By Ray Shaw

SMITHTOWN, New York – Saturday last the Newtown Sandy Hooks took their show on the road again to play a much anticipated ‘1864’ match with the cross sound rival Brooklyn Atlantics at storied Atlantic Park on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society.

The morning was gray and threatening as the players launched their cross-sound journey but by game time the clouds seemed to have postponed their deluge for after the main event. In spite of that fact, moist grounds and the unique character of this 19th century venue played a significant role in the outcome of the day’s events.

As captain ‘Hammy’ Obidienzo, and founders ‘Pigtail’ Elmore and ‘Trotter’ Dragonetti welcomed the Sandy Hooks to their palatial grounds, the visitors quickly realized they were in the presence of royalty. These were the true architects of the vintage base ball movement; passionate base ball historians who have helped shape the resurgence of the old game starting back in the late ‘90s. At the same time, the Atlantic Club has maintained a reputation for being consistent winners and on this day presented a 24 and 4 record for the ‘06 season to their less prolific opponent.

The Sandy Hooks, who assembled a seasoned squad of overhand veterans with little experience in the ‘64 game went to class with umpire ‘Pigtail’ Elmore who patiently outlined the unique ground rules of the park. In many ways the Sandy Hook veterans where familiar with many of the conditions as the Atlantic grounds which closely resemble the Hook’s favorite park, McLaughlin Vineyard in Sandy Hook with its abutting tree lines, misplaced hazards and undulating turf.

‘Chief’ Dieckman toed the line for the Hooks as brother ‘Shoeless’ manned third, ‘Sparks’ Marcucilli played short scout, ‘Express’ Pendergist handled second sack and ‘Muhl’ Snyder managed first. ‘Mister’ Edwards, ‘Pops’ Pendergist and ‘Moose’ Margolus patrolled the garden while ‘Rock’ Zulli returned to catching duties at the dish after a long layoff from broken fingers.

‘Bulldog’ Paes and ‘HeyU’ Sorensen (still searching for a nickname) played ably in utility roles and batted in turn with the first nine.

The founder of the modern day Atlantic BBC, Jim ‘Trotter’ Dragonetti, pitched for the home town nine and managed to hold the Hooks at bay in the first inning. In the following half inning the visiting nine treated the homeside to a typical serving of ‘Newtown jitters’ handing their hosts a couple of go ahead runs … just to make the game more interesting. By the second frame the Newtown side had settled down and began making noise of their own while holding the opponents scoreless.

As the innings wore on, both sides matched each other run for run with the Sandy Hooks unable to get the advantage. Captain ‘Pops’ Pendergist tried on numerous occasions to push his nine into the lead but was thwarted at every conceivable turn with surface to air missiles that usually culminated in lazy ‘bound’ outs. At one point late in the match ‘Pops’ drove a ascending rocket into the grove along to the third base line which abruptly caromed off an ancient elm and shot back with equal pace into the waiting hands of a startled ‘Shakespeare’ Van Zant playing third sack.

As the game progressed and the two teams matched each other in the scoring column, it was clear to see that even though the Atlantics pride themselves on their run and gun offense, it seemed the Hooks had found the formula to reverse roles and keep the Atlantics off balance and out of sync. While Atlantic hitters continued to crush the ball to every corner of the yard, the match was highlighted by Newtown’s rally-killing punch-outs at every conceivable base. And, while the Hooks limited the Atlantic’s pace the Hooks manufactured runs of their own with timely hitting and savvy baserunning by Snyder, Edwards, the Dieckmans, Zulli, Pendergist and Margolus.

In the top of the ninth, down by one and still some powder in their gun and the smell of blood in the air (probably from the pricker bushes in deep right) the Hooks manufactured three golden runs that cinched victory for their cause and put their name in the record book.

Final tally: Newtown Sandy Hooks 12, Brooklyn Atlantic 10.

After a long break between games, both teams went to work with ‘Tree’ Ness hurling for the home side and ‘Rock’ Zulli spreading his magic for the Hooks. In the end, the Atlantic prevailed to hand the visiting Sandy Hooks a hard fought but resounding loss.

The significant turning point in the game, that proved to take whatever remaining wind was left in the Sandy Hook sails, came early on in the match when an Atlantic drive landed neatly in the quagmire of brambles in right field. This fair hit was ruled in-play and no effort short of an act of congress or bushhog was able to retrieve the ball in time to prevent the bases from being cleared by the home town nine.

After this point, the match thankfully moved on at a rapid pace and both teams retired before the approaching storm made the field unplayable. Both squads closed with the traditional greetings, hand shakes and good cheer.

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