It was quite the weekend for the Essex Base Ball Organization as beautiful Spencer Peirce Little Farm in Newbury witnessed five games on both Saturday and Sunday featuring all four of our league teams.
Saturday
On a warm June morning (that finally felt like summer was near) for base ball the Live Oaks of Lynn met their friends the Rockinghams of Portsmouth for a spirited double header. The first game saw the Rockinghams jump out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but the Live Oaks would not be out done, coming back to score 9 runs on some timely hitting and a few defensive miscues by the Rockinghams. The Rockinghams chipped away at Lynn’s lead for the next few innings while holding the Oaks to minimal runs. In the end, Lynn’s bats came through a few more times and carried them to a 14-8 victory in game 1.
Game 2 between the Live Oaks and the Rockinghams got off to fast start with both teams scoring early and the Rockinghams jumping out to an early 3-2 lead after the 1st. However the Rockingham’s could not overcome Lynn’s muscle at the plate as the Live Oaks continued to tack on runs in almost every inning. Portsmouth fought back with some late inning rallies but there was simply not enough to overcome Lynn’s bats on Saturday as the Live Oaks swept the double header with a 16-8 victory.
Sunday
Game 1: Clamdiggers defeat Lowell 14-9
Both teams bats were blazing just like the 90 degree heat. Jon “Poster Boy” Streff continued his daisy cutter rampage driving in numerous runs. Dan “Minute Man” Kent was a wall at short stop, Jon “Mystery Man” Curley threw out a runner trying to steal third base, and Pat “Short Order” Cook kept the Lowell bats from any big innings.
Game 2: Lowell defeat Boston Beaneaters 29-1
Lowell after a crushing defeat in game one came out swinging scoring 15 runs in the first inning and never looked back. Strong defense and solid hitting led the way for Lowell. The single Beaneater run came in the 7th inning of a shortened 7 inning game.
Game 3: Clamdiggers beat Boston Beaneaters 25-4
The Clamdiggers’ bats came alive again in the third inning putting up 13 runs. Matt “Queen of Diamonds” Larrabee homered when a high fly ball to left was lost in the high grass. Adam “the Professor” Gilbert also struck the ball consistently. Pat “Boom Boom” Wadland made the catch of the year navigating the high grass in left field gracefully. He caught the ball falling backwards and disappeared momentarily until he raised his hand in the air with the ball.
Highlight of the day was the large crowd of little leaguers from the Byfield Little League who came out to cheer on the local guys. A crowd favorite was Chris “Monkey” Sheehy. He baseball card was highly sought after and his autograph was in high demand
*Photos by Jennie Lynch
Essex Base Ball Club 
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