Keep It Vintage

Another game!

2008-10-06T07:39:00.001-07:00

With the high level of cancellations throughout the season, the Park City Nine have scheduled one last doubleheader to close out the season.

Oct. 11 vs. Brooklyn Atlantics. It's a home game to be played at Seaside Park in Bridgeport. The O's opened their season against Brooklyn at Seaside so this final game will be like bookends. Funny - the Orators have won three games all season and somehow they still played later into the year than the Yankees and Mets...

Very late Sept. 28 results

2008-10-06T07:37:00.000-07:00

The Orators dropped another two at New London.

I have yet to have the official results forwarded but I understand it was crappy conditions and close games, with the O's falling just short. I will update the results if I ever get them...

Now available: ORATORS MERCH

2008-10-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

This winter stay warm while being cool with some Bridgeport Orators gear. Buy Park City approved apparel here.

Season closer cancelled

2008-10-03T11:34:00.000-07:00

This weekend's game has been cancelled by the Pioneers. It was to be the Park City's last game of the year.

Brideport's looking to schedule an extra game next weekend to make up for this.

Orators can't stop Atlantics in Hamptons showdown

2008-09-22T12:17:00.000-07:00

9/20/08
Bridgeport Orators @ Brooklyn Atlantics
--------
GAME 1, LOST 19-9
GAME 2, LOST 19-7

The Bridgeport Orators took the long trip out to Long Island to face off against their New York counterparts the Brooklyn Atlantics. Playing a scrimmage at a Bridgehampton Historical Society event, the setting was serene and the weather pleasant, though the results left some things to be desired for Bridgeport.

Shaking off early sloppy defense in both games of the 1860's doubleheader, the Orators played seemed to play well overall tightening up on the field and delivering with the bats while trading jabs with the fine gentlemen of the Atlantic club. But, it was no use - the Atlantics bats woke up in the middle of the first game when the Orators were ahead by 4 runs. The barrage of the Atlantics attack didn't stop for the rest of the day, with the team putting up a staggering 38 runs over 18 innings easily stifling any hopes that the O's might stay competitive with the boys from Brooklyn.

Park City can't cash in vs. New London

2008-09-22T12:07:00.000-07:00

9/14/08
Bridgeport Orators vs. New London Thames Nine
--------
GAME 1: LOST 8-7
GAME 2: LOST 7-4

At first, it seemed like your typical Orators loss - sloppy defense combined with bad at-bats. In game one at Seaside Park, the Bridgeport side looked overmatched and unprofessional. But, the team turned it around late, tightening up the defense and chipping away, combined with a stunning four run ninth inning to tie Newtown 7-7. Alas, the Thames Nine came back with a run in the top of the 10th to spoil the Park City's comeback. It was the first extra innings game in the history of the Orators.

Game 2 was equally close, but the Orators weren't able to stay consistent late in the game, eventually falling to the Thames Nine side who have continued a streak of dramatic games versus Bridgeport forming a bit of a friendly competitive rivalry. Both sides braved the elements for unbelievably humid conditions for what may have been the worst weather day for baseball of the year.

Coverage of Simsbury games

2008-09-08T12:15:00.001-07:00

From the Simsbury site about the schooling of the Orators in the 1880's game and squandering of the lead in the 1860's game.

Read more in pdf form here.

Harbor Yard Event Rained Out

2008-09-06T15:40:00.000-07:00

Yet another game cancelled in the troubled 2008 campaign of the Park City Nine.

Tomorrow's game vs. Simsbury at Harbor Yard has been postponed. If there is a makeup date for the Harbor Yard Event, we'll keep you posted.

O's outmatched

2008-08-25T10:44:00.001-07:00

8/24/08
Bridgeport Orators @ Simsbury Taverneers
--------
GAME 1, 1880's rules: LOST via a "mercy forfeit"
GAME 2, 1860's rules: LOST 12-4

There was nothing pretty about Bridgeport's Sunday showing at Simsbury. in what might possibly be the worst 1880's rules showing yet, the Orators faced off against the Taverneers for the first time in the Park City Nine's short history. The O's were simply outmatched. After only a few innings of overhand pitching with the Simsbury side posting lopsided tallies, combined with a lack of relief pitching on Bridgeport's roster - the game was forfeited. A mercy killing if there ever was one.

The teams played a full 9 of 1860's underhand rules where Bridgeport topped off the sad Sunday with a 12-4 loss at their newest opponents.

Sunday Preview

2008-08-22T11:50:00.000-07:00

This Sunday, the Orators head into Simsbury for 9 innings of 1880's overhand style. It's the O's first matchup with the Taverneers, not just this season but in the short history of the Park City Nine. Check out the Web site of Simsbury here.

Bridgeport has struggled in 1880's rules, especially being inconsistent on offense. The team is hoping to turn it around this weekend with the first 80's rules victory of 2008 and what would be only the second road victory and fourth victory overall.

Up next, the Orators will face off against Simsbury again, this time under the lights for the 2nd Annual Harbor Yard vintage exhibition on Sept 7.

"Scheduling snafu" has weekend matinee cancelled

2008-08-13T14:32:00.000-07:00

Continuing an unfortunate trend this season, Sunday's scheduled home game against the Hartford Dark Blues has been cancelled due to a "scheduling snafu" by the boys from up North (I mean the Dark Blues, not Canadians).

Doesn't look a reschedule's going to happen. So I guess take another weekend off from vintage but get some swings in and stay fresh, so that the team can end the season stronger than we started it!

This week

2008-08-07T11:09:00.001-07:00

The Orators take an off week and enjoy a rare split from last week.

On Aug. 17 at 10 a.m., the team returns to the friendly confines of Seaside Park for their first home game in a month. But, the impressive Hartford Dark Blues will do all they can to spoil Brideport's homecoming with a vintage battle.

Orators split at Old Bethpage, win first road game of the year

2008-08-07T10:57:00.000-07:00

8/3/08
Bethpage 1860's Tournament
--------
GAME 1, LOST to Newtown
GAME 2, WON against Mineola

* scores unavailable, come back later for details.

Shamless Plug

2008-07-30T13:36:00.000-07:00

Come see Mark a.k.a. Hutch's band FOR THE HUTCH, this Saturday in Yonkers, NY.

WHO:
For the Hutch
Too Minutes
Princess and the Criminals

WHAT:
The Hutchcapades
An outdoor summer music festival except held indoors and not a festival.

WHERE:
Barney McNabb's
600 Tuckahoe Road
Yonkers, NY 10710

WHEN:
Saturday
Aug. 2, 2008
8 p.m.

WHY:
So Mark will stop bothering you.

Brooklyn's coverage of 7/27 games

2008-07-30T06:14:00.000-07:00

Check out the Brooklyn Atlantics recap of this weekend's monsoon bowl here. There is a score discrepancy (they list game one as 16-10 when it was actually 15-10) but other than that it is some fine vintage coverage from the fine vintage lads down in Brooklyn.

Orators outslugged in Brooklyn 'Monsoon Bowl'

2008-07-27T17:47:00.000-07:00

7/27/08
Bridgeport Orators at Brooklyn Atlantics
--------
GAME 1, LOST 15-10. 1860's rules
GAME 2, LOST 9-4. 1860's rules

The Orators and Atlantics played through some monsoon-like conditions and actually got in two 9-inning games despite a thunder, lightning and rain-filled Sunday. The Park City Nine showed some life in both games but some Long Island lightning with the lumber created some thundrous offense from Brooklyn that ultimately outdid the O's.

Poll of the Week: The addictive replying all habit

2008-07-24T13:07:00.000-07:00

Why would you reply all on an Orators team e-mail? ( polls)

No 'Grays' area: Providence beats O's in double bill

2008-07-19T15:21:00.002-07:00

7/10/08
Bridgeport Orators vs. Providence Grays
--------
GAME 1, LOST. 1860's rules
GAME 1, LOST. 1880's rules

Beat handily in game 1, the Orators were in a good position in game 2, but squandered a lead and lost the game on a walk off passed ball or wild pitch.

July 20 Newtown game cancelled

2008-07-19T15:21:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow, July 20's game at Newtown Sandy Hooks has been cancelled. No makeup date has been scheduled.

The 10th Inning...with "Pops" Vigorito

2008-07-18T10:11:00.000-07:00

Joe "Pops" Vigorito might point out he is the real Joe Vigorito (not to be confused with his son, Team President Junior a.k.a. Vintage Joe). Well, no one would point this out except Pops himself and also this blog, but I digress.

The elder statesman of the Bridgeport Orators, this year Pops has been keeping it vintage behind the dish as the new official team umpire, replacing the Hon. Mike Roer from last year. But, he still has plenty of gas in the tank and despite a nagging shoulder injury he's still ready to suit up when needed - he welds a nasty bat at the striker's line and as an outfielder has been known to make even the most routine play look like a SportsCenter highlight. Yep, Pops is showing how to get it done whether he's competing or warning strikers and hurlers.

But why talk about Pops, when we can talk with him? Here it goes:

KEEP IT VINTAGE: As Vintage Joe's father, tell me what went wrong was it about his upbringing that has made him vintage-obsessed? And also sending out 100 emails to the team a week?

POPS: I tried - Oh, did I try to help him. But, junior became a Met fan and I thought all hope was lost. Then something happened... he went to college, became a History major and learned how to write. The rest is history.

KIV: This season, you've basically become the team's umpire. Tell me is it difficult to call a game fairly and do you really want to just suit up in Orator gray and hit the field again?

P: It’s a good fit for me. Mike retired, I have masochistic tendencies anyway, so why not?
As far as calling the game, it’s tough because I love you guys and you're usually on the bad side of most of the calls. I love suiting up even if I’m just posing.

KIV: During the east coast / west coast rap beef of the 1990's whose side were you on?

P: West coast. I like Snoop.

KIV: Why don't you show those guys how we roll in vintage base ball. I'll beatbox and you rap... GO! (if you don't rap for me, a kitten somewhere dies).

P: Bridgeport has a team and it’s not just any team. We rock and we roll with the best it seems. We have a good club so we shouldn't get drubbed. We show up every week even though we get snubbed. So why am I doing this it’s a mystery to me. Yet I do like playing down by the sea.
OK?

KIV: When you started playing vintage ball how long had it been since you played organize baseball?

P: Early Eighties. I sponsored and played softball in the Fairfield League. I Pitched and played First. I was pretty good; I was a spray hitter and had a good OBP. Ginger is rolling!

KIV: I suggest witchcraft or divine intervention is needed to turn the Orators season around. How do I get supernatural powers to help us? I'm all ears (and all nose depending on what angle you're looking at me from) - tell me how to perform a ceremony.

P: Divine Intervention? Witchcraft? I don’t know… but if you could run as good as you hit maybe that would help!

KIV: Oh snap! I've been sonned West Coast style, but I expect no less from someone named Pops.

THE 10TH INNING is a series of posts where we profile team members and other vintage personalities.

Poll of the Week: MVP (Most Vintage Player)

2008-07-17T10:48:00.000-07:00

Bridgeport drops another in 1880's rules

2008-07-14T08:50:00.000-07:00

7/13/08
Bridgeport Orators vs. Hartford Senators
--------
GAME 1, LOST. Orators 2 - Senators 14

Giving up fourteen runs, combined with anemic offense - a simple formula for another Orators loss.

Housekeeping from Vintage Joe:

2008-07-02T07:15:00.001-07:00

"Just a reminder: due to the holiday weekend, there is no game scheduled for this Sunday.

We pick back up on Sunday 7/13 with an 1886 home game against the Hartford Senators."

CANCELLED!

2008-06-25T19:57:00.000-07:00

The June 28 games scheduled vs. Meddowe BBC have been cancelled.

Meddowe have suffered several injuries and are dealing with a depleted roster. Besides, the forecast is looking like rain-rain-rain on Sunday.

According to Orator Team President Vintage Joe Vigorito, the games could potentially be rescheduled later in the year.

It slips away at Seaside: O's blow two leads, swept in doubleheader

2008-06-22T14:34:00.001-07:00

6/22/08
Bridgeport Orators vs. Waterbury Connors
--------
GAME 1, LOST: Connors 14 - Orators 5
GAME 2, LOST: Orators 8 - Connors 15

The O's were backed up by solid pitching from Jeff "Bones" Webster and Adam Bellagamba. A sloppy inning in both games saw two leads squandered and two holes dug that the Park City never ended up climbing out of.