through three innings, Newtowns solid pitching and defense over the last three innings kept the Atlantic bats at bay.  The Atlantics managed 8 runs but the Newtown bats hit the ball hard and often tallying 18 aces and a split of the doubleheader.  Toothpick, Willy Mo, TC and Flash each had 2 hits against the Lefthanded Ace from Newtown.  The Atlantics travel to Newtown, CT next Saturday June 11th in a rematch at McLaughlin Vineyard.

In other matches, the Cecil Club of Chesapeake City rolled to their 7th straight win without a defeat to remain at the top of the overall standings.  The Cecils traveled to Havre de Grace and were not very gracious visitors winning in a convincing 27-2 fashion.  Chesapeake City next hosts Talbot in a key match up next Sunday June 11 at Terrapin Station Winery.

Familiar foes the Neshanock and the Resolutes met up once again and this time, Elizabeth came away with a 19-10 victory to improve to 4-3 in the Northern Division.

The Mechanicsburg Nine finally got in to action this week after several postponnements due to weather and other clubs not having enough players.  Unfortunately for the Nine from Mechanicsburg, they were a little rusty as the seasoned Fair Plays from Talbot swept them 11-5 and then 19-12 in the night cap.

Diamond States Go West!

The Diamond State Base Ball Club made their furthest trip ever over the weekend when they traveled to the Steel City area to play a double-header against host Pittsburgh Franklins BBC and the Frosty Sons of Thunder BBC of Somerset, PA.  Though the competition was fierce on Saturday, the Delaware club prevailed with two victories.

 In the first match of the day, it took the ballists from the First State a few innings to adjust to the more genteel style of play adopted by the western clubs.  Diamond State managed to stay neck and neck in a low scoring affair with the Franklins until the 7^th inning when the Blue and Black busted the game open with an 8-run frame.  Pitcher Dan ‘Mini’ Minutola and a stout Diamond State defense held the Pittsburgh nine to a single tally in the final two innings leading to a 15-8 victory.

 Diamond State jumped on the Frosty Sons of Thunder to open the second match.  The Blue and Black never looked back on their way to a 7-4 win over the club from Somerset.

The Blue and Black return to Mid Atlantic League play this coming Sunday, when they host the visiting Excelsior BBC of Arundel.  The clubs will travel by ferry boat to scenic Pea Patch Island on the Delaware River for a match of ball at historic Fort Delaware.

One club was playing this weekend in the MAVBBL and it was the Brooklyn Atlantics.  The Atlantic have become quite acustomed to New England this year, and this weekend was no exception.  Because there were not a lot of games this weekend, make sure you check out the all new updated Festivals and Tournaments section for 2011.  If you know of a festival or tournament featuring one or more of our MAVBBL clubs, let us know so we can publicize your event!

The Atlantics celebrated Decoration Day by traveling to Hartford, Connecticut for the Colt Meadows Invitational.  In a time-limited first match, the Atlantics went eight strong innings against the Whately Pioneers in a 1886 match.  Up against former Major League Pitcher and World Series Champion Jim Bouton, the Atlantics fell to the score of 7-5.  Shakespeare, Dreambucket, Willy Mo and Butcher all collected singles while Captain Pigtail showed how its done with a deep double to leftfield.  TC did not chase Bouton’s infamous knuckleball and amassed 2 walks, 2 stolen bases and 2 aces. 

As the temperatures rose in Hartford, the Atlantics joined the New London Thames for a friendly 1864 match.  The Atlantics have not seen New London since 2005, and quickly reminded them of our famed Atlantic Defense taking a 9-1 lead.  Dreambucket, Toothpick and Flash (double, triple) all had two hits and Pigtail picked up the victory with a 10-4 win.

 The Atlantics next play an underhand/overhand doubleheader (1864/1886) to celebrate Old Dutch Day on Saturday June 4th vs the Newtown Sandy Hooks at home in Smithtown, NY.

The Talbot Fair Plays ventured to Smithtown, New York for the first time for a first class match featuring two of the league’s historically best clubs.  The Atlantic offense started off strong with 5 aces tallied in the top half of the first capped by a Flash homerun over the centerfield fence.  From there on out the Fairplays and Atlantics played a balanced game with the Atlantics taking the 10-4 victory.  TC, Shakespeare, Toothpick, Wildhorse, Hammy and Flash all contributed two hits to the Atlantic offense.  The Atlantic defense in keeping with our mission statement of teaching vintage base ball supplied Talbot leftfielder Moonlight with a first hand lesson on the intricacies of the Hidden Ball Trick.  Atlantic Captain Hammy was on a similar train of thought as he provided a tutorial on the incorrect method of sliding into third that required the local ambulatory wagon.

The second match, also an 1864 event, featured the Wildhorse show, as George Ferchland compiled 4 hits, 3 aces and pitched a complete game 18-10 victory.  TC and Butcher were right behind him with 3 hits and 2 aces a piece.

The Atlantics and Fairplays will meet again July 9th in Easton, Maryland.
  
Atlantic Base Ball Club of Brooklyn vs Essex Base Ball Club
 
On Sunday, the Essex Base Ball Club traveled to the Islip Grange in Sayville, New York to play the Atlantics in a rematch from the week before.  With both teams taking advantage of the short rightfield treeline, this back and forth contest concluded in the Atlantics favor to the score of 18-13.  Tree pitched the first 8 innings with vintage closer Mickey The Lip throwing a 10 pitch, 1-2-3 ninth inning.  Tree avenged his loss from last weekend and the Atlantic offense swatted 7 doubles into the trees.  Shakespeare had a day going 4 for 4, with Toothpick, TC and Hawk each muscling 3 hits a piece. 

The 1861 match went back and forth through 5 innings, but the Essex club took a 14-7 lead into the ninth.  The Atlantics made a match of it with a four run rally but fell short 14-11.  Dreambucket and Butcher contributed 3 hits each and the Atlantics sent five more doubles into the woods. 

The Essex Base Ball Club took the season series from the Atlantics 3 games to 1.

Eclipse BBC of Elkton 9  Diamond State BBC of Delaware 8

In what was one of the finest matches played involving the Eclipse Club, the Diamond States gave the visitors all they could handle and more.   For the first time in the Eclipse’s history, not only were they white washed for the first 3 innings, but held hittless as well.  The First Staters didn’t fare much better as they could muster only 2 hits through the first 4 innings.  The game was very well played in the field by both clubs as both showed off their defensive prowess.  Not a muff was to be made until the 4th inning by either side.  Hitting was at a premium as well.  Finally, the willows woke up for both clubs after a time around the line up.  Delaware struck first with an ace in the 4th and then the Eclipse came back with a pair in its half of the inning.  The timely hitting of Dubs, Hammer, and Cowboy kept the visitors in the match all day.  Small ball was the order of the day as both clubs traded the lead back and forth each inning, until the Diamond States struck with 4 runs in the top of the 8th inning to take an 8-5 lead.   In the bottom of the eighth, the Eclipse’s relaibles rallied to pull the score to 8-7 going in to the 9th.  The hosts from Delaware were held scoreless in their frame and faced the lower half of the Eclipse order.  Early got on base first and was moved over to second on a clutch ground out by Taco.  Ones, who had not seen a base all day then hit the ball to right promting Early to steam around third without looking and slid in to home under the tag and drop from the catcher.  Ones then advanced to 2nd on the play.  A long drive and hit by Dubs fittingly brought Ones home for the 9-8 win at Hagley in North Wilmington for the Eclipse’s 8th win of the season.

The Athletic of Philadelphia traveled up to New York for its first ever meeting with the Gothams this past weekend.  To help the Gotham BBC inaugurate its home field, the Philadelphia Athletics swaggered into town pontificating that the Athletics are known to dominate lowly New York City teams. Hah! the Gotham team exclaimed.

 In its first match for the first time ever, Bugs took the mound to pitch. Through 9 frames, Bugs pitched a masterpiece by walking no one, and demonstrated an amazing confidence in his defense by pitching the ball before most of them were ready. In the top half of the first frame, the Athletics drew first aces with 2. In the bottom of the 1^st frame, the offensive horse carriage, Keystone hit a 3 base hit, but his Gotham BBC teammates failed to bring him home. In the 2^nd frame, the Gotham BBC held the Athletics scoreless and the Gotham BBC scored two on well struck 1 base hits and steals by Monk, Bugs and Stacks.

In the top half of the 3^rd frame, the Athletics scored 2 more aces. In the bottom half of the 3^rd frame, Flytrap scored an ace on a 1 base hit, 2 stolen bases and a 3 base hit by Wickets. Huzzah? With Collector umpiring the frame, 1 hand and Wickets on 3^rd base, Wickets started reading from his well known how-to-run-the-bases book “Wickets and the Art of Running.” Monk hit a beautiful fly ball to left field; Wickets seizing the opportunity ran home; and the the left fielder proceeded to catch the ball and through to 3^rd. Unfortunately for the Gotham BBC Wickets got doubled up. Collector with his usual enthusiasm, screamed him out!

 In the 4^th frame, the Athletics scored 1 ace and the Gotham BBC batted more than around scoring 9 aces with Monk and Bugs scoring twice that frame. In the 5^th frame, the Athletics scored 1 and the Gotham BBC followed with 3. The 6^th frame, the Athletics scored for the last time that game and the Gotham BBC scored 8 more aces, with 4-pack getting his first stolen base as a Gotham. In the top of the 9^th with 1 hand down and one Athletic on 1^st base, Stacks took the cue from Bugs and believed in the Gotham BBC superior defense. He allowed a towering fly ball to drop through his hands, picked it up, threw to 2^nd base getting the runner; and Keystone threw to 1^st base getting the striker. Double play, end of game. Gotham BBC 21 Athletics 8.

In the 2^nd match,  the Gotham BBC began the match with Collector, Flytrap and Bugs scoring aces. Hanky hit a 2 base hit but was stranded there. The Athletics matched the Gotham aces by tallying 3 of their own. Wickets stymied the Athletic offense by picking off an errant Athletic. In the top of the 2^nd frame, Stacks, Mouth (Athletic), Collector, Flytrap and Wickets scored aces. In the bottom of the 2^nd frame, the Athletics scored 1 ace. In the 3^rd frame, the Athletics held the Gotham BBC to 0 aces and the Athletics scored 1 ace. In the top of the 4^th frame, Wickets and Monk scored two aces. In the bottom of the 4^th frame, the Athletics did not score thanks to an amazing foul ball, 1 bound out, slam into the fence, catch by Wickets.

 In the 5^th frame, Collector, Wickets and Monk struck well, stole bases and scored aces! The Athletics scored 0 aces. In the top half of the 6^th frame, the Gotham BBC did not score. In the bottom half of the 6^th frame, Weed participated in all 3 hands holding the Athletics to 0 aces. In the 7^th frame, Flytrap, Wickets and Monk hit 1 base hits, stole a few more and scored aces. Of course, Wickets kept his Gotham BBC teammates in conimption fits by almost getting picked off at 2^nd base. In the the bottom of the 7^th frame, Wickets picked off another Athletic. Apparently, the Athletics have studied Wickets’ 842 page tome “How to run bases AND get picked off.”

 In the 8^th frame, Wickets was picked off at 2^nd. However, Collector, Flytrap, Monk and Stacks scored aces, with Stacks stealing his way to 4^th base. In the bottom 8^th with an Athletic on 1^st and 2^nd bases, the Athletic struck the ball high to left field, the 2^nd base base runner ran, Collector made a great catch, threw the ball perfectly to Hanky waiting at 2^nd base to make the 2 handed play. No one scored in the 9^th frame and the Gotham BBC won 20 Athletics 7.

TALBOT SWEEPS POTOMAC

In an important southern division match, the Fair Plays from Talbot kept up their winning ways by defeating the Potomac Nine from Washington 14-4 in the first game and squeeking by the club from our Nation’s Capital 6-5 in the night cap.  The Fair Plays improve to 5-1 in the Maryland Series and 4-0 in the southern division.

ELKTON TAKES A PAIR FROM HAVRE DE GRACE

The Dauntless scored the first ace of the day in the first game, but then where white washed the rest of the way out as the Eclipse scored 22 unanswered runs to win the first game 22-1.  The second game was much more of a contest.  The Dauntless scored early and often to jump out to a good sized lead.  The Eclipse wittled their way back and facing a 13-12 deficit going in to the bottom of the 9th frame, the visitors from Elkton tallied 2 aces to win 14-13 in a very spirited match on what turned out to be a fine day for base ball.

CHESSIES TAKE PAIR FROM EXCELSIOR

Mothers Day is generally considered a National Holiday in the vintage world as no captain would daringly think of scheduling matches on this Sunday.  Some clubs do take advantage of the Saturday before and that is exactly what Brooklyn did as it traveled to Rhode Island to take on Olneyville, a club they hadn’t seen since 2008.

Atlantic traveled up the coast to Rhode Island to challenge the Olneyville Temperance Cadets, a team they haven’t seen since 2008.
Although the day started off slowly with a Stagecoach fire detaining some of the traveling Atlantics, once the games ensued the Atlantics scored early and often.

The first match of the day, an 1886 contest, pitted the Atlantics knuckleballer Shakespeare against Olneyville’s Captain Blue.  Shakespeare’s superb pitching effort and a relentless Atlantic offense led to a 24-5 victory.  Shakespeare compiled 10 strikeouts, while Willy Mo and Flash had 4 hits each to go with Dean’s 2 homeruns.

The second match, an 1864 contest, went back and forth between the teams. The dark base ball used made fielding difficult, and offense ruled the beginning of this match as Toothpick, Dean and Flash combined for four homeruns.
The mutual decision by both teams to change from a dark base ball to a white base ball at the start of the 6th inning had a significant effect on both teams defenses. By allowing the outfielders to better see the ball the scoring became less frequent over the last few innings. From there the Atlantic Defense tightened its grip on the game and held on for the 13-10 victory.
On the day, both Shakespeare and Pigtail picked up their first victories of the season and the Atlantics improved their record to 4-0.

It was quite a weekend for 19th century base ball along the east coast this past week.  The Lewes BBC played its first game ever against what will be its instate rival the Diamond State BBC of Delaware. 

May 2, 2011 – Diamond State BBC traveled to southern Delaware on Saturday to face off against the new Lewes BBC in what was the Sussex nine’s first match ever.  The Lewes club proved to be fine hosts and demonstrated an ample amount of ginger for first-time challengers.   The match, played under cloudy skies, took place at the Virden Center ball field on the University of Delaware’s Lewes Campus.

 The Blue and Black put up 4 aces in both the first and second frames, matched by the Lewes club’s two scores.  Not to be daunted, Lewes charged back with 3 aces in the third inning and held the Diamond States scoreless to make the score a close 8-5 after three innings.  The more experienced Delaware nine put the game away in the latter innings with 5 aces in the 4^th, 9 more in the 5^th, and 4 more in the final 4 innings, while holding the Lewes nine to a single score.  The final tally showed Diamond State’s 25 aces to Lewes’ 6.

 This was an encouraging start to what is hoped will be a long-standing Delaware base ball rivalry.  The two clubs hope to meet later in season to determine Delaware’s base ball champion.

 There were several players with noteworthy performances for the Diamond State nine.  In his first game, rookie Andy ‘Lightning’ Lynch was a gaudy 4-5 at the plate, tallying 2 triples and 4 aces.  Greg ‘Memphis’ Boulden also scored 4 aces in a 4-6 performance, while also pitching 3 scoreless innings to finish the match with a save.  Captain Garrett ‘Steady’ Perdick and Ken ‘Buzzsaw’ Bonsall both collected 3 aces, while going 4-6 with a double each.  Jake ‘Snake’ Bockman mashed 2 doubles and tallied 2 aces in a 4-6 effort.  Doug ‘One Finger’ Brown returned to form going 4-5 with 2 aces.  Earl ‘Stones’ Benningfield and starting pitcher Dan ‘Mini’ Minutola each logged 3 hits in 6 appearances, gathering 2 and 3 aces respectively.  Frank ‘Mr. B’ Brevoort, II also tallied 2 aces while going 3-5 at the bat.

 After playing their first 3 matches on the road, Diamond State returns to the friendly confines of Fort DuPont State Park in Delaware City for their May 15 home opener against the Mechanicsburg Nine of Pennsylvania.  Pre-game festivities begin at 12:30 p.m. with the match scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start time.

TALBOT AND ELKTON SPLIT

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Elkton at the Terrapin Station Winery, 256 people including the Phillie Phanatic witnessed one of the best matches of 19th century base ball played around these parts in a long time.  In a game that took over 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete, it was so entertaining, that both clubs and fans wanted to see more so both clubs obliged by taking a tie game in to 11 innings before a victor was found.  The entire game was close as each side would go up before the other would tie it.  Elkton found itself ahead after 8 frames 13-12.  Talbot came back though in the bottom of the 9th scoring an ace and threatening to win the game in the 9th, but left a runner on 3rd with the third hand dead.  After a scoreless 10th, the Eclipse scored 2 runs and looked like they had nailed down the victory.  Talbot though pushed ahead two runsin the bottom of the 11th and then loaded the bases with just 1 hand dead.  A deep fly ball to center ended the contest with a win by the visiting club.  In the second game, the Eclipse jumped out to an early lead and never looked back and knocked the wind out of the sails of the Fair Plays and won the nightcap 14-4.

Also playing at the Terrapin Station Winery at Elkton was the Flemington Neshanock and the Potomac Nine from Washington.  The travelers from the south were no match from the New Jersey club in either match as Flemington brought a fine group of ballists.  The final scores were 21-7 and 24-9 as Flemington took both games.

Heavy rain and flooding Saturday postponned or cancelled all but one match all weekend in what would have been a busy time for the MAVBBL.  The ensuing flooding wipped out several games on Sunday including the Chopper II Classic in Elkton. 

A few games did get in though as the Diamond State BBC traveled to Philadelphia and the Atlantic went south to Elizabeth.  Atlantic opened its 2011 season as guests of the Elizabeth Resolutes Base Ball Club. The teams played a pair of 1864 matches on a damp field in Rahway River Park. This game served as the Atlantic opener of the season while Elizabeth had bested a fiesty Flemington Neshanock Club the week prior to begin their 2011 campaign. The muddy conditions around homeplate, combined with veteran pitching by the Atlantics Richard Ness and Elizabeths Harry Uhrig led to a tie score after eight innings. The top of the ninth brought good fortune the Atlantic way, allowing 4 aces to tally and the Atlantics came away with their first victory of the season 9-5.

In the second game, Atlantic held off the Resolutes for a 19-6 win. Richard Ness and Frank Obidienzo picked up their first wins of the season and the vaunted Atlantic Defense held a strong offensive club down on a cold day in Jersey.

On top of a hill at the Memorial Hall Fields in Philadelphia, the Athletic hosted the Diamond States from Delaware.  The Athletic being much improved from last year picked up its second win of the season after being whitewashed in last year’s campaign.  In the first game, the Athletic defeated the visitors from the First State, 13-11.   The Diamond State Club returned the favor in the second game winning 14-5.