Short and Sweet!

The newly formed Mechanicsburg Nine 19th C. Base Ball Club was victorious in their first ever match. The club hosted The Potomac Nine from Gaithersburg, MD on Sunday (June 6) at Metro Bank Park on City Island in Harrisburg, PA following the Senators home game against the Akron Aeros.

What looked to be a wash out for players and fans alike, quickly turned into a day full of America's pastime - after a 1-hour rain delay. Following the Senators loss to the Aeros of Akron, the fans were treated to a short 3 inning exhibition game of base ball according to the rules and customs of 1864.

The Potomac Nine, with assistance from three local ballists from Washington Fire Company #1, struck first in the top of the first frame - with one tally as a result of two well struck balls, a stolen base and an errant throw from the short scout. After retiring their opponents, the Nine from Mechanicsburg struck quickly in the bottom of the first frame. Showing no real signs of being rookies, Mechanicsburg struck the ball with authority and ran the bases with true ginger. At the conclusion of the 1st inning, the tally was Mechanicsburg 3 - Potomac 1.

Potomac added two more tallies in the second frame with well placed hits and aggressive base stealing. However, the second frame proved to be the deciding point of the game as the flood gates opened for the home club with a flurry of hard struck balls and several stolen bases, including home base. At the end of the second inning Mechanicsburg was safely on top by a tally of 10 to 3.

The final frame ended with both sides retiring the other with no additional scores. All in all, both squads adeptly demonstrated the play of 19th C. Base Ball. The cranks and the Senators staff enjoyed a fast-paced, hard-played game. The Senators have already inquired about another match most likely to be scheduled next season. The Mechanicsburg Nine is looking forward to their next full match which should be scheduled soon.

Mechanicsburg Nine

The Mechanicsburg Vintage Base Ball Club is now recruiting and accepting membership for men 17 and older in this newly formed ball club. If you have never heard of Vintage Base Ball until now, but you truly have a heart for America's grand old game and how the game was meant to be played, then you need to come to one of our practices. Vintage “base ball”(two words in the 19th century) is best described as "a game that educates people as to the origins of our national pastime, as well as showcases the early rules and customs of the sport, which stress honor, sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct and community pride. It is welcomed by spectators as a breath of fresh air from the commercialism and aggression of modern sports. As such, it is considered a genuine family activity. There are typically two distinct eras represented by vintage base ball clubs — Civil War era and post-Civil War. The first play by 1860s rules and the latter by 1880s rules." (Friendsofvintagebaseball.org)

We practice every Monday evening at 6 PM behind West Shore Evangelical Free Church on Williams Grove Road in Mechanicsburg. Contact Doug Pendergist at dougpend@yahoo.com for more information. By the way, don’t bring your glove – they weren't used in 1867

Mechanicsburg Nine Roster

Russ "Shaggs" Daniels
Justin "Bulldog" Deemer
Brian "Lefty" Garrido
Phil "Spuds" Heinick
Rich "Grumpy" Heinick
Joe "Meatloaf" Houck
Ben "the Bullet" Kauffman
Bill Lindoerfer
Doug "Pops" Pendergist
Ryan "Express" Pendergist
Matty "the Crank" Pendergist
Greg "Hammie" Rudder
"Irish" Mike Sullivan
"Pip" Walsh
Phil "Smokey" Walsh