Category Archives: Team News

A Vintage Base Ball Homecoming for Iraqi Veteran

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Saturday, August 11, 2007, 11 am to 1:30 pm, Hopeville Pond State Park (CT).
FREE admission to game, however, State Park parking fees in effect.

Jay Rainier, a 17-year US Navy vet of submarine and surface vessels, currently stationed in Newport, RI, was sent for a tour of duty in Iraq. Although he’s a resident of Griswold, he plays left field for the Bristol Blues vintage base ball team in Bristol, Rhode Island. His wife Lora and his team have been planning his homecoming for months, and that event will feature a vintage base ball game at Hopeville Pond State Park in Griswold on 11 August, versus the Thames Base Ball Club of New London.

Bristol captain, John Simmons, gave Jay a vintage base ball just before he left last fall. He was told that when he returns it should be put to use in a regular game. John intended the ball be a reminder that there is a normal life back here waiting for him – and that they needed the ball back!

The ball and Jay made it back last week. The game is scheduled to begin at 11 AM on 11 August at the ball field at Hopeville Pond State Park and is open to the public.

The Blues and the Thames Clubs play by the rules of 1861 as part of the New England Vintage Base Ball League. In 1861, gloves and catcher’s equipment hadn’t been invented yet, but neither had the concept of called strikes and walks. It was seen then as a healthful manner for gentlemen to get exercise, and the League attempts to maintain that historic character in the matches of today.

The Thames Base Ball Club is a program of the New London County Historical Society and this is their first year in the League which began six years ago. Their record so far this year is 6 – 4 – 1 (tie called due to a time limit) playing teams from Waterbury, Bridgeport, Newtown and Columbia, Connecticut, and Essex and Lynn in Massachusetts. The Blues have the reputation as one of the League leaders and their record thus far stands at 4 and 2.

First practice for 2007 season set

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Our first practice of the season will be on Thursday, April 5 at 5:30PM, Fort Trumbull, New London, CT. All those interested in joining our team are encouraged to stop by and check us out.

The Thames Base Ball Club, New London’s team that plays by the rules of 1861, is a member of the New England Vintage Base Ball League and has league matches scheduled for dates in June, July and August. Home matches are played at Fort Trumbull. Last year, the Club’s first year in the League, the Thames River gentlemen had a record of six wins and seven losses.

2006 Season wraps up

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Our first full season, and our first as a member of the New England Vintage Base Ball League, has been a moderate success with a record of 6 wins and 7 losses.

Organizational Meeting Scheduled

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An organizational meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 8th at 5:30 p.m. at the Shaw Mansion on 11 Blinman St., New London. The meeting is open to all who are interested in playing with us in the New England Vintage Base Ball League, which plays games in June, July ang Aug. (home games are at Fort Trumbull.

A Pitch From The Past

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“A Pitch From The Past” – Kathleen Edgecomb/The Day

“The outlook was never brilliant for the Mudville Nine that day Casey came to bat, but the Thames Base Ball Club is hoping to pull off a victory Saturday against the Long Island Atlantics.

The New London County Historical Society is hosting a vintage doubleheader at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Fort Trumbull State Park.

The New London club is new and plays by rules spelled out in 1861. With only three full games played so far, they are still looking for their first win. The Long Island Atlantics like to play by the rules that were adopted in 1864, the year the Brooklyn Atlantics captured the national championship. Called balls and strikes were new at that time.

Saturday is the Thames Club’s final games of the season. One game will be played according to the 1861 rules, the other by the 1864 rules. Seven teams make up the New England Vintage Base Ball League.”