Here is write up of our most recent vintage base ball game- note the different rules/equipiment:
The two base ball clubs in New Jersey that play our national game with nineteenth century rules and equipment are the Elizabeth Athletic Club and the Flemington Neshanock. They squared off for a match this past Saturday at Rahway River Park. The game was played by the 1891 rules of base ball (spelled as two words in the nineteenth century ) in which the EAC specializes. The EAC was a club that played base ball in Elizabeth, NJ during the 1890's. The Neshanock, also a historic recreation of an actual club, specializes in 1873 rules.
The EAC pitcher, Mike Flanagan started off the day by striking out the side in the first inning. In 1891 rules, he's pitching from 55 feet, six inches away from home base instead of the modern sixty feet, six inches. Also, their is no pitcher's mound, the "pitcher's box" is a flat surface. Mike used fastballs, sliders, and the occasional curve ball to keep the Flemington hitters off balance.
The EAC began the day's incessant offensive attack with an eight run first inning, featuring triples hit by center fielder Ed Alexander and third baseman Rick Myers. Myers' came with the bases loaded. First baseman Bill Heaney chimed in with a two run double as the EAC sent fourteen men to the bat in the first inning.
Mike Flanagan again struck out the side in the second inning, following the pitch calling of his catcher Mike Byrne. Using 1891 catcher's equipment is no easy feat, as Mr. Byrne does not have the advantage of a helmet or shin guards. Only replicas of the first catcher's mitt, mask, and chest protector are used. The other players around the field are usually bare-handed. Small leather fielder's gloves with no webbing and very little padding were just beginning to be used on a regular basis in the late 1880's and early 1890's. As a major part of the purpose in playing base ball this way is historical accuracy, the EAC reflect this characteristic of the game by only having a few of it's players use gloves.
Because 1873 base ball was an underhand pitched game, the Neshanock don't get the practice of facing the more modern style of overhand pitching that 1891 rules employ on a regular basis. They scored single runs in the second and third innings, two in the fourth, and four in the ninth. But it wasn't enough to match the thirty-two run barrage supplied by the EAC. This contest evened the score between the two clubs, as the Neshanock had handed a 31 - 16 drubbing to the EAC earlier in the season in a fine match of 1873 rules ball played at Washington Crossing State Park in Trenton. "Our two clubs have enjoyed a friendly and competitive relationship for eight years now", said EAC captain Paul Salomone. "We've played matches in all kinds of settings around New Jersey and other states. Some of the games are high scoring, some low, but we feel we give a real close impression of what nineteenth century base ball looked like when it was played."
Other players of note were the left fielder Dave Chamalian and right fielder Paul Salomone, each having four hit days. Chamalian himself scored six runs. Third baseman Rick Myers scored five runs. Shortstop Anthony Ferrone and catcher Mike Byrne each scored four. Second baseman Dan Jurgens rounded out the attack with key singles in the first and sixth innings, sustaining the EAC's two longest rallies of the day.
The EAC's website can be found at www.eaclub.org. Anyone interested in playing on the EAC can e-mail Paul Salomone from the website. The club's game schedule, pictures, and other items of interest can also be seen. August 2nd will find the EAC in Bethpage Restoration Village in Long Island for the annual nineteenth century base ball festival held there. The next home game is August ninth against the New York Gotham. Gametime is noon.
Michael Byrne
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