Play ball: Historic baseball game held in Lambertville

Dave “Illinois” Harris tries to score on a base hit and is tagged out at home. Harris is recovering from a recent hip surgery.

Michael A. Apice

Jeff “Duke” Schneider watches his base hit at home.

Michael A. Apice

Dave “Illinois” Harris delivers a pitch underhand style, just as they did in 1866.

Michael A. Apice

Ernie “Shredder” Albanesius makes a catch on a pop fly to left field. This is before gloves were used. Gloves weren’t introduced until the 1870s.

Michael A. Apice

Players joke around on the field with the “hidden ball trick.”

Michael A. Apice

Tom “Thumbs” Hoepfner waits his turn to bat.

Michael A. Apice

Mark “Gaslight” Granieri makes a call during the game. The umpire would stand off the side of home during games.

Michael A. Apice

Dan “Sledge” Hammer slides into third. Bases were a cloth-filled bag with a belt wrapped around to secure it to the ground.

Michael A. Apice

The style of baseball used in 1866 was called a “lemon peel” design with a rubber core wrapped in yarn and a leather cover.

Michael A. Apice

Ken “Tumbles” Mandel takes a mighty hack.

Michael A. Apice

Joe “Mick” Murray waits his turn to bat.

Michael A. Apice

Neshanock’s Dan “Sledge” Hammer poses for a quick portrait before the game. Players were given nicknames as part of the characters they played from the time.

Michael A. Apice

Starting pitcher Dan “Lefty” Gallagher loosens up before the start.

Michael A. Apice

On deck striker, Chris “Lowball” Lowry, selects just the right pine tar before his at bat. A striker was a term used in cricket and the British game rounders.

Michael A. Apice

A team shot of the Neshanock Baseball Club of Flemington, N.J.

Michael A. Apice

Rene “Mango” Marrero, with a big swing, watches the ball for a hit.

Michael A. Apice

Former softball player Abby Zall tries to field a play at second base.

Michael A. Apice

Posted Thursday, August 3, 2023 12:26 am

A historic recreation baseball game that transported fans back to the summer 1866, took place July 29 at Ely Field in Lambertville, N.J.

Presented by the Lambertville Historical Society, the game – between the Logan Club of Lambertville and the Flemington Neshanock – was played in vintage attire and followed rules that were in place when the original match took place 157 years ago. Players were given nicknames as part of the characters they played from the time.

Ely Field in Lambertville was transformed into a baseball field from 1866 with 90-foot bases. There was no pitcher’s mound; pitchers threw underhand from about 45 feet.

Neshanock defeated Logan 17-7.

Photographs from Saturday’s game have been color toned in keeping with the vintage baseball theme.

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Keywords

Boys of Summer, Baseball, 1866, Lambertville, Logan Club, Neshanock, Lambertville Historical Society

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Play ball: Historic baseball game held in Lambertville

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