Vintage Base Ball Association

Brooklyn Atlantics Michael "Hobo" Leutz tosses the ball to George "Wild Horse" Ferchland in an attempt to tag out Troy Tucker of the Bovina Dairymen. Tucker beat out the rundown to score safely at home during their vintage base ball match at Atlantic Park on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society. May 6, 2023. In Vintage Base Ball, even though the players and teams are recreating the game as it was in the 1800’s they are playing competitively, and are playing to win.

A sign outside of the Smithtown Historical Society advertises a Vintage Base Ball game at Atlantic Park between the Brooklyn Atlantics and the Providence Grays from Rhode Island. June 3, 2023

Chuck Ciccarello of West Hartford CT. pitches for the Brooklyn Eckfords (wearing the uniform of the Springfield (Mass.) Base Ball Club) during his vintage base ball match against the Bovina Dairymen at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration on the afternoon of May 7, 2023. According to the rules of Base Ball in 1864, the pitch was delivered underhand as opposed to modern baseball’s overhand delivery.

New York Mutual’s Andy “Renman” Lembo on the sidelines of their vintage base ball match against the Monmouth (NJ) Furnace at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration on the afternoon of April 16, 2023. All the teams that play vintage base ball on Long Island today are named and represent historical teams that actually existed and played on Long Island (including Brooklyn) during the 1800’s.

Photo of a vintage base ball game, played in the uniforms and according to the rules of 1864, between the Cold Spring Spiders and the Manetto Hill Surprise at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration on the afternoon of May 21, 2023.

Framed by a waving American Flag, Chuck Ciccarello of West Hartford CT. slides into first base while playing for the Manetto Hill Surprise (wearing the uniform of the Springfield (Mass.) Base Ball Club) during their match against the Farmingdale Modocs at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration on the afternoon of May 28, 2023. According to the rules of Base Ball in 1864 a baserunner could not over-run first base which made for a significant amount of defensive plays at first.

Brooklyn Atlantics, Sean “Toothpick” Ness swings during an at bat against the Providence Grays during their match at Atlantic Park in the Smithtown Historical Society. June 3, 2023. The Red White and Blue Bat he is using was handmade by him. Much of the equipment used in their Vintage matches is made to be accurate to the time period.

Brooklyn Atlantics “Average” Joe Jaffe slides into second base past John “Chico” Finn of the Bovina Dairymen during their 19th century base ball match at Atlantic Park on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society. May 6, 2023

Brooklyn Atlantics, George "Wild Horse" Ferchland prefers to play without shoes during his New York / New Jersey Cup game against the Elizabeth Resolutes at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration on the afternoon of April 16, 2023.

Harry “Slider” Bailey of the Brooklyn Eckfords, center, tries to handle the throw to second as “Iron” Mike Brown, right, of the Bovina Dairymen tries to take the base during their match at the Old Bethpage Restoration Village. Backing up Bailey from left is Eckford’s Tim “Boots D’Agostino. May 7, 2023. In 1860’s base ball fielders did not wear gloves of any kind. All plays and catches were made bear handed.

Brooklyn Atlantics, Phil “Old Soul” Reece of Harlem kisses his bat before coming to the plate during their vintage base ball match against the Providence Grays at Atlantic Park at the Smithtown Historical Society. June 3, 2023.

Referee Gary Monti keeps score during a match between the Cold Spring Spiders and the Manetto Hill Surprise. In 1864, base ball umpires were called referees and were usually someone considered “trustworthy” in the town where they were playing.

Frank “Shakespeare” Van Zant, Manager of the Brooklyn Atlantics, left, and Nick “Roughcut” Frandsen of the Bovina Dairymen, right participate in the “Bat Flip” to determine who’s up first, prior to the start of their match at Atlantic Park, at the Smittown Historical Society. Umpire Davey “Danny” Phillips is center presiding over the flip. May 6, 2023. The procedure begins with a bat thrown in the air and caught by one of the two players. They then proceed to grab the bat hand over hand until whoever is on top chooses wether they prefer to bat or field first.

The New York Mutuals Mark “Brick” Fesolowich slides into home past catcher Andre Condone of the Elizabeth Resolutes during their match at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration on the morning of April 16, 2023.

Detail photo of the game ball during a vintage base ball match between the Brooklyn Atlantic Base Ball Club and the Monmoth Furnace at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration on the afternoon of April 16, 2023. The balls used in vintage base ball are historically accurate to the types of handmade balls used at the time. In 1864 the balls were stitched in a pattern often described at a “star” or “Lemon Peel” stitch. It is made of one piece of leather as opposed to two piece modern balls of today. The balls are slightly larger and heavier than the balls of today but not as strictly regulated. It would start off the game slightly softer than a modern ball. But would get softer throughout the game. Only one ball was used per game.

Providence Grays player Helen Sheldon , front, sits along the sidelines with members of the Brooklyn Atlantics, left to right, Anthony “Dirty “Pirate” Cannino, Jimmy “Bam Bam” Seviour, Greg “Hawk” Dengel, and Dean Emma as they watch the gameplay of their 1884 game at Atlantic Park in the Smithtown Historical Society. June 3, 2023. Most vintage games are played according to the rules of 1864 where players had no protective equipment, and the pitcher delivered the ball underhand. But in 1884, the rules of baseball changed significantly and pitches were delivered overhand and gameplay was changed.

Brooklyn Atlantics Greg “Hawk” Dengel laces up for their 1884 vintage base ball match against the Providence (RI) Grays. At Atlantic Park in the Smithtown Historical Society. June 3, 2023. 1884 matches are rare amongst the teams, most vintage games are played according to the rules of 1864 where players had no protective equipment, and the pitcher delivered the ball underhand. In 1884, the rules of baseball changed significantly, pitches were delivered overhand and catchers started to wear protection and the game began to resemble the game we know today. The Atlantics, being historically accurate, changed from their 1864 jerseys to their 1884 jerseys which are closer to jerseys of the moderne game, laced up in the front and no longer bearing the shield front of the 1864 uniform.

Brooklyn Atlantics Brian "Splinter" Ness steps into the batters box during his 19th century Base Ball match against the Elizabeth Resolutes at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration. April 16, 2023. Detail of the type of uniform used by the team in 1864. With a button on shield front bearing the team name.

Frank “Druid” Pagano, left, and Andy “Renman” Lembo, center, of the NY Mutuals chase down a batted ball during their vintage Base Ball match between the NY Mutuals and the Elizabeth Resolutes at the Old Bethpage Village restoration on the morning of April 16, 2023.

Larry “Milkman” Caputo, left, and Tim “Ducky” Keenan of the Brooklyn Atlantics on the sidelines during their match against the Bovina Dairymen at Atlantic Park, at the Smittown Historical Society. May 6, 2023

Providence Grays Team Captain Brian Travers embraces members of the Brooklyn Atlantics after their vintage Base Ball match at Atlantic Park, on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society on the afternoon of June 3, 2023

Brooklyn Atlantics, Sean “Toothpick” Ness dons period correct catcher’s gear during a rare 1884 game against the Providence Grays at Atlantic Park in the Smithtown Historical Society. June 3, 2023. Most vintage games on Long Island are played according to the rules of 1864 where players had no protective equipment, and the pitcher delivered the ball underhand. But in 1884, the rules of baseball changed significantly and pitches were delivered overhand and catchers began to wear protection.

Nicole “Prancer” LaCagnina on deck for the Mutual Baseball Club of New York during their match against the Elizabeth Resolutes at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration on the morning of April 16, 2023

Anthony “Dirty Pirate” Cannino of the Cold Spring Spiders, addresses the players of both his team and the players of the Manetto Hill Surprise after their vintage base ball match at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration on the afternoon of May 21, 2023.

Anthony “Dirty Pirate” Cannino and Frank “Shakespeare” Van Zant, of the Brooklyn Atlantics on the sidelines during their match against the Bovina Dairymen at Atlantic Park, at the Smittown Historical Society. May 6, 2023

Members of the New York Mutuals salute their visiting competitors the Bovina Dairymen on the field at the close of their match at Old Bethpage Village Restoration on the afternoon of May 7, 2023