| All rights reserved. |
News 12’s award winning weather man and
our team mate Paul Piorek offers
his thoughts and reactions after his
first practice with the Orators
Put Me in Coach, I'm Ready to Play
For the first time in nearly 40 years, I'm playing "organized" baseball. That's right, this middle-
aged weather forecaster is a member of the Bridgeport Orators, the newest baseball club to
join the New England Vintage Baseball League. Our team will play other squads from
Hartford, Waterbury, New London, Newtown, and Pittsfield, MA, exclusively on the weekends
over the next few months.
The team was named after Bridgeport native James "Orator" O'Rourke (seen at the left),
who had an illustrious major league career and is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He
played 21 major league seasons, won the 1884 batting title, and holds the distintion of
recording the first-ever hit in the National League. Toward the end of his career, O'Rourke
became a player, manager, and owner of Bridgeport's professional baseball team, the
Orators, appearing in 913 games. He earned his nickname due to his clever use of the
English language.
The brand of baseball we'll play doesn't remotely resemble the game of today. That's
because we'll be playing according to the rules of the 1860s, which means no gloves! Our
first practice was held yesterday at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, and an impressive turnout of
20 players attended the session.
I pitched the entire nine-inning practice game and held my own, so-to-speak. In fact, I fielded
my position cleanly, and I even connected solidly at the plate in two of my three at-bats. I
think raking the lawn all day Saturday strengthened my arms considerably! I noticed
immediately that I am the only lefthanded thrower and hitter on the team.
It's going to take awhile to get used to the rules of the 1860s, though. My right hand is still
hurting after the throwing and catching drills. It's extremely difficult to play without a mitt.
Further, the batter is called out if a defensive player catches the baseball on one hop. Any
ball hit into the field of play which eventually lands in foul territory is still deemed a fair ball,
and there are no stoppages in play, meaning the pitcher may toss another pitch even if the
batter isn't ready.
You should have seen the umpire. He looked like somebody right out of a mortuary, wearing
a dark black suit and tie and carrying a book with the rules of the game. He appeared rather
scholarly, and interrupted play on several occasions to inform the players about certain
rules germane to the game of 1860s baseball.
One of the unwritten rules of the "gentleman's sport" is to applaud the umpire and not argue
or to publicly disagree with any of his calls. Players are actually encouraged to congratulate
players on the other team after a fine defensive play or a base hit. What a far cry from today!
Even though I'm the second eldest player on the squad and most of my teammates are
nearly 30 years younger than me, I thought I was in better shape than many of the players. I
was excited to wear my new cleats, don the sweatshirt, and take the field. Our games take
place on the weekends, and my son is eager to join me on the long road trips.
I'm especially looking forward to playing a few games at Waconah Park in Pittsfield, MA. It's a
"classic" ballpark in which the batter actually faces West. It was, at one time, the only
professional ballpark where games had to be delayed because the batter was facing the
setting Sun. We'll also play a game at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, and that is
something I'm very much looking forward to.
Before the reader thinks this is a pathetic attempt by me to relive my youth, consider that the
team's founder, Joseph Vigorito, actually called and recruited me to play on the team. Joe
knows my interest in the history of the game of baseball, and we crossed paths at the
second annual Park City Sportsfest in Bridgeport last month. He was excited that I accepted
his offer.
That's Joe, to the left, wearing the "classic" uniform, circa 1860s. Our team receives its
uniforms either this week or next, and I can't wait to get started. Our next practice is this
Saturday in Newtown. Our first game of the season is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, April
29, at the Hartford Dark Blues. We're involved in an eight-team tournament Memorial Day
weekend in Pittsfield, MA.
So, while the major league season gets going this week, I'm preparing to play vintage
baseball with other like-minded individuals who share a love for the history of the game of
"base ball."
Paul
