“To me, Ray is sort of like Ludwig Beethoven – who, at the end, had lost all of his hearing but continued to conduct his brilliant symphonies through what was playing in his mind. His orchestra may not have been in time or in tune, but he continued to conduct his work as if it was flawless, undaunted by anything. I have often wondered why Ray never plays in the games he has worked so hard to organize, but now realize that he is the ultimate conductor. His satisfaction doesn’t come in the from of ‘how many hits I had today,’ but rather that it was a fine day for a game between the boys. To me, the mark of the ultimate sportsman.” – John “Rock” Zulli

 

By Kim J. Harmon

Even though he is a wonderful graphic designer, using the most modern computer tools available, one still gets the impression that Ray “Shutta” Shaw may have been born into the wrong era.

Maybe it’s his appreciation of the intricacies of fine antiques or the elegance of a 19th century home … but you would have to sit down to dinner with him to learn all about that. Clearly, it’s the passion with which he has embraced the simple ideals of vintage base ball and the zeal he has used to bring those ideals to Newtown that convince you.

Two years ago, Shaw formed a Newtown-Sandy Hook vintage base ball team mainly to put on a demonstration for the Newtown Tercentennial celebration. But today, the Hooks – bigger, better and more visible (have you tried the Morning Crank coffee yet?) – are busily preparing for their third season with more to come.

All the Hooks – heck, all local fans of base ball as it was played more than 100 years ago – owe a debt to Ray Shaw and that is why he has been named The Newtown Bee 2006 Sportsman of the Year.

“After the last major league strike in 1994, I was so disenchanted with the game, I stopped following it. So when I first heard about the Sandy Hooks vintage team I was pretty excited. It embodied the values of the way the game was meant to be played and that peaked my interest. But it wasn’t until I went to the first practice that I saw first hand Ray’s love and dedication to the game of base ball and the Sandy Hook team. None of this would’ve been possible without his passion and commitment. I thank you, Ray, for re-igniting a flame that went out a long time ago – playing ball!” – Phil “90” Keane

Ray has always been interested in baseball history and memorabilia. But it was an article in Smithsonian magazine that really sparked his interest for the vintage game, which uses 19th century equipment and rules and concepts – becoming rarer each year – such as honor, sportsmanship and camaraderie.

A skillful photographer and a magician in Photoshop©, Ray soon became an avid chronicler of the vintage game with his many visits to Old Bethpage, New York, for weekend matches that not only feature players in period uniforms, but spectators – the “cranks” – in period costume, as well.

“Ray has always been a lover of the game, an advocate for its growth, an ambassador, and a perfect gentleman.  He is also committed to documenting the game and, as a result, I have seen him taking pictures from Lowell, MA to Old Bethpage Village Restoration on Long Island.  Ray Shaw is one of the reasons why vintage base ball is a joy to be part of.” – James Wigren, captain of the Waterbury Connors

Ray quickly grew to love the vintage game and was sure, right from the start, he wanted to do more for vintage base ball than simply organize a team for a tercentennial celebration.

“I used the Tercentennial as an excuse to start a team,” Ray admitted. “The committee threw some money my way to outfit a team and I thought I now had the opportunity to start a base ball organization here in western Connecticut.”

“Ray Shaw is bringing back to Newtown a little of its history. Over the past few years, the town has been growing at an alarming rate with new shopping malls and schools. It is just nice to see someone care enough to remind us all that life here 150 years ago was simple and pure. To play vintage base ball with Ray’s team is such an awesome reminder of how my ancestors took the few hours off they had and could sit back and have fun. To lose history does an injustice to the future.” – Randy “Pudgey” Dieckman

Since there already were teams in Hartford (Senators and Dark Blues), Simsbury (Taverneers), Middletown (Mansfields) and Waterbury (Connors) not to mention several Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island teams, there was competition to be found. Sure, the Hooks did not fare all that well when it came to the bottom line numbers that so interest the modern baseball fan – but this was base ball and for most of these men (and, yes, women) it wasn’t about wins and losses.

“It is because of Ray’s vision and passion that I was able to enjoy the greatest baseball experience of my life this past season. This includes all my years of Little League, high school, Legion, college and organized men’s leagues. Bringing vintage base ball to Newtown gave a small group of us the ability to enjoy the game for what it is ... a game.” – Tony “Mudcat” Albano

 

Despite his passion for the game and the players who took to the idea likes moths to a flame, getting started wasn’t all that easy. But Ray kept working at it and working at it and kept pestering local town officials until the Hooks had their own little niche.

“It’s difficult because you have no resource pool to start with,” he said, “and teaching people what they have to do. Plus, we’re working in an environment with few facilities. Though I am a little disappointed with the reaction of the community, since no one in town has really embraced the team, I have been very satisfied with the support I’ve gotten from our players.”

“To the onlooker Ray Shaw is the authentic sportsman, but what he has created with the Newtown Sandy Hooks, what Ray has brought together, goes beyond the Saturday afternoons when bats crack and balls smack into leather. Families break away from the stir, media, and hum of 21st century life and gather together to appreciate a richer side of life. On Saturday afternoons, wives exchange stories, children play and cheer on their fathers, sideline players make forays to greet onlookers to describe the game the way it used to be played, the way it should be played. Family, fun, competition – it is the understatement of the year to call Ray Shaw the sportsman of the year; he is the townsman of the year!” – Keith “Moose” Margolus

And the vintage game is growing – not only here in Connecticut, where the Hooks are prepared to open a partnership with the newfound Bridgeport Orators (named after Hall of Famer and Bridgeport native James “Orator” O’Rourke), but throughout the region and across the country.

“I first met Ray ‘Shutta’ Shaw through the photographs he took of the Hartford Vintage Base Ball Tournament back in 2002. His  passion for the game of base ball showed in his photographs. I  eventually got to know Ray as a man and a friend. As outstanding a photographer that he is, he is a better man. Willing to help without asking why or accommodate us cheerfully. Without Ray’s tireless efforts vintage base ball in Connecticut wouldn’t be as successful or as fun.” – Chris “Grit” Moran, catcher and captain of the Hartford Senators

A vintage base ball association has been formed which would bring together teams from all over the United States and lead to televised vintage base ball World Series. Since many teams don’t wholeheartedly embrace that idea – or the motives of the organizers – other leagues and associations are being talked about as well.

“Ray has no ulterior motives, or any agenda, for all the time he has spent. Heck, he hasn’t even played since he hurt his finger last year. I think he just really likes baseball – vintage ball in particular – and enjoys seeing how this has developed.” – Mike “Bulldog” Paes

The Hooks already have a full schedule planned for 2007 with tournaments in Waterbury, Pittsfield (Massachusetts), Old Bethpage, and Bridgeport (featuring the Orators, Hooks and Connors of Waterbury at Seaside Park on July 4). A game against Civil War re-enactors in Woodbury has been slated for August while a game in Bridgeport during an Irish Festival is still pending.

“Ray lives and breathes baseball. Without his untiring selfless support, the Hooks would have never existed. Being able to put up with all the different personalities and attitudes on our very diverse team makes it an even more amazing accomplishment.” – Dennis “Doughboy” Norwich

Ray is just brimming with all sorts of ideas and grand visions and still has a lot more he would love to do – like making Fairfield Hills (what has essentially been the home of the Newtown Sandy Hooks) into a meeting place of history, arts and sports – if just provided the opportunity. There is no doubt he has the passion and the energy to do it.

 “I cannot think of a better representative of Newtown than Ray Shaw. He spirit, class, and attitude make him a true asset to this town.” – Brian “Tex” Casey

While it has been said that true 19th century baseball tended to be rough and that cheating was common (as long as the umpire did not see it), vintage base ball is an ideal of gentlemanly competition and sportsmanship (although a hidden ball trick or two is perfectly alright!). Ray Shaw may be more than 130 years removed from a time of small leather gloves and seamless balls and though he is a resident of an era scandalized by steroids and conceited, ill-tempered players, he embodies the ideals of vintage base ball perfectly.

He is the Sportsman of the Year.

“Ray is, without a doubt, one of the most endearing and generous people I know. He will always go out of his way to help you in anyway he can and more often than not, give you more than you would have ever thought you needed. Ray is the visionary behind the Hooks existence and as we head into our third season he remains the glue that holds us together. Without Ray, our little experiment we call vintage base ball would not have existed past season one. I have played baseball my whole life, including two seasons in college and I can honestly say that because of Ray – base ball is fun again. Thank you Shutta – HUZAHHHHHH!” – Doug “Pops” Pendergist