Colorado Vintage Base Ball Association

~ Since 1993 ~

Click on photo for larger image.

News and Upcoming Events:

Base Ball Matches This Week

Friday, July 4, Firestone, 1:00 p.m., Miner’s Park at 151 Grant Avenue.

Saturday, July 5, Westminster, 10:00 a.m., England Park, 7190 Osceola Street.

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Colorado Territorial All-Stars 4, Eagle Merchants 0

June 28

The Eclectics from the Front Range managed that rarest of feats Saturday past when they “Chicagoed” the Merchant-men of Eagle, 4 aces to zero.

And it wasn’t that the home club were pushovers, as it was substantially the same squad that lost a 10-9 heartbreaker to the same All-Stars last summer. In the interim, the home boys changed their monikers from the Balding Eagles; however, the outcome was unchanged. There were rumors that several emptied alcohol containers behind their bench might have contributed to their demise this time.

On both sides, the match was played with pluck and ginger. The All-Stars’ able trio of hurlers -- Rube and Old Hoss Foster and Red Dog Wickett -- were well on their games, while being backed up with some of the best defense this club has demonstrated in some time.

The Merchants returned the favor, even turning three double plays. But the visitors managed to eke across single tallies each in the second, fourth, sixth, and ninth frames, with Cannibal Tinney, Old Hoss, Hands Phalen, and Rattler Gallegos ringing the bell, respectively.

The only serious threat by the home club was in the eighth, when they stranded runners at second and third. Other than those two, the Merchants only managed three other base runners. They hit the sphere well, but our boys denied their intentions at every turn.

Traveler Tinney called a fine match, although on a couple of occasions the cranks threatened a tarring and feathering due to close calls that did not go the way they saw them. Luckily, Ian had his trusty six-shooter in hand to quell the near riots, but fortunately only had to shoot one person to reestablish his authority.

Your trusty scribe handled the tally chores, while other ballists contributing to the whitewash were Wheels Harris, Ski Colasinski (rotating from the Silt club we will visit in August), Tiny Heine, Spider Michaud, Suds Knezevich, Scooter Smolinski, Irish Tom Valaika, and Tom’s visiting friend from the Windy City -- George the Flea Noonan. -- the Deacon, Match Reporter

2008 Ohio Cup

Anyone interested in a "quick" Labor Day road trip to the Ohio Cup vintage base ball festival in Columbus? Reply here, "Deacon" Massengill Highights from last year are linked in the box at left.

GET OUT! (play base ball)

Wanna play non-competitive vintage base ball this summer along with Bob “Bonecrusher” Wettemann, Cory “Axle” Nelson, and Don “Ditto” Schultz? The CVBBA is actively recruiting ballists and teams to play by the rules of the mid-1800s. You must be at least 18 years of age and no older than 118. Having an interest in Colorado base ball history helps and there are the benefits of getting out in the fresh air, exercising your muscles, swinging the bat, and throwing the ball while wearing an authentic, well-made vintage base ball uniform. Specific information is on the “Contact Us” page in the box to the left.

CVBBA Stat Leaders

Here are the stat leaders through the May 24 match (click here).

Get Your Barnstorm T-Shirt

Official Barnstorming Tour '07 T-shirts will be available at matches during the season (while supplies last) – front image to the left; back image to the right (back image is a prototype and actual shirt has full schedule printed including the Ohio Cup opponents).

No gentleman’s nor lady’s wardrobe is complete without this exclusive apparel.

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WANTED -- UMPIRES AND TALLY KEEPERS

Before I go around twisting arms and such, are there loyal members of the CVBBA who would like to volunteer to either umpire or tally a match (or matches) this season? I would like to recommend that every normal ballist volunteer for at least one assignment -- either umpire or tally. Tally instructions can be given on the spot, umpiring (if you have never done it) will take a bit more. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED!! The early bird gets the worm, and all that. Please respond to your Captain of Officials, at "Deacon" Massengill This list includes:

July 19 Monthly Match at Broomfield
sometime in August at Berthoud
Sept. 1 at Rockledge Ranch
Sept. 13 Monthly Match at Broomfield
Sept. 28 at Walker Ranch
Oct. 4 Closing Match at Broomfield

Click for larger image.

PRACTICE, Practice, practice . . . in Berthoud

We will be holding local practice Wednesday evenings (weather providing) at 6:30 p.m. at the field in Berthoud (click on "Venues" for directions). This will remain the same weekly until further notice. - "Traveler" Tinney

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Some useful language for you to use during our matches:

(Ground Balls) Bug-Bruiser, Daisy-Cutter, or Ant-Killer
(Fly Balls) Cloud-Hunter, Sky-Scraper, or Air-Ball
(Run) Ace or Tally
(Out) Hand Out or Hand Dead
(Errors) Muff, Juggle, Mug, or Loose Fielding
(Fans) Cranks, Bugs, or Rooters
(Compliments) Square, Hunky, Having Pluck, Ginger, Muckle, or Grant-Man [as in President U.S. Grant]
(Insults) Muffin, Milkboy, Boyo, or Greeley Man [as in Horace Greeley, Grant’s 1872 opponent]
(Exclamations and Interjections) Thunderation!, Blame My Buttons!, Good Gravy!, Drat!, Dog My Cats!, What the Blazes!, or Ye gods!
(That’s Crazy…), Pshaw!, Flapdoodle!, Folderol!, Humbug!, Fiddlesticks!, or Go Tell It to the Marines!

Field Positions of the 20th & 21st Centuries and Their 19th Century Equivalents

Player...Ballist
Pitcher...Hurler
Catcher...Behind
Manager...Captain
Shortstop...Short Scout
Outfielders...Left, Mid, & Right Scouts
Batter...Striker or Batsman
Basemen...1st, 2nd, and 3rd Base Tenders

For membership information click here.

2008 Schedule click here.

Team Songs click here.

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cranks and ballists since May 1864