On May 20th the Lowell Nine faced off against the Lynn Live Oaks in a doubleheader. The first match was a one sided affair with the Lowell Nine winning 17-0. The second game was a closer affair with the Lowell side winning 7-4.
The next match is Saturday June 2nd Draft Horse Plow Day, when the Essex Nine take on the Ipswich Brewers at 12pm
After a week of rain the skies cleared this past Sunday so that the Essex Base Ball Association could kick off its first official game in its inaugural season. The day saw the up and coming Newburyport Clamdiggers face off against the more experienced Lowell Nine. In two very close games that were highlighted by tight defense and great play each team was able to take one of the games in the doubleheader. If all association games go like that then cranks are in for a great season of 19th century baseball action.
We are happy to announce an open game Saturday May 12TH at 1pm at Spencer Peirce Little Farm. Anyone who is interested in trying their hand at playing 19th century baseball is welcome to join us. We still have a few spots open on league rosters.
After a lunch provided by our sponsor Oregano’s we tried our hand at 19th century wicket. Wicket was a game primarily played in Western MA and CT in which the bowler attempts to knock off a bail that is on two stumps. The batter must protect the bail and can score runs when they reach the other wicket located 75 feet away. The game may sound a little like cricket but the stumps are only 6 inches off the ground and the bail is 6 feet long. After a lot of experimenting with the game players finally got the hang of it. We all look forward to playing wicket again June 9th.
After our experiment with wicket we played a baseball game. While it is still preseason, the Newburyport Clamdiggers looked very strong erasing a 9 run deficit to win handily.
We return to practice this Sunday April 22nd at 11am and kick off the season April 29th at 12pm.
Join members of the Essex Base Ball Organization as they welcome in the 2012 season on Sunday April 15th with a day of history and play. We have assembled a full day packed with history of baseball and other bat and ball games from the 19th century. In the morning we have several historians lined up to share their knowledge and then in the afternoon we will let people test their hand at playing 19th century wicket and 1861 rules baseball. The day will include lunch and a pint of Ipswich Ale. For a $25 donation participants will get a lunch, a beer, and will be considered a Friend of the Essex Base Ball Association and will get a free pass to one league game. All proceeds for the day will help the newly formed Essex Base Ball Association this upcoming season.
10-10:15 Welcome/ reception/ Intro
10:15-10:45 What is Wicket by Larry McCray
— Larry McCray A researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who, since 2005, has coordinated “Project Protoball,” a record of print references to baseball and parallel bat and ball games prior to 1860, and a member of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) will discuss the strange game of wicket. Wicket was a game played primarily in the 19th century in Western MA and CT.
10:45-11:15 Recreation of the Boston Red Stockings by John Shannahan
n A long time participant in vintage base ball John and his Mudville Base Ball Club have transformed themselves into the 1870’s Boston Red Stockings. John will discuss why he decided to recreate the Red Stockings and tell us what he envisions for the club.
11:15- 11:45- Handmade 19th century baseballs and gloves by William Peebles
- William Peebles of the Huntington Baseball Company will be on hand to show us how he hand makes replica 19th century baseball gloves and balls. William will discuss his company.
11:45-12:15 (Lunch) and What is this league all about…. By Brian Sheehy
- Brian “Cappy” Sheehy will discuss what the Essex Base Ball Association is all about, the history of the three teams, and some of the special programs that we have scheduled for the 2012 season and beyond.
12:30-1pm Wicket Demonstration (all are welcome to try)
1pm-3pm NY Style Open Game( all are welcome to try)
Join member of the Essex Base Ball Association as they take the field and get ready for the 2012 season.
Its time to start warming up the arms and get in baseball shape. With all the beautiful weather the Essex Base Ball Association will be hitting the field early this year with our first scheduled practice Sunday April 1 at 12pm. If you are interested in joining the new league we still have a few slots open so come on down and try your hand at playing. Contact Cappy at historyball@yahoo.com for more info.
