Since I had such a good time watching the game on Tuesday I thought we might as well hike on up to Whately for another one. Well Mr. Peabody, I've set the dials to Summer 1886. If you're ready to read about some vintage baseball , then please click the below link to continue.



What a great time we had at this game! The field was cool and the atmosphere light as grown men of all ages suddenly became like boys of the eternal summer once again. Gentlemanly discussion about the vaguery of the ancient rules, and laughter filled plays. Both teams scored into the double digits with plenty of hits by the "strikers".



Here's the second of two doubles hit by Mr. O.



Here's the first clue that the uninformed, say like me, might have about the differences between modern and vintage baseball. Right off the "bat" you can't help but notice that something is different. These gloves are just a thin slap of leather, and form fitting. Already this series has had one serious injury as a result of these thin and little gloves. You may recall number 7's injury from Tuesday? Well you try catching a ball with one of these!



And here's our first "hurler" giving it all he's got. The main difference between the hurler and the pitcher is that the hurler is meant to get the ball into play, although he has a lot more options available to choose from, particularly the quick pitch. Since the striker can’t call a time out, the relationship between hurler and striker is even more intense.



Even the catcher has to contend with skimpy equipment. The padding is thinner, and even the catcher's glove is smaller. Still Mr. O. only sees it as a chance to play lighter on his feet. He told me that a catcher is really much more of a fielder, you can't count on catching the ball he says.



This game is a series within the standard pick games played in Whately, just along the river bend past Sunderland center, over the blue bridge and in the lengthening shadow of Sugarloaf. Here Mr. O. is helping Nails get ready for his position of choice, Catching. This shows the mutual admiration and generally amicable spirit between the players of both teams - they're here to have fun.



Nails just waiting for a chance to catch that foul ball.



Here's Pres, the head of the whole mess. His was the sassy little dog mentioned in the previous game. While trying to get the game's record straight and scratch out some way to get his team ahead in the later half of the game, he couldn't resist trying to get me to sign a little slip of paper. Still, you and I know well Constant Reader, that I would not have made any sort of positive addition to the team. I'm happy for now just to shoot the game, not to blow it.



In the end the Pioneers lost by two or three runs, but only because the sun decided to pack it in and call it a day. Even so, a great time was had by both sides:



When the game ended the Pioneers had lost two of the three games in this series already. Still, they asked the winning team if they minded having another go at it next week, just for the love of it. All agreed, and as required by gentlemen's etiquette, the Pioneers doffed their caps and presented the winning team with a triple chorus of a well roused "Hip! Hip! Huzzah!".



There will be a game next Thursday if anyone is interested! I'll be there, and so too the camera.

To both teams I doff my cap and shout Huzzah!