Pittsfield Tournament

If teams had not heard of the Boston Beaneaters before this past weekend they have heard of them after their strong performance in the 2^nd annual Pittsfield Memorial Day Weekend Tournament.  In the first game of the tournament the Beaneaters were matched up against the always-tough Hartford Senators.  With this match up being a rematch from last year’s tournament the Beaneaters were anxious to show the Senators they had improved with added practice, more experience, new uniforms, and a new name.  The Beaneaters went right to work piling on the runs and were boosted by the strong hurling of Chris “Monkey” Sheehy.  In 7 strong innings Sheehy held the Senators to only 2 runs.  Sheehy, while pitching an amazing game, was also aided by the strong defense behind him.  The final tally in game one was 12-2.

Entering the winners bracket for Sunday the Beaneaters were matched up against the newly formed Bridgeport Orators.  After five innings of back and forth fighting the Beaneaters offense exploded in the 6^th and 7^th innings batting around in both frames.  The pitching of Jim “Crazy Legs” Wigren was strong and carried the Beaneaters to a 21-7 victory.  The Bridgeport team is a team to look out for in the future. 

 In the championship game the Beaneaters were matched up against the Pittsfield Elms.  Chris “Monkey” Sheehy took the hill again and battled through a very sore arm and after 5 innings held a 5-1 lead.  The offense for the Beaneaters was lead by Drew Murphy, Brian “Cappy” Sheehy, John “Musket” Monagan, Jim “Crazy Legs” Wigren, and Pat Cook.  The Beaneaters looked poised to take the tournament but a few costly errors and timely hits in the 6^th put the score at 6-5 for Pittsfield going into the top of the 7^th.  In the top of the 7^th the Beaneaters did not give up as Drew Murphy and Pat Cook reached base putting pressure on the Elm’s pitcher, and with Murphy on 3^rd the Elm’s pitcher balked, which tied the game at 6.  In the bottom of the 7^th the Elms were able to put a few runners on and able to capture the win 7-6.  It was a hard fought game in which both sides played tremendous defense and had timely hitting.   It was a great tournament and many were impressed with the skill that the Beaneaters played with.  The Beaneaters look forward to the tournament next year and hope to repeat their success.  The next Beaneater game will be Saturday June 16^th as they square off against the Providence Grays in an 1884/1886 double header. 

Essex and Lynn return to action this weekend.  Join members of the Essex and Lynn squads Saturday June 2^nd at 1pm at Burnham Rd in Methuen as they take on the Ken Waldie Senior Sports Circuit.  On Sunday both Essex and Lynn participate in a NEVBBL tournament in Bristol, RI. 

Rain…. Rain

Unfortunately the Sheep Shearing Festival scheduled for Sunday May 20^th was canceled due to rain.  The Essex Club was looking forward to the day and seeing their good friends the Melrose Pondfielders, but Mother Nature did not corporate.  On the bright side the off week gives Essex and Lynn time to gear up for a busy June.  The month of June kicks off Saturday June 2^nd with an exhibition against the Ken Waldie Senior Sports Club in a 1861 game followed by a modern softball game. The games start at 1pm at Burnham Rd. Methuen, MA. The weekend then heats up Sunday as Essex and Lynn participate in the first of three New England Vintage Base Ball League tournaments in Bristol, RI.

The Beaneaters hope to continue their winning ways this Memorial Day weekend as they participate in the 2^nd annual Pittsfield Tournament.  The Beaneaters face off on Saturday against the always powerful Hartford Senators at 1:30.  This is a rematch of sorts from last year when an Essex/
Waterbury squad lost 7-4.  With a year of overhand pitching experience the Beaneaters look to play an even stronger game and possibly knock off the powerful Senators.  

Beaneaters are Victorious in Inaugural Game

 

On Saturday May 12^th the Boston Beaneaters took the field for the first time as they squared off against the Cornish Game Hens in Warwick, RI.  Chris “The Monkey” Sheehy took the ball for the first start for the new club and pitched a gem.  From the first pitch (which was a strike) to the last he kept the Hens off balance with a hard fastball and a tough change up.  The Beaneater bats were alive in the first two innings scoring 7 runs but after the 2^nd inning the Hen’s pitcher Patrick “Blue” Riley completely shut them down not allowing another run in the game.  The Beaneaters despite only playing with eight players were able to hold off an eighth inning rally by the Hens to preserve a 7-5 victory.  The team would like to thank the Hens for their hospitality and they look forward to playing them several more times this season. 

 

The next game for Beaneaters will be Saturday May 26^th as they square off against the Hartford Senators in the 2^nd annual Memorial Day Tournament in Pittsfield, MA.

Essex returns to the field Sunday May 20^th , 11am and 1pm, as they face the Melrose Pondfielders in conjunction with a sheep sheering festival in North Andover, MA. Directions: http://www.nams.northandoverpublicschools.com/contact.html

The Home Teams Sweep The Day

In a cold but fun day of games the home clubs won the day.  In the first game the Essex Base Ball Club took on the Mudville Base Ball Club of Holliston, MA and behind the strong all around team play won the game 20-3. 

In the second game Essex took on their good friends the Dirigo Club of Augusta Maine and again came out victorious 15-3.  The Essex Club was aided by the return of Dave “Country Boy” Nelson from a two-year absence.

In the final and most exciting game of the day the Lynn Live Oaks squared off against the Dirigo Club.  In a back and forth match the Live Oaks pulled off a bottom of the 9^th walk off hit to capture the win 17-16.

For pictures of the day check out http://fiermonti.net/v-web/gallery/album22

 This weekend marks the inaugural game for the Boston Beaneaters as they face off against the Cornish Game Hens in Warwick, RI.