In spite of submarginal, subtropical weather and the first real taste of Fall, the Newtown Sandy Hooks and the Hartford Senators met on Sunday in a split squad game at the St. Rose Oktoberfest on the St. Rose Grounds in Newtown to close-out the '05 season for both clubs. Because of the questionable nature of the weather conditions the Senators were unable to attract a full squad to the Newtown match so not to let the home cranks down, the Hooks eventually mustered enough bodies to fill out both squads. A spirited game emerged in front of an eager, yet partisan crowd who braved the muggy conditions to experience old time base ball and partake of the festivities.

The pitch was set for an '1886' match as 'Pop' O'Maxfield presided over the scene. The captains received their instructions and Brian 'Tex' Casey and Steve 'Big Train' Burke manned the box for their respective teams. As a light mist coated the grounds, the Senators with their makeshift line-up of regulars Burke, Moran, Moore and Durham supported by new Westfield (MA) general manager Dan Genovese and Sandy Hooks Rory Dieckman, Dennis Norwich, Rob and Ryan Pendergist lit up the chalkboard for the first five innings of the game with constant pressure and run-scoring momentum. Since the shortened field slopped to a swampy quagmire in left, many otherwise harmless base hits were relegated to ground-rule doubles which took its toll on the otherwise solid Newtown defensive effort.

The Sandy Hooks were slow matching the momentum of the Senator-Hooks until the sixth inning when the heart of the order (Zulli, Marcucelli and 'Tex' and 'JR' Casey, and Smith) applied pressure to Burke and his supporting irregulars. In the seventh Margolus, 'Chief' Dieckman, Marcucelli and 'Tex' Casey punched a couple more across, and in the eighth 'JR' Casey, Smith and 'Pops' Pendergist reignited the locals with additional aces. In spite of clear opportunities by the home nine, giving hope that Newtown could finally avenge earlier defeats at the hands of the Senators, the Hooks efforts were effectively squashed by the Hartford-Newtown-New Jersey-Massachusetts contingent. The match eventually ended with a 15 to 9 run advantage to the visitors.

A high point came in the fourth inning on a monstrous home run struck by Rob Pendergist (Sandy Hook now Senator) that settled deep in the swamp for a long winter's nap. Many wondered aloud how such a talent could have been loaned to a less worthy rival. In spite of this fact later in the game, Pendergist slammed a screaming liner that struck his newfound teammate 'Bull' Durham squarely in the leg, which caused everyone to hold their collective breath in hopes of not seeing a reenactment of last week's Hens game in Danbury. Even though Durham showed little ill effect from the vicious affront, the Senators bench remained curiously vacant for the duration of the game.

Bemused Senators 'Plywood' Moore and Captain 'Grit' Moran analyze their eclectic lot.		Uncle Rob and Ryan Pendergist provided unparalled offensive and defensive support to the visiting Senators.		'Chief' Dieckman digs-in against 'Big Train' Burke.
'Pops' Pendergist kept most of the Senators on their toes in later innings while his Sandy Hooks worked on a first class comeback strategy.		'Sparks' Marcucelli and 'Rock' Zulli determine that fresh Lowenbrau on nearby hillside will improve the Senator's hand eye coordination and soothe Zulli's swollen catching hand.		Jonathan Smith contributed key hits and rbi's to Sandy Hook's effort as Pops O'Maxfield tries to focus on the game and not the background polka music that played throughout the match.
'Moose' Margolus snares another screemer deep in the hole while 'Sparks' Marcucelli covers the the line.		A Father's Plight: Pops' Pendergist considers how to pitch against son and brother while grandpops Pendergist considers his talented family of ballists.		'Grit' Moran introduces Dan Genovese of the Westfield Wheelmen to Newtown Sandy Hook's vintage base ball effort.

	'Rock' Zulli lashes a Burke offering toward the bog that would drive in a run in the seventh.
	Rob Pendergist punishes a Sandy Hook offering (into the bog for a home run) prior to punishing his adopted teamates for sitting to close to the action.

As the fog settled on the bog and the prevailing mist overtook the field, the two nines retired to a round of Lowenbraus and brats offered by the Oktoberfest hosts. All agreed (including the soggy cranks) it had been a highly entertaining and successful day and a magical season; the Sandy Hooks are more confident than ever that if they could just muster the same firepower for their own cause, in future matches, they could become masters of their destiny in vintage ball. Hope seems alive for an even more successful '06 season. Plans are quietly underway to try to move Rob Pendergist from NJ to western CT. [Ray Shaw]

	An original poem penned and offered by Hartford Senator team historian & vintage umpire Pops O'Maxfield sums up the Newtown Sandy Hooks premier season and expectations for the future.   There is nothing so sublime As the class of the Hooks nine And the boys who wear the red crest So proudly upon their chests, The day will soon draw near when the town will roar its cheer To tell the tales of their heroic story Of the year 2005 and all their diamond glory. The rookie season wanes for you But not before a hearty brew A toast to all the Hooks boys who are so true, Soon memories and tales be told Of your first year of play, so bold And of youthful days ere we all grow too old.    Pops O'Maxfield (2005)    Taylor 'JR' Casey studies 'Big Train's' serve.