Keep It Vintage

2009 Record: well, it was an improvement...

2009-10-01T11:18:00.000-07:00

OVERALL RECORD: 4-15
Splits:
1860's rules: 3-12
1880's rules: 1-3
Home: 2-4
Away: 2-11

Sept. 12 cancelled

2009-09-10T14:56:00.000-07:00

The O's will see their second game in a row cancelled. This weekend's scheduled showdown with the Thames Nine has been called. Enjoy the weekend!

Newtown's coverage of the Aug. 23 game

2009-09-10T14:53:00.000-07:00

Check out Newtown's coverage of the doubleheader loss here.

Sept. 6 game called off

2009-09-04T14:54:00.000-07:00

The Labor Day weekend festivities were called off. Both Bridgeport and Waterbury were having problems fielding a Labor Day weekend team.

Not a happy homecoming

2009-08-24T14:50:00.000-07:00

8/23/2009
Bridgeport Orators vs. Newtown Sandy Hook
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GAME 1: LOST 13-9
GAME 2: LOST 6-4

The Bridgeport Orators had an unhappy homecoming dropping two to rival Newtown in an 1860's twin bill.

Brooklyn's coverage of weekend's game

2009-08-11T11:18:00.000-07:00

Check out the Atlantics' take on last weekend's game here.

Bridgeport back to their losing ways

2009-08-11T11:08:00.000-07:00

8/8/2009
Bridgeport Orators @ Brooklyn Atlantics
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GAME 1: LOST 25-14
GAME 2: LOST 24-11

A depleted Orators roster, balanced with injury and some sloppy play resulted in the same ol' result from the Park City Nine. Two straight losses were dealt handily by the Brooklyn side with the O's putting some icing on the cake by blowing an 8-run lead in game 2.

it was the last away game for Bridgeport this year, who will end the season with several games at home. Here's hoping they can even out the uneven record for the year.

Tough day in Old Bethpage for Bridgeport

2009-08-02T12:58:00.000-07:00

8/2/2009
OLD BETHPAGE TOURNAMENT, 1860's rules
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GAME 1 vs. Providence,: LOST
GAME 2 vs. New York Mutuals: LOST

In game 1, the Park City came back from 8 down to tie it, only to choke and give up 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th.

Game 2 was an old fashioned Bridgeport showing with the Orators getting "smoked."

The Orators have now dropped 3 in a row. Next week, the Park City plays the Brooklyn Atlantics. It is the last scheduled road game, as the Orators are scheduled to play the last four games of the season at Seaside Park after not playing at home since May. Yes, we said May! And by the way you'll note opening day was rain shortened...

Orators fall to Senators

2009-07-25T09:22:00.000-07:00

7/25/2009
Bridgeport Orators at Hartford Senators
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GAME 1, 80's rules LOST: 10-5

The Bridgeport Orators couldn't continue their newfound 1880's proficiency dropping a hard fought game to the tough Hartford Senators side.

Good, bad, or indifferent?

2009-07-20T13:16:00.001-07:00

With their fourth win of 2009 this weekend, the Bridgeport Orators have surpassed their win total from all of the abysmal 2008 season.

Is this good news? I mean the Park City is still three games under .500.
Or does it just mean last year was really, really poor?

Analysis: No need to overthink a win. And the way the team's been playing, expect a lot more wins before 09 is in the books.

O's shake off 80's woes, win one in Danbury

2009-07-20T13:09:00.001-07:00

7/19/2009
Bridgeport Orators vs. Glen Head ZigZags
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GAME 1, WON: 14-4

At a special event at Rogers Park in Danbury, the Orators buried their 1880's rules struggles and convincingly won their first 80's game of the season (it was only the second this year but the problems with the overhand rules go back to last season). Gozer caught a complete game, no easy feat especially considering the summer weather.

"Muhl" from Newtown pitched a complete game giving up only 2 earned runs. He also came through in the clutch with a 3 run HR and a 2rbi double.

The ZigZags are no slouches and have been on an extended winning streak, so the O's victory was definitely something special. It was the first time the teams faced off in the history of the clubs.

The Orators hope to build on their 80's success this weekend when they take on the tough Hartford Senators team in the overhand game.

June 20 event rained out

2009-06-23T07:40:00.000-07:00

The June 20 event against Newtown Sandy Hooks, hyped as the big event of the O's season - has been cancelled due to rain. No makeup info is available but come back here for info.

Orators drop 2 in New London, but get fed KFC

2009-06-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

6/13/2009
Bridgeport Orators at New London
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GAME 1, LOST
GAME 2, LOST

The good news is those Thames Nine are fine gentleman and their field at a historical fort on the water is quite scenic. They even fed their rival Bridgeport Boys with some vintage KFC. Well, that's all of the good news...

The Orators were thoroughly spanked in back-to-back games. Some sloppy play from the O's and hot Thames Nine bats put any hopes of a "W" to vintage sleep.

O's drop two in Rhode Island

2009-06-08T12:52:00.000-07:00

6/6/2009
Bridgeport Orators at Providence
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GAME 1, LOST
GAME 2, LOST (results currently unavailable)

The Orators took a trip out to Rhode Island and fell short in two games against Providence - one a 1860's rules game, another a 1880's rules. The away sweep puts an immediate damper on the improved record of this year's Orators but the team is hoping to bounce right back this week when they travel to New London to challenge the Thames Nine.

Orators bring the brooms against Hartford

2009-05-26T09:11:00.000-07:00

5/17.09
Bridgeport Orators vs. Hartford Dark Blues
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GAME 1, WON: 15-8 (unofficial)
GAME 2, WON: 17-10

It took 'em two seasons and some change, but the Boys from Bridgeport swept a doubleheader for the first time in their existence. The sweep brings the Orators back to .500 in the year. In another first, this is the latest in the season that the Park City Nine were at .500. Can this be a sign that things are turning around for the club?

Mixed results for B-port at Waterbury tourney

2009-04-27T06:10:00.000-07:00

4/26/09
Waterbury 1860's rules tournament
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GAME 1, vs. Newtown Sandy Hook: WON, 15-8
GAME 2, vs. Waterbury Conners: LOST, 14-1
GAME 3, vs. Meddowe BBC: LOST, 9-4

The Orators opened a fine day of vintage ball versus their rivals from Newtown who have partially restocked from last year. Coming back from deficits of 2 runs and then 4 runs, the O's (as visiting side) managed to bat around in a 12-run barrage in their last ups. Adam Bellagamba got his first win as pitcher and "Gozer the Closer" pitched an inning in relief.

Game 2 continued the tradition of Waterbury thoroughly spanking the Park City Nine who played such a sloppy game defensively that it was reminiscent of the first campaign of the Orators. The bats also went to sleep after their fine showing in Game 1 and the Bridgeport boys couldn't manage more than one ace.

The day ended with a game against Meddowe. Both sides were exhausted from a long day but nonetheless came ready to play. Hurler Gentleman Ben couldn't silence the loud Meddowe bats but tight defense kept the O's in the game for the entire time. Unfortunately, Bridgeport again reverted to some of their previous poor habits by having the offense going into pop up-after-pop up mode. Overall, a nice day with some promising signs but the Bridgeport side clearly has some things to do to tighten up their consistency.

Photos from the weekend

2009-04-13T09:27:00.000-07:00

Atlantics outlast the O's, contending with poor weather conditions

2009-04-12T19:01:00.000-07:00

4/11/09
Bridgeport Orators vs. Brooklyn Atlantics
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GAME 1: LOST, 10-12

It wasn't exactly your picturesque baseball opening day setting - pouring rain, wind, and winter temperatures. The Bridgeport and Brooklyn sides played through a tough nine innings and eventually cancelled the second scheduled game.

The Orourkian Raiders (how's that for a new nickname?) played hard and fought well, going blow-for-blow with the Atlantics side all day. Starting CFer Barkeep was sidelined in the early goings with a tweaked hammy, but several Orators rookies picked up the slack. The Atlantics kept charging, but the Park City Nine fought back continuously tying the game. The affair wasn't decided until the very end of the game with the Orators ending it with the tying run in scoring position. Much good in this game, a lot of promise to build on to improve on that horrific showing of the 2008 campaign. Let's hope the team gets to build in better weather conditions though.

Countdown to home opener at Seaside Park

2009-04-01T13:29:00.000-07:00

MySpace Countdown Clocks

A little vintage Spring Training tomorrow

2009-03-27T11:33:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, Saturday March 28 at 11 a.m. the vintage season kicks off (kind of) with the Bridgeport Orators first full team practice of the year. Shake off the rust boys, "Spring Training" won't last long.

Orators team meeting highlights "official" 2009 schedule

2009-03-16T08:26:00.000-07:00

After last week's team meeting, the Bridgeport Orators "official" 2009 game schedule is now in circulation. The team's focus for this year's campaign will be 1860's style rules, though they will still compete in 1880's games periodically.

The season opens at home April 11 at Seaside Park. All home games will be played at Seaside Park unless otherwise noted. The season ends at home on Sept. 19 vs. the Hartford Senators.

Here is the schedule. As always, come back to this blog for updates, results or changes to the schedule:

Saturday, April 11 - Brooklyn Atlantics
Sunday, April 26 - @ Waterbury Connors

Sunday, May 17 - Hartford Dark Blues

Saturday, June 6 - @ Providence
Saturday, June 13 - @ New London Thames Nine

Saturday, July 11 - Providence
Saturday, July 18 - @ Hartford Dark Blues
Saturday, July 25 - @ Hartford Senators

Sunday, Aug 2 - @ Old Bethpage Village
Saturday, Aug. 8 - @ Atlantics in Bridgehampton, NY
Sunday, Aug. 23 - Newtown Sandy Hook

Sunday, Sept. 6 - Waterbury Connors
Sunday, Sept. 13 - New London Thames Nine
Saturday, Sept. 19 - Hartford Senators

2009 Season Schedule (tentative) announced

2009-02-28T09:47:00.001-08:00

Huzzah!

Winter's not over, but start dusting off your cleats boys - the vintage season is just around the corner. The Bridgeport Orators are getting ready for their third season in the vintage circuit and looking for some improvement over the struggles of the last two years.

Team President Joe Vigorito has announced the team's annual preseason meeting next week. He's also shared a tentative game schedule with us. Here it is:

MARCH 12 Team Preseason Meeting
APRIL 11 vs. Brooklyn Atlantics
APRIL 26 @ Waterbury
MAY 17 vs. Hartford Dark Blues
JUNE 6 @ Providence
JUNE 13 vs. New London Thames Nine
JUNE 20 @ Newtown Sandy Hook
JULY 11 vs. Providence
JULY 25 @ Hartford
AUG. 8 @ Brooklyn Atlantics in Bridgehampton, NY
AUG. 23 vs. Newtown Sandy Hook
SEPT. 6 vs. Waterbury
SEPT. 12 @ New London Thames Nine
SEPT. 19 vs. Hartford

This blog will be back in action in April with all the latest O's news and scores.

The long winter

2008-10-15T12:42:00.001-07:00

Keep yourself warm this offseason with some Orators gear designed by "Gentleman Ben" Fortney. Visit his site here.

Also, there have been talks about a 2nd Annual "Keep it Vintage" Benefit to be hosted by the rock group For the Hutch with all proceeds donated to the Orators for purposes of equipment and the like. We'll keep you posted with a date.

So long and thanks for all the huzzah's!

2008-10-15T12:36:00.000-07:00

So cranks, the troubled 2008 campaign of the Bridgeport Orators has come to a close. The team managed only three wins the entire season, their second in existence. But it wasn't a total bust either. A lot of core players stepped up and tightened up their defensive game. If the club stays active in the future, there is no doubt they will only be improving.

As we head into winter, Team President Joe Vigorito has told us he plans to make some significant changes in the future. Namely, there will be less games scheduled for the entire season and the list of matches will likely involve more of a localized team rather than the team's practice of branching out of the Fairfield County area. Also, 1880's games will be fewer. The team has lacked the tools and roster to be competitive in these games specifically in the department of catching and pitching.

The Orators have made it their trademark to fall asleep with the bats, but late in the season that trend was turning. With a consistent core and more practices, if the team returns expect the roster to continue focusing on 1860's style hitting and fielding without a glove of course.

No joke: the abysmal final results of 2008

2008-10-14T08:16:00.000-07:00

2008 Orators record: 3-28.
SPLITS:
60's rules: 3-23
80's rules: 0-5
Home: 2-11
Away: 1-17