By Kim J. Harmon

A triple play, a deep smash to the tree in left field, the ol’ hidden ball trick – these were just three of the highlights from the 1876 vintage base ball match between the Newtown-Sandy Hooks and the Hartford Senators on Saturday at Fairfield Hills.

The game served as a preview of the August 6 Tercentennial match scheduled between the two clubs.

‘Pops’ Pendergist (who helped his own cause by circling the bases twice to score) posted a complete-game on the mound – a Herculean effort beneath the scorching sun – but the Hooks were unable to stave off a hearty Senators squad and dropped a 10-3 decision.

A five-run second inning – helped along by some unfortunate throwing errors – proved to be a major factor in the Hooks’ undoing.

Backstop ‘Rock’ Zulli worked mighty hard in the wilting heat and had to be spelled by Phil Keane in the later innings. Their defensive effort, however, was overshadowed by a masterful triple play executed in the ninth inning – a line drive off the glove of the Pendergist was snared barehanded by a diving short scout ‘Pudgey’ Dieckman for one out. Dieckman then alertly threw the ball to third, where the next two outs were recorded.

The Senators were led by captain Chris ‘Grit’ Moran, whose boasted formidable skills at the backstop and at the plate. Matt ‘Crazy Legs’ March, Jeff ‘Bull’ Durham, Steve ‘Big Train’ Burke and ‘Plywood’ Moore also played well for the crafty Senators.

Billy Paladino officiated the event. A small crowd – with one or two local ‘cranks’ thrown in for good measure – stopped down at Fairfield Hills for the match.

The Hooks will host the Waterbury Connors on Sunday, July 31. While plans are still incomplete, Ray ‘Shutta’ Shaw indicates the game will likely be played in Sandy Hook near Cady Mountain – in nearly the same spot where two local nines, the ‘Hops’ and the ‘Sodas,’ battled in a two-inning affair.

According to the local account, “It was a unique game of baseball. There were only two innings, but the winning score was high and the time, including intermissions, was long. It began shortly after 11 am and ended with the dusty shadows that came slanting down at evening. But in that time was crowded a high old time and no mistake. The sides were apparently matched, both teams having a ‘professional’ ball player in its ranks, and umpired by three at different stages of the game. This triangular board served as a sort of arbitration committee to settle the disputes, which arose unavoidably in this unique game. Even then the decisions were not entirely satisfactory to all contestants. Are the ever?

For further team information (such as schedule, team members, etc.) and informative historical accounts of local vintage base ball, visit www.vbbnewtown.com.