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Following the 2005 season, the consensus of the Newtown Sandy
Hook ballists was, the earliest game of base ball was the least
loved of all the vintage games they had played. In its infant
season, the club played 1861, 1876 and 1886 rules base ball but,
for a number of reasons, the '1861' game was their Waterloo.
In four games in 2005, the Waterbury club was a single stumbling
block that wouldn't go away. The Connors exhibited great athleticism,
fielding and hitting skills in 'showing' the local nine how the
game was supposed to be played.
On Sunday, the Hooks kicked-off their second season against
their old nemesis at Chase Collegiate School in Waterbury and
within minutes the host club began reopening old wounds. On this
day, despite a shortage of regulars, the Connors went to work
carving up the Newtown defenses, putting hit after hit together,
taking advantage of the Hooks inability to make key plays and
hold on to the ball. And, in the end, the visitors whose numbers
included four rookie ballists looked drawn and quartered as they
left the Waterbury grounds.
Through untold effort and determination, some strategic juggling
by Hooks management including moving the Newtown bench to the
Waterbury side of the field (to avoid swarming creatures), the
Hooks were unable to gain any real momentum in either game, and
left wondering what they'd have to do to master this "60's
game". In the end, the answer was simple: Newtown turned
out to be their own worst enemy as they registered a jaw dropping
26 errors in the two games. Somehow, the season had arrived too
quickly and the Hooks could see, they really weren't prepared
for the long and challenging season ahead.
In an obvious understatement after the match, Waterbury Captain
Jim Wigren said: "To win this game, you need to catch the
ball." Simple on the surface, but for some of the new (as
well as seasoned) ballists who have spent their entire lives
relying on huge, oversize leather bread baskets with automatic,
ball trapping pockets, this can be a tall order. It is clear
to all, vintage base ball is a different animal and every level
takes unique skill and determination to master.
Hat's off to the Waterbury Connors - they are terrific competitors
and have a base ball complex second to none.
The Hooks now realize: Life comes at you fast and
there's no time for Spring Feeeeeeveeeer!
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