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Vigorito brings vintage baseball back
By MIKE PUMActpostpuma@aol.com
Article Last Updated: 03/27/2007 11:22:03 PM EDT
A self-described "baseball freak and historian," Bridgeport resident Joe Vigorito found his
calling last year when he stumbled onto a Web site dedicated to vintage baseball.
The idea of wearing 19th century uniforms and applying baseball's rules of that era
intrigued Vigorito enough that he considered joining one of the various vintage teams
scattered throughout Connecticut. But why only participate when there's opportunity to
create? And so, the first seeds were planted for the revival of the Bridgeport Orators.
The team, originally named in honor of Bridgeport native James "Orator" O'Rourke — a 19th
century star who is enshrined in baseball's Hall of Fame — is slated to begin play next
month, having secured a 20-plus-game schedule that runs through mid-October. The
original Bridgeport Orators, owned by O'Rourke, were a minor league team that played in
the city from 1898-1912.
"I knew Bridgeport had a lot of baseball history," Vigorito said. "What a great opportunity to
try and resurrect one of the old teams from Bridgeport."
Using old photos, he's attempted to replicate the Orators' original uniforms, which Vigorito
describes as Confederate Gray and Yale Blue. The team has also invested in replica
equipment used during the 1800s, everything from leather-peeled baseballs to the tiny
fielder's mitts that started making an appearance in the 1880s.
Unlike many teams that specialize, playing either 1860s rules (with no gloves) or 1880s (with
gloves and seamed baseballs), the Orators will divide their schedule, playing both
variations, depending on the opponent. "The idea of the game back then was more small
ball — hit it where they ain't," Vigorito said. "The game wasn't designed to go out there and
belt home runs. You couldn't do it anyway; the ball was too dead.
"You wanted to try and place the ball on the ground, force people to make errors because
no play was routine back then."
The rule differences between vintage and modern baseball are pronounced. Pitchers in the
1860s still threw underhand and any ball caught on one bounce was considered an out.
Also, there is no pitcher's mound; pitches are delivered from a hurler's box. There are no
balls and strikes called under the 1860s rules, but the umpire can issue a warning if he
deems the batter — known as the striker — is taking too many good pitches. From that
point, strikes are called. In the 1880s game, umpires call strikes, but the batter can request
location from a pitcher, either high or low. A batter can draw a walk on six balls.
Among the other rules that might seem unusual: Hit batsmen aren't awarded a base and any
ball that starts in fair territory, regardless of whether it passes first or third base, is
considered in play. Foul balls do not count as strikes.
The Orators will play home games at Seaside Park, competing against vintage teams
throughout the Northeast, including Newtown, Waterbury and Hartford.
"The city of Bridgeport needs something to root for," said city resident Jeff Webster, who
helped Vigorito get the team started. "Especially with all the history the city has had with
baseball." Vigorito already has a full roster of 25 players — he recruited friends and family
members and word soon spread.
"Within a couple of years we'll be really competitive," Webster said. "The first year you learn
the ins and outs, but we have enough talent to want to play. A lot of teams recruit older
players. We have guys in their 20's, and there's a big difference. Hopefully we can put our
athleticism in it."
Vigorito said most of his players have baseball experience, either from playing in high
school or American Legion. Others are dedicated softball players. Ultimately, he'd like to
create enough interest in the Orators to start a second team in the area, perhaps laying the
foundation for a six-team league. Hartford has two teams — the Dark Blues play by 1860s
rules and the Senators play by 1880s rules — and Vigorito doesn't see why that kind of
arrangement couldn't work in Bridgeport.
"One of biggest challenges is getting support from the community and finding sponsors,"
Vigorito said. "There's a significant cost with outfitting, uniforming, equipping a vintage
baseball team. "It really is a pure form of the game. No juiced balls, no juiced players. It
takes a lot of skill, but really what we're trying to do is have fun and do something good for
the city."
Not the same game
Nineteenth-century baseball is a game the average fan might not recognize:
? Pitchers in the 1860s delivered the ball underhand.
? Any ball caught on one bounce in the 1860s was an out.
? Umpires began calling strikes in the 1880s, but batters could request "high" and "low"
pitches.
? In the 1880s, a batter walked on ball six.
— MIKE PUMA
By MIKE PUMActpostpuma@aol.com
Article Last Updated: 03/27/2007 11:22:03 PM EDT
A self-described "baseball freak and historian," Bridgeport resident Joe Vigorito found his
calling last year when he stumbled onto a Web site dedicated to vintage baseball.
The idea of wearing 19th century uniforms and applying baseball's rules of that era
intrigued Vigorito enough that he considered joining one of the various vintage teams
scattered throughout Connecticut. But why only participate when there's opportunity to
create? And so, the first seeds were planted for the revival of the Bridgeport Orators.
The team, originally named in honor of Bridgeport native James "Orator" O'Rourke — a 19th
century star who is enshrined in baseball's Hall of Fame — is slated to begin play next
month, having secured a 20-plus-game schedule that runs through mid-October. The
original Bridgeport Orators, owned by O'Rourke, were a minor league team that played in
the city from 1898-1912.
"I knew Bridgeport had a lot of baseball history," Vigorito said. "What a great opportunity to
try and resurrect one of the old teams from Bridgeport."
Using old photos, he's attempted to replicate the Orators' original uniforms, which Vigorito
describes as Confederate Gray and Yale Blue. The team has also invested in replica
equipment used during the 1800s, everything from leather-peeled baseballs to the tiny
fielder's mitts that started making an appearance in the 1880s.
Unlike many teams that specialize, playing either 1860s rules (with no gloves) or 1880s (with
gloves and seamed baseballs), the Orators will divide their schedule, playing both
variations, depending on the opponent. "The idea of the game back then was more small
ball — hit it where they ain't," Vigorito said. "The game wasn't designed to go out there and
belt home runs. You couldn't do it anyway; the ball was too dead.
"You wanted to try and place the ball on the ground, force people to make errors because
no play was routine back then."
The rule differences between vintage and modern baseball are pronounced. Pitchers in the
1860s still threw underhand and any ball caught on one bounce was considered an out.
Also, there is no pitcher's mound; pitches are delivered from a hurler's box. There are no
balls and strikes called under the 1860s rules, but the umpire can issue a warning if he
deems the batter — known as the striker — is taking too many good pitches. From that
point, strikes are called. In the 1880s game, umpires call strikes, but the batter can request
location from a pitcher, either high or low. A batter can draw a walk on six balls.
Among the other rules that might seem unusual: Hit batsmen aren't awarded a base and any
ball that starts in fair territory, regardless of whether it passes first or third base, is
considered in play. Foul balls do not count as strikes.
The Orators will play home games at Seaside Park, competing against vintage teams
throughout the Northeast, including Newtown, Waterbury and Hartford.
"The city of Bridgeport needs something to root for," said city resident Jeff Webster, who
helped Vigorito get the team started. "Especially with all the history the city has had with
baseball." Vigorito already has a full roster of 25 players — he recruited friends and family
members and word soon spread.
"Within a couple of years we'll be really competitive," Webster said. "The first year you learn
the ins and outs, but we have enough talent to want to play. A lot of teams recruit older
players. We have guys in their 20's, and there's a big difference. Hopefully we can put our
athleticism in it."
Vigorito said most of his players have baseball experience, either from playing in high
school or American Legion. Others are dedicated softball players. Ultimately, he'd like to
create enough interest in the Orators to start a second team in the area, perhaps laying the
foundation for a six-team league. Hartford has two teams — the Dark Blues play by 1860s
rules and the Senators play by 1880s rules — and Vigorito doesn't see why that kind of
arrangement couldn't work in Bridgeport.
"One of biggest challenges is getting support from the community and finding sponsors,"
Vigorito said. "There's a significant cost with outfitting, uniforming, equipping a vintage
baseball team. "It really is a pure form of the game. No juiced balls, no juiced players. It
takes a lot of skill, but really what we're trying to do is have fun and do something good for
the city."
Not the same game
Nineteenth-century baseball is a game the average fan might not recognize:
? Pitchers in the 1860s delivered the ball underhand.
? Any ball caught on one bounce in the 1860s was an out.
? Umpires began calling strikes in the 1880s, but batters could request "high" and "low"
pitches.
? In the 1880s, a batter walked on ball six.
— MIKE PUMA
