Saturday was a particularly inhospitable day in New England as low hanging clouds, thunderstorms, mist and rain prevailed across Connecticut. In spite of that fact, a small contingent of Newtown ballist struck out for a scheduled round-robin match at New London's storied Fort Trumbull for what would be a highly entertaining and productive day for the home side.

Coming off a successful two game sweep of the New London and Waterbury clubs last Saturday in Coventry, Rhode Island, captains Wheat and Snyder were confident their charges could prevail in spite of anticipated low attendance. It wasn't until the club arrived at fog shrouded Fort Trumbull that the club became acutely aware of how really dire the situation had become. Only seven of an anticipated eleven players had arrived from the west, while number eight, 'Mits' Silkowski, who spent the night flying from LA to Newark, was hours away.

As game time approached, Wheat and Snyder scrambled into action and negotiated with the New London club to gain the use of an eighth player to fill in right field while the remaining seven Sandy Hooks took their positions in the field somewhat reminiscent of Eddie Feigner's King and his Court. Wheat, a regular outfielder, manned third, Maleri covered the short and second positions and Norwich ranged between first and second. Brandt and Friedman manned the outer ramparts to the fort in left and center while Edwards and Snyder acted as bowler and behind. New London's lone wolf in right was designated as the last out from the previous inning of Thames' at-bat.

New London, having won first ups, immediately took advantage of Newtown's defensive arrangement, the irregular and soggy ground, numerous misplays in the field due to the wet and slippery ball and the prevailing mist that cloaked the outer reaches to accumulate four quick aces off of the untested battery. But, the situation failed to deter the visitors as Maleri, Wheat and Snyder reciprocated with two aces to keep the match tight. In the second the Thames responded with another ace to pull three runs ahead of their adversaries, as the murky conditions grew worse.

'Mister' Edwards delivers eighteen remarkable innings for two weeks in succession

In the bottom of the second, as fog horns and distant thunder framed the eerie surroundings, Edwards led off the inning with a rooster-tailed grass-cutter up the middle. 'Mister' quickly stole second as the New London catcher mishandled the slithery, waterlogged orb. Brandt, Friedman, Maleri, Wheat, Snyder, Norwich, Edwards, Brandt, Friedman, Maleri, Wheat methodically followed with blast after blast until an overexcited 'Muhl', trying to beat out an infield hit, inadvertently overran first sack and was tagged out to register the first 'hand-down' of the inning.

Thanks to certain base hits by Norwich and Edwards more chaos quickly ensued and additional runs crossed the dish until a dropped skyball to shortstop off of the bat of 'Bullet' Brandt caused major confusion on the fully loaded sacks. Fielders, base runners and umpire in-charge Shaw finally begged for interpretation from resident expert Jim Wyman, who quickly recited a little known '1860's interpretation pertaining to dropped infield fly balls in bases loaded situations (pre-'infield fly rule'). The ruling rendered two Newtown batters 'out' and closed a half inning that saw fifteen batters come to the dish. Having manufactured twelve decisive aces in the second frame, the Sandy Hooks felt no desire to argue the point or question the decision of the Thames right fielder, and the second inning closed with the Newtowners holding a 14 to 5 advantage.

As the match droned on and numerous clouds dumped fresh moisture on to the turf, the ball got heavier and Edwards continued his mastery of the New London club. It was clear the Sandy Hooks had become comfortable and very proficient with their 7 plus 1 defensive alignment, and the Thames batters seemed throttled in any effort to gain on their visitors.

Pete 'Bison' Friedman, making his debut with Newtown, collecting his eighth hit of the day

At the same time, the Sandy Hooks built on their advantage by trading their light-weight contemporary bats for man-size 40 inch, 40 ounce lumber which had the proven advantage of sending the now waterlogged 'grapefruit' to the farthest reaches of the yard. 'Bison' Friedman, a graduate of the Bridgeport Orators playing his first game in sparkling new Sandy Hook livery, and who appears to be one third the size of the aforementioned 'Muhl', choose a substantial '60's style Bulldog 'log' to do his striking for the day and crushed an impressive seven hits in game one, alone.

As the ninth inning came to a close and the storm clouds begun clearing the bay, the Sandy Hooks closed the match with a commanding 23 to 6 advantage.

Due to the limited visibility and an apparent clouded mind, the umpire feigned near-sightedness when asked to render decisions beyond the pitcher's line.

 After a short buffet lunch hosted by the always-hospitable New Londoners, the sun peaked through the clouds and the Bristol Blues appeared on the scene fully ready to take on the Sandy Hooks for the first time in history.

The Blues, who hail from a beautiful spit of land hugging Narragansett Bay, make their home on the Bristol town green where they have been the center of attention on summer afternoons for eleven seasons. The team is comprised of a determined group of seasoned ballists and a highly talented and statuesque pigtailed hurler who slings a vintage sphere with the best of the lads.

At the same time, Sandy Hook number eight appeared from his red-eye from his coast to coast jaunt to solidify his tuckered mates. Feeling that the healthful appearance of the Bristol club and the improving field conditions could be a disadvantage to the Hooks, the captains petitioned the Thames club for a temporary fielder.

The Hooks again drew home field advantage, took their positions and immediately experienced the significant firepower of the Bristol nine who lit-up Edwards like a Christmas tree. Before the smoke had cleared, Bristol rung-up seven unanswered runs and the Hooks like they might be wishing that another cloudburst might reappear on the horizon. It was evident to all in attendance, the Blues were in no mood to play cat and mouse games and accept defeat at the hands of the upstart, undermanned Newtowners.

Bristol's Rogers hurled a phenomenal game giving the Sandy Hooks fits as they tried to sort out her pace and delivery style.

At the same time, the Sandy Hooks were trying to sort out the knee-high deliveries from the Blues accomplished hurler who maintained impeccable velocity and control. Once a Sandy Hook was able to meet a hittable pitch the ball was seized by a sure-handed Bristol fielder, not the least of whom was an athletic center fielder, with the skills and moves of Maleri, who captured copious sure hits while gliding on his buttocks across the glistening garden lawn.

While Edwards bared-down the Newtown defenses held with Maleri and Edwards gobbling-up numerous potential run producers, Friedmen and Brandt climbing the ramparts with abandon and Snyder nailing would-be base stealers in their tracks. In the middle inning of the match, Edwards took a screaming Bristol liner off his pitching hand, which immediately rendered it numb for the next three to four innings. In spite of that and the fact that he was required to check his hand before every pitch to confirm where his fingers were placed, 'Mister' kept the Blues on their toes and away from further trouble for the final innings.

At the same time, the Hooks slowly and surely chipped away at Bristol's seven, then five, then three run advantage until in the last of the seventh, 'Mits' Silkowski honored a Bristol pitch and sent it to the far reaches of the right field breakwater where it settled among the boulders that protect the parade ground. As the right fielder scurried to retrieve the well-placed ball, 'Mits' roared into second sack. The entire near side of the field exploded into applause as a pinch runner replaced the gregarious Silkowski. Suddenly, as the tying run stepped to the plate, it was clear to all, the entire Sandy Hook eight still had fight left in them and could stage a comeback at any time. With three cracks of the bats and back-to-back-to-back base hits, the game was miraculously tied.

Silkowski's big bat ignites game tying rally in seventh against Bristol.

After throttling the Blues in the top of the eighth, 'Crash' Wheat took his place in leadoff position and drove a double to the gap in the bottom of the inning. A follow-up single drove Wheat home and the Sandy Hooks took a satisfying lead for the very first time in the match.

In the top of the ninth, clinging to a one run lead, Edwards bared down again with un-hittable offerings to mow down the disappointed and dejected Blues. Upon closing out the Blues captain with well-placed pitching, the Sandy Hooks capture another glorious victory for Newtown.

For two weekends in succession, a diminished Newtown club has proven they have the skill and determination to prevail against overwhelming odds, and have come to be known as a club recognized throughout the northeast as a force in the annals of 19th century base ball.

The Hooks look forward to future matches with both clubs and thank their New London friends for fortifying their ranks and hosting a most enjoyable and entertaining day.