Belchertown, Mass.

What better way to capture the essence of 19th century life, and see how people might have broken away from the drudgeries of life and war, than play a 19th century style base ball game in the midst of a few hundred plus history buffs on a village green in rural New England?

The Newtown Sandy Hook and Essex Nine provided a small glimpse of that era at play as they met at 'Living History Days' in the Berkshire hills community of Belchertown, Massachusetts. Through the efforts of Brian Sheehy, captain of the Essex club, the two vintage nines squared off in a historically accurate representation of 1861 base ball to demonstrate the game and how it might have been played when our country was engulfed in civil strife.

Base ball was in its infancy but very popular during the Civil War years and that fact isn't lost on the reenactors. On the contrary, these well schooled and equipped ladies and gentlemen are able to recite nearly every aspect of mid-19th century life including 'base ball'.

One Union conscript discussed her passion for the rough and tumble game of 'town ball' as a handmade ball and substantial bat (likely fashioned from a wagon tongue) appeared along with other period tools leaning against a nearby tree.

Another campaign veteran who acted as a wartime illustrator (to document battlefield action before photography was able to capture the picture) provided a captivating display of handmade balls (from his waistcoat pocket) that he created from available materials in hopes of someday playing a 'Massachusetts' style game at his Attleboro homestead.

As the two clubs met at high noon on the designated battlefield/playfield looking down the barrels of rival Union and Confederate artilleries, it was clear New York Rules base ball would require more substantial ground space to be portrayed accurately. The New York game utilizes a significantly livelier ball (although still 'dead' by today's standards) that would surely raise havoc with all within range, damage public and private residence windows in buildings surrounding the field, and do sure harm to numerous horseless carriages (that didn't exist at that time) roaming the village byways surrounding Belchertown Common. The organizers jumped into action at this point and suggested an alternative pitch down the hill from the village, that just might fill the bill.

Surrounded by enthusiastic spectators who had already chosen their spot for the scheduled match, the designated umpire The Honorable 'Greybeard' Peart, provided an extensive description of the pending match and rounded-up all who would listen and marched nearly a hundred strong to the distant ground to commence battle. As the substantial crowd descended the hill to the peaceful ball yard on the road to West Ware, both sides made ready for the match.

Following the ceremonial first pitch, handled masterfully by the distinguished Abraham Lincoln (on hand to debate Mr. Douglas at The Old Stone House on Sunday), the two squads took their positions. The Sandy Hooks, in their bright whites with red and white striped stockings, drew first blood in the top of the first with a spirited exhibition of station-to-station base ball. Their effort resulted in a single, hard earned ace that the exhilarated Hooks would continue to build on throughout the match.

Speared-on but the enthusiastic praise of the spectators, unseen in the annuals of later year Newtown Sandy Hook base ball, the Newtowners continued to chip away at the Essex defenses and through smart, balling skills and aggressive base running the Hooks accumulated a sum total of eight aces by the final stanza.

Even though their experience playing the early rules against Massachusetts based teams has always been positive, coming off a dreadful 0-12 start to the '06 season, the Sandy Hooks anticipated the roof could come falling in at any moment.

Essex initiated their own version of small-ball against Hooks hurler 'Rock' Zulli but sparkling defense supported by awe inspiring acrobat feats (again, unseen in the annuals of Sandy Hook ball) frustrated every Essex charge. In spite of numerous attempts by captain Sheehy to rally his troops and eek out runs using tactics such as the fair-foul hit, the Hooks held their ground and prevailed. As a result, a total of zero aces stood on the board for the Massachusetts nine at the conclusion of the match.

Abe hurles the first pitch	'Rock' serves a Zulli	Abe uncorks a liner

One crank was heard to remark after 'Pops' Pendergist careened off the first sacker, avoided a rundown attempted, and executed a flying 'whogotcha' on his way into second: "Whatta them guys smokin' down thar in Connitikit, some kind of new tobaccy?"

Admittedly, the Essex contingent were without their full compliment of first nine ballists, but for the average spectator as well as avid crank who made the effort to attend, the match provided an entertaining and historically accurate look at base ball the way it might have been played in the mid 19th century.

A local crank, mustered to play for the Essex squad, showed very good form in spite of his questionable attire featuring a tasteless combination of black skivvies and undershirt, which is said to be common in the wilds of Massachusetts.

Hearty praise goes to the momentous effort by all members of the Newtown nine in this significant shutout including Zulli (who pitched all nine scoreless innings), Harmon, Orlando, Pendergist, Marcucilli, Albano, Snyder and the three Dieckman brothers with spiritual assistance from Mr. President (George Cheevers) who took a turn at bat, made an honest hit, and held court from the Newtown Sandy Hook bench throughout the match.

Of special note: the Sandy Hooks registered few, if any, errors in the match which can only be attributed to the hard work, clean living and upright nature of the Connecticut male.

Both sides shared huzzahs, and received a rousing applause from the attendant cranks who in the final analysis behaved with a high level of decorum (no wagering, drunkenness, swearing, or fisticuffs was reported) and, to their credit, reacted to every good play.

Thanks and huzzahs go to the highly professional Belchertown committee who enabled both teams to take part in this incredible event, to Brian Sheehy for organizing the match and bring us all together, and to everyone who made the trip to Belchertown from Newtown and surrounding towns (one family from Bethel traveled the 100 miles to attend the match) to be part of a living history that will no doubt endure into the next century.

We look forward to future matches with the Essex Nine, and hope to take part in similar history based events and find a similarly avid fan base within our own territory.