In vintage base ball circles the oft repeated statement 'vintage base ball, where every play is an adventure' could never had been truer than on Saturday when the Newtown Sandy Hooks visited the pristine expanses of Veteran's Park in Ridgefield, Connecticut to meet the Ridgefield Nine to celebrate the town's 300th anniversary.

The neighboring clubs, having meet on two previous occasions, were well acquainted with each other's talents as they assembled on a clammy summer's day that held high expectations for all parties. In spite of well over an inch and a half of rain having doused the area overnight, it was everyone's hope the wet and slippery conditions would not influence events on the field; little did they know what an impact it would have on the outcome of the play. The spongy quality of the playing surface struck an ominous warning to all; this would be no ordinary base ball match!

As both clubs assembled to warm-up on the sidelines the hillside flourished with hundreds of avid cranks, curious citizenry, irksome politicians, a jazz band from Sandy Hook (The Bearcats) and a weather forecaster (Ira Joe Fisher) for good measure hoping to experience the earliest form of our national pasttime.

As the national anthem was played under threatening skies, a copious crowd estimated at more than 400 settled in to partake of what would be a highly entertaining if not elegant spectacle.

The Ridgefield Nine, formed for the sake of this event, was the handy work of Dave Scott, a local baseball historian and administrator mustered into service by Rudy Marconi the town's First Selectman and architect of the Tercentennial event. The Scott name is synonymous with Ridgefield history and baseball and on this day would be a fundamental ingredient in the day's activities. Mr. Scott rounded-up the core of an over thirty baseball team (the Ridgefield Reds) to play host to a Newtown squad made-up of diverse irregulars and enthusiasts who unite for the occasional sporting event. 'Scottie' Scott managed the Ridgefield side while 'Orvil' Scott manned the hurler's position and first sack, and Matt Scott assumed the role of umpire for the match.

To say the two clubs were equal with regard to preparation and balling expertise would be as naive as to suggest the Brookfield Militia is equal to the Army of the Republic in a skirmish. In spite of that fact, the stage was set and both sides took their place on the field of battle.

After a couple of innings, as both clubs became accustomed to the dicey pitch, the Ridgefields finally acquired their sea legs and took advantage of opportunities to punch holes in the Newtown defense. The adept Ridgefield strikers used a line-drive strategy to pepper the middle of the diamond and subverted the normally sure footed Newtown fielders in their tracks.

At the same time, the seemingly less disciplined Sandy Hook hitters found little to advance their cause as they squandered numerous opportunities to keep pace with their adversaries.

The frantic pace of the match held everyone breathless as fielders and base runners slipped and splashed around every corner of the field. The local cranks reacted to the vaudevillian antics of the waterlogged participants with excitement and praise.

The play that got the biggest cheer from the cranks was when Ridgefield's right fielder, 'Gator' Terbrusch, dove for a foul skyball and surfed through a considerable puddle on his chest. He missed the catch but won the screaming admiration of all in attendance. 'Pops' Papa legged a long run to snare a skyball in the deep left garden and 'T-Bone' Debany snared another in left that seemed out of reach but eventually resulted in a double play.

At the end of five grueling innings, as the partisan cranks continued to exalt every play, the game became clearly out of reach for the Sandy Hooks as the home side barreled to a 15 to 3 advantage.

While many of the local faithful considered exiting the ball yard to ready themselves for the evening gala, Newtown spirits were lifted as their bats finally awoke from their languor in innings seven, eight and nine as ten hard earned aces appearing on the scorecard for the resilient Hooks. 'Express' Pendergist started a number of scoring parades with 'Pops' Pendergist, 'Bingo' Long, 'Zack' Wheat, '90' Keane, 'Herman' Weiner and hurler 'Hoboy' Norwich following suit. In the ninth 'Moose' Margolus doubled to center followed by singles by senior Pendergist, Long and Wheat that closed the book for the day for Newtown.

Unfortunately, it was too little too late as the Ridgefields coasted to a decisive 22 to 13 victory, and Selectman Marconi coasted to a full course lobster dinner compliments of his cross-county neighbor Selectmen Borst.

Of special note, Ridgefield starting hurler 'Orvil' Scott pitched for three innings while surrendering only one ace, followed by 'Deeker' Briody for two innings and was the pitcher of record when the winning run was scored.

Norwich went the distance for the Sandy Hooks and took the loss while contributing 3 for 5 at the dish. Long, Weiner and Wheat had equally productive days at the plate while the two Pendergists showcased their cunning on the base paths.

Ridgefield's best hitting performance came from 'King Fish' Sammon who was 4 for 4 and scored 3 runs. 'Schuppy' Schupmann was 3 for 4, manager Scott was 2 for 4 and scored 3 runs. 'Knucks' Stockel was 2 for 3 with 2 runs. Extra base hits were delivered by 'Gibby' Gibbons, 'Scoop' Towers and 'Sparky' Anderson, who also demonstrated his brilliance at behind. 'Lusty' Lustberg and 'Gentle Ben' Shaw both singled and scored. Rookie 'Big Train' Conway delivered astonishing long balls and scored a run.

As the Ridgefield Nine spoke glowingly of the Sandy Hooks' sportsmanship and grit as they staged a late-inning comeback, post game Huzzahs and toasts honored both sides.

Both clubs are grateful to Ridgefield's avid 'cranks' of all ages who witnessed and embellished every twist and turn of the match on what will be long remembered as an exciting and memorable day in Ridgefield history.

Ray 'Shutta' Shaw

Special thanks go to Dave Scott for providing important details from the match, Rudy Marconi who had the vision to make the event possible, and Pamby Motors for sponsoring the event.