Atlantic Park, Smithtown, Long Island, NY
Saturday last the Newtown Sandy Hooks took their show on the
road again to play a much anticipated '1864' match with the cross
sound rival Brooklyn Atlantics at storied Atlantic Park on the
grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society.
The Sandy Hooks are winding down from a most disappointing
summer punctuated by inconsistency and instability that has shown
both on the field and in the box score. Yet, as they complete
the '06 schedule they seem to face each game with the same determination
and guile that has brought them praise and approval from all
they meet. With no home field to practice on and marginal support
from town government, the future of the team is in jeopardy but
still they proudly carry the banner for Newtown and Sandy Hook.
The morning was gray and threatening as the players launched
their cross-sound journey but by game time the clouds seemed
to have postponed their deluge for after the main event. In spite
of that fact, moist grounds and the unique character of this
nineteenth century venue played a significant role in the outcome
of the day's events.
As captain "Hammy" Obidienzo, and founders "Pigtail"
Elmore and "Trotter" Dragonetti welcomed the Sandy
Hooks to their palatial grounds, the visitors quickly realized
they were in the presence of royalty. These were the true architects
of the vintage base ball movement; passionate base ball historians
who have helped shape the resurgence of the old game starting
back in the late 90's. At the same time, the Atlantic Club has
maintained a reputation for being consistent winners and on this
day presented a 24 and 4 record for the '06 season to their less
prolific opponent.
The Sandy Hooks, who assembled a seasoned squad of overhand
veterans with little experience in the '64 game, went to class
with umpire "Pigtail" Elmore who patiently outlined
the unique ground rules of the park. In many ways the Sandy Hook
veterans where familiar with many of the conditions as the Atlantic
grounds which closely resemble the Hook's favorite park, McLaughlin
Vineyard in Sandy Hook with its abutting tree lines, misplaced
hazards and undulating turf.
'Chief' Dieckman toed the line for the Hooks as brother 'Shoeless'
manned third, 'Sparks' Marcucilli played short scout, 'Express'
Pendergist handled second sack and 'Muhl' Snyder managed first.
'Mister' Edwards, 'Pops' Pendergist and 'Moose' Margolus patrolled
the garden while 'Rock' Zulli returned to catching duties at
the the dish after a long layoff from broken fingers. 'Bulldog'
Paes and 'HeyU' Sorensen (still searching for a nickname) played
ably in utility roles and batted in turn with the first nine.
The founder of the modern day Atlantic BBC Jim "Trotter"
Dragonetti pitched for the home town nine and managed to hold
the Hooks at bay in the first inning. In the following half inning
the visiting nine treated the homeside to a typical serving of
'Newtown jitters' handing their hosts a couple of go ahead runs,
just to make the game more interesting. By the second frame the
Newtown side had settled down and began making noise of their
own while holding the opponents scoreless.
As the innings wore on, both sides matched each other run
for run with the Sandy Hooks unable to get the advantage. Captain
'Pops' Pendergist tried on numerous occasions to push his nine
into the lead but was thwarted at every conceivable turn with
surface to air missiles that usually culminated in lazy 'bound'
outs. At one point late in the match 'Pops' drove a ascending
rocket into the grove along to the third base line which abruptly
caromed off an ancient elm and shot back with equal pace into
the waiting hands of a startled 'Shakespeare' Van Zant playing
third sack.
As the game progressed and the two teams matched each other
in the scoring column, it was clear to see that even thought
the Atlantics pride themselves on their run and gun offense,
it seemed that the Hooks had found their own formula to reverse
roles and keep the Atlantics off balance and out of sync. While
Atlantic hitters continued to crush the ball to every corner
of the yard, most attempts were highlighted by Newtown's rally-killing
punch-outs at every corner of the diamond. And, while the Hooks
limited the Atlantic's pace the Newtown boys manufactured runs
of their own with timely hitting and savvy baserunning by Snyder,
Edwards, the Dieckmans, Zulli, Pendergist and Margolus.
In the top of the ninth, down by one, with the smell of blood
in the air (probably from the pricker bushes in deep right) and
still appearing to have some powder in their gun, the Hooks manufactured
three golden runs that cinched victory for their cause, and put
their name in the record book. Final tally Newtown Sandy Hooks
12, Brooklyn Atlantic 10.
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