For the third time this year the Essex Base Ball Club traveled to beautiful Georges Island to play inside of historic Fort Warren.  The day saw the Essex Nine matched up against the Lynn Live Oaks with the added bonus of having both the 2004 and 2007 World Series Trophies on the island.  The first game saw the Live Oaks charge off to a strong lead but the Essex offense was too much behind the blazing speed of Cappy and his two triples and the Essex Nine captured a 12-7 victory.  The second game was the same back and forth nail bitter but the Essex Nine was again victorious 9-6.  Bill “The Undertaker” Gendall also baffled the Lynn batters with his speed ball. 

The Essex and Lynn squads would like to thank everyone associated with Georges Island and the Boston Island Alliance for allowing us access to the island and for being so accommodating to us.  We look forward to many more trips out there.   

For pictures of the game…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29858296@N05/sets/72157606944157476/

Next Up….

The next game for both Essex and Lynn will be Saturday September 6^th in the much anticipated return to Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm in Newbury.  The day will begin at 11am with the Essex Nine matched up against the Fitchburg Rollstones,  1pm Lynn Live Oaks vs. Fitchburg and 3pm Essex vs. Lynn.  As always the day is co sponsored by Ipswich Ale and will feature the much loved beer truck.  Don’t worry kids they also serve delicious soda…. For more info about the farm visit http://www.historicnewengland.org/visit/homes/little.htm

On Saturday the Boston Beaneaters matched up against the Boston Colonials and Temperance Cadets of Rhode Island in a set of 1886 games as part of Cambridge Historical Days.  The day promised to be an action packed day and the Beaneaters did not disappoint.  In the first game Drew Murphy took the hill and despite some early inning wildness settled down to capture a 14-2 victory.  All members chipped in at the plate.  The second game saw Chris “The Monkey” Sheehy take the hill to match up against the Cadets.  In a battle for first place in the New England Vintage Base Ball League Monkey battled through some early inning bumps and a sore arm to keep the Beaneaters within striking distance late in the game.  Unfortunately for the Beaneaters the Cadet pitcher completely shut down their offense to secure a 6-4 win and more than likely the championship of the league.  It was a great set of games and the Beaneaters would like to thank the Cambridge Historical Commission for allowing us to use the field and being part of their weekend. 

On Sunday the Essex Nine faced off against the up and coming Fitchburg Rollstones.  Despite having only 8 guys in the first game the Essex Club hung in there and lost a close match by the score of 16-13.  In the second game the Fitchburg gentlemen were kind enough to lend us two fine ballist and behind their battery we were able to capture a 8-7 victory.  The day was sponsored by the Haverhill Historical Society and we hope to continue our relationship with them next year. 

For pictures of the weekend check out

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28827726@N04/sets/72157606808216303/

Coming Up…..

Important News ….. The Saturday “All Star” game in Danvers has been canceled.  The game on Georges Island on Sunday is still on but will feature the Essex Nine vs. the Lynn Live Oaks.  The games will take place at historic Fort Warren on Georges Island in Boston Harbor on Sunday August 24^th at 11am and 1pm.  As an added bonus the 2007 World Series trophy will be on hand for photographs and Cappy’s 19^th century baseball exhibit will also be on display.  For more information on how to get out to the island check  http://www.bostonislands.com/trip_getthere.html

The Essex and Lynn Clubs could not have asked for better weather as they matched up this past Sunday for a friendly game of base ball.  The Essex Nine was excited to see the return of AJ “The Giant” Guanci at his familiar first base position and in the middle of the order.  The exact score or amount of innings played is not exactly remembered or known but it was a well played game on both sides.  Some highlights include several key hits by Sir Jay and several foul tip out by Kevin Foley.  Rob “Stumbles/ Magglio” Michaud was cheered all day long by his adoring young fans.  The clubs would like to thank all of those who stuck around and watched.

Pictures

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29027611@N06/sets/72157606720080828/with/2762713918/

Coming Up…..

Saturday August 16^th 10:30-3pm St. Peters Field in Cambridge, MA

Directions: http://www.bostonbaseball.com/fields/stpeters.htm

The Boston Beaneaters will square off against the Boston Colonials and Olneyville Temperance Cadets in 1886 action. The games will decide the champion of the New England Vintage Base Ball League.  The game is part of Cambridge Discovery Days www.cambridgema.gov/historic/walks.html and will celebrate the three 19^th century Hall of Fame Players from Cambridge, MA.  The three Hall of Famers are John Clarkson, Tim Keefe, and Joe Kelley.  Players from the Beaneaters will be wearing their uniforms and there will be an exhibit on display.  Come enjoy the historic baseball game. 

Sunday August 17^th 12pm start doubleheader- Riverside Park in Haverhill, MA

The Essex Base Ball Club will square off against the Fitchburg Rollstones in 1861 action.  The game is sponsored by the Haverhill Historical Society and promises to be a great day.

From the South and East:
95 North to Exit 54B (or Exit 54 if heading 95 South) towards Route
133 West. Continue straight for approx. 6 miles until you cross an
iron bridge. After the bridge, follow road to the left and past Market
Basket shopping plaza. Just before brick wall, turn left into driveway
of Riverside Park.

The Boston Beaneaters traveled to Long Island NY this past weekend to participate in the 11^th annual Old Bethpage Festival.  On Saturday the Beaneaters were matched up against the Elizabeth Athletic Club but I guess they got nervous and decided to leave.  We ended up playing a mixed nine squad made up of members of the EAC, Providence Grays, and NY Gothams.  Drew Murphy took the mound and was dominate in the 13-2 win.

On Sunday we were matched up against the Providence Grays and after a back and forth battle the score was 7-7 through nine innings.  Unfortunately we were on a time limit and could not go into extra innings so we had to settle for a tie.

The Beaneaters would like to thank all of the people who put the festival together and the Providence Grays for chipping in and on Saturday and making something out of nothing.  We would also like to thank them for a great game on Sunday.

Bethpage Pics http://www.flickr.com/photos/28827726@N04/sets/72157606557745482

Upcoming Events

Sunday August 10^th 12pm at Glen Magna/ Endicott Park in Danvers, MA.  http://www.glenmagnafarms.org/gm/directions.html

The Essex Base Ball Club will take on the Lynn Live Oaks in 1861 rule action.  This game will be open to the public so anyone wishing to try their hand at vintage base ball can join in and play.  Admission is free but donations are welcome.  Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy the action.

The boys of Massachusetts were up to the task this weekend as both the Live Oaks and Essex Nine defeated the Flemington Neshanock of Flemington, NJ.  The local nines could not have asked for two better days of vintage base ball action, as the setting of Fort Warren on Georges Island is the perfect spot for vintage base ball action.  For the Live Oaks the two wins on Saturday makes five in a row for the feisty club.  The Essex Nine was happy to regain their winning ways on Sunday with two impressive wins, including a shut out in the second game.  The scores were lost of the ferry ride back to Hingham but the Organization is happy to have had the Flemington guys make the trip up and look forward to seeing them in the future, there is not a finer group of players and we are happy to have added new friends. 

Click the link below for pictures from Sunday.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28827726@N04/

Or

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29027611@N06/

Lynn hopes to continue its winning ways on Sunday July 27^th as they take on the Melrose Pondfielders at Seaside Park in Marblehead, MA.  The games begin at 11am. 

Directions

114E into Marblehead. When you reach the intersection 114 and Humphrey St. in Marblehead, Marblehead High School will be in front of you. Take a left at this light. At the second set of lights after this, take a right onto Ocean Ave. At the set of lights, take a left onto Atlantic Ave/129. Field is called Seaside Park. It is about a half mile down on the right, across from the police station, which is on your left. Park in the large lot across the street from the park.

On Saturday July 12^th the Lynn Live Oaks squared off against the Melrose Pondfielders and delivered two solid victories 16-5 and 17-3.

Next Game Press Release For This Weekend’s Games

Come join the Lynn Live Oaks and Essex Base Ball Club July 19^th and 20^th for a weekend of 19^th century base ball action as the Flemington Neshanock’s of Flemington, NJ travel to historic Fort Warren on Georges Island in Boston Harbor for a weekend set of games.  Fort Warren served as a training ground and prison during the Civil War which makes it the ideal fit for 1861 base ball.  Along with the games there will be several exhibit pieces on 19^th century baseball on display and a rendition of “Casey at Bat” by Bradley Shaw of the Neshanock’s between games.  Along with the games, which will be at 11 and 1pm on both Saturday and Sunday, kids will be allowed to take a few swings and run the bases between games.  For more information on how to get out to the island check  http://www.bostonislands.com/trip_getthere.html

For more information on 19^th century baseball contact Brian Sheehy at historyball@yahoo.com or at 978-790-5707 or you can check out our web site at www.essexbaseball.wordpress.com

On Saturday the Boston Beaneaters traveled to Waterbury, CT to play against the Hartford Senators and the Whatley Pioneers.  The first game against the Senators was a greatly anticipated rematch and saw Chris “The Monkey” Sheehy return to the mound to revenge the loss of two weeks earlier.  The Beaneaters ran off to a 9-0 lead but in the 6^th the Senators marched back behind some Beaneater errors to make it 9-8.  Despite the errors the Beaneaters were able to hold on 9-8 for the victory.

The second game saw Drew Murphy take the mound for the Beaneaters, and for not hurling at all this season he pitched a gem hurling 7 innings allowing only 2 runs.  The Pioneers were equally tough in the field but the Beaneaters were able to tally 3 run.  For the Beaneaters the day was highlighted by great pitching and clutch hitting.  The Beaneaters improve to 4-1 on the season.

Sunday was not so good for the Essex Nine. The first game saw Essex matched up against the Brooklyn Atlantics.  For 6 innings the two clubs played strong defense and matched run for run but then something happened to the Essex defense and the Atlantics capitalized to the tune of 8 runs and Essex was never able to mount much of a comeback. 

The next game against the Waterbury Connors was not much better.  Errors and lack of hitting killed the Essex Nine and allowed the Connors to enjoy yet another victory against the Nine.  Check our photo section for pictures of the weekend.

Lynn returns to action July 12^th against the Melrose Pondfielders at Endicott Park in Danvers, MA. 

On Saturday Essex faced off against their long time foe the Melrose Pondfielders at Perley Elementary School in Georgetown, MA.  The games were sponsored by the Georgetown Historical Society and were well attended.  The games saw the Essex Nine in mid season form handling the Pondfielders easily in both games.  The Essex squad would like to thank Melrose for making the trip up and the Georgetown Historical Society for putting together a fine event. Check out the photo section for some pictures of the day. 

On Sunday the Lynn Live Oaks traveled to Fitchburg to take on the up and coming Fitchburg Rollstones.  The Live Oaks were able to split the doubleheader with the Rollstones.

Unfortunately the 7^th annual Hot Dogs and Hits event on Monday night was canceled in Danvers due to harsh rain.  There has been no indication of a make up.   

The Boston Beaneaters and Essex Nine return to action this weekend as they travel to Waterbury, CT.  On Saturday 12pm, the Beaneaters get another crack at the Hartford Senators, then at 2:30 they take on the Whatley Pioneers.  On Sunday the Essex Club will face off against the always strong Brooklyn Atlantics and then Waterbury Connors.

On Saturday the Boston Beaneaters matched up against the powerful Hartford Senators.  Despite a shaky first inning the Beaneaters were able to take a 6-4 lead into the bottom of the 8th behind the strong pitching of Chris “The Monkey” Sheehy, but with two out and the always dangerous Chris “Grit” Moran up for the Senators the Beaneaters were not out of the woods.  Grit hit a ground ball to the shortstop and the throw went inches beyond the first basemen’s hands allowing two runs to score the game to be tied.  Next batter up hit a ball over the center fielders head which put the Senators ahead for good.  The game was one of the best for the season, the Beaneaters hope to play the Senators again this season.

The Essex Base Ball Club sailed out to Georges Island on Sunday to play the Waterbury Connors and despite horrible weather and a few last minute player cancellations the day was deemed a success for all.  The club is looking forward to heading back out to the island in July.  Check out our photo section for pictures of the day. 

Coming Up…
Saturday June 21st the Essex BBC will face the Melrose Pondfielders at 1pm at Perley School (51 North St.) in Georgetown, MA.  The games will begin at 1pm and are sponsored by the Georgetown Historical Society.     

Sunday June 22nd The Lynn Live Oaks will travel to Fitchburg to play the Fitchburg Rollstones at 12pm (100 Goodrich St. Fitchburg, MA)

Monday June 23rd- the 7th annual Hot Dogs and Hits at Endicott Park in Danvers.  Come see the Essex Nine match up again with the Pondfielders.  Games begin at 6pm.

The Essex Nine and the Lynn Live Oaks traveled this past weekend to Spencer Pierce Farm in Newbury, MA to take on the always powerful Waterbury Connors.  Despite both squads losing their games against the Connors and having to withstand 90+ degree heat the day was a huge success for the organization.  The people at Spencer Pierce estimated that there were 300 fans throughout the day and many said how much they enjoyed the games.  The clubs look forward to heading back there in September.  Check out our picture section for pictures from the day.  On a side note- the Essex Club must say that the Newbury little leaguers that they played were fine ballists and we look forward to again avenging a heart breaking loss to them in September. 

Coming Up

The Boston Beaneaters return to action this weekend on Saturday as they participate in a 5 team tournament in Brighton, MA.  The details and times are still being worked out but they will join the Boston Colonials, Hartford Senators, RI Game Hens, and NH Granite.

On Sunday the Essex Nine does not have to wait long to avenge their lost this past weekend as the Connors travel back up to the Boston area to participate in a Father’s Day celebration on Georges Island in Boston.  The games are scheduled for 11am and 1pm.  For more information on the ferry and George’s Island check out http://www.bostonislands.com/events_results_detail.asp?ID=697&curric=false