Eclipse Blast Flemington on 4th of July Weekend
By: Lee “Brew” Donelson
July 8, 2008
After a sluggish start, the base ball club of Elkton’s offense exploded earning 17-7 victory over the Neshanock.
Tim “Ones” Bower initiated the fireworks with a four-tally fourbaser in the third inning. Jon “Killer” Kilpatrick, one of the club’s muckles, launched several cannon-ball blasts forcing Flemington Scouts to scurry for cover.
Slick-fielding Rover Ryan “Pants” Gannon and muffin Second Basetender Mike “Duff” Duffy patrolled the midfield while hurler Tom “Schoolboy” Duffy led the splendiferous, defensive charge from the pitcher’s point.
In the 8th inning, Eclipse ballists teamed up and ignited the grand finale by working three walks and striking two singles and a double propelling the club to score five tallies.
Numerous rooters visiting the Cape May Historic Village provided cheers and jeers as they crammed behind the dish to witness the match.
Scorched Eclipse Scald the Competition
June 9, 2008
Battling the unmerciful sun and a dearth of players, the valiant Eclipse perspired and persevered on their way to winning three out of four matches at the Washington DC 19th Century Base Ball Classic.
On Saturday, the Eclipse initiated the ball playing by engaging a first-time foe, the Ohio Village Muffins. The mid-morning match was a tight defensive battle marked by a limited base stealing rule agreed to by both team’s captains. The Gentlemen of Elkton had little trouble with the Muffins as timely striking by Glyn “Hammer” Richards and Greg “Banker” Rodenbaugh led the way. Tom “Schoolboy” Duffy made his 2008 début hurling an exceptional match giving up only four tallies. The final tally was 8-4 in favor of the Eclipse.
Saturday’s second match also ended by a final tally of 8-4 and a victory for the Eclipse. Facing Eric Miklich and the NY Mutuals, Elkton again made the most of their offensive opportunities as club speedster Brian “Hops” Howarth stroked three hits and stole one base. The usually hard striking Mutuals may have suffered heat stroke as they could muster only minimal offensive output.
The Eclipse faced the feared Brooklyn Atlantics in Sunday’s first match. Having only eight players, the un-intimidated Eclipse roused untapped energy to battle the Atlantics in an epic struggle. Although Short Scout Mike “Irish” Phelan struck the ball well going 5 for 6 with 3 doubles, 5 tallies, and 5 stolen bases, the Eclipse finally succumbed after nine innings, falling 16-13.
The final match of the weekend saw the Eclipse take on the Rochester Live Oak. Sun-soaked ballists from both sides did all they could to scratch out tallies, but the heat final managed a victory. The final tally of the truncated match was 2-1 in favor of Elkton.
Although ballists and families alike could scarcely find a scrap of shade, the weekend was a shining success.
WOUNDED ECLIPSE MUGGED IN NYC
By: Lee “Brew” Donelson
May 18, 2008
Yesterday, the Eclipse BBC of Elkton limped to Central Park, NY for the annual Gotham Cup Tournament. Missing several ballists because of injury and personal reasons, the club threw together a rag-tag bunch for the highly competitive tournament. Jon "Killer" Kilpatrick, still recovering from a severely dislocated shoulder, proved his manliness by hurling (Against Medical and Wifely Advice) several innings for the club.
The first game—truly, a match of mediocrity—saw the Eclipse battle to their final at bat before falling 11-9 against the spirited tournament hosts, the NY Gothams. The club’s leading striker, Tim “Ones” Bower propelled a strong offensive effort, but the team’s multiple defensive miscues spelled demise for the Eclipse.
The nightcap marked the eighth occurrence of a match against the Brooklyn Atlantics. And like the first seven, the Eclipse failed to earn a victory. The Atlantics’ cohesive and fundamentally sound defense nearly whitewashed Elkton limiting the club to two tallies, while their timely striking attack produced more than enough for a comfortable victory. The final score was 11-2.
The Eclipse wish to thank Glenn “Geezer” Drinkwater of the Rochester Live Oak and Eric Miklich of the NY Mutuals for assisting the club on the field.
The club is happy to welcome our latest ballist, Bob “Grub” Groeber.
MD/NJ CHALLENGE A SUCCESS; ECLIPSE SPLIT AGAIN
By: Lee "Brew" Donelson
April 28, 2008
The Eclipse Base Ball Club of Elkton hosted the 2nd annual Maryland/New Jersey challenge yesterday. Two teams from New Jersey—the Flemington Neshanock and the Newark Eurekas—journeyed to Elk Landing to battle the Eclipse, the Talbot Fair Plays, and Chesapeake & Potomac.
For the second consecutive week, the Eclipse won one and lost one.
the Elkton gentlemen opened the day engaging in a mighty defensive struggle versus the Neshanock. Several Eclipse artists drew loud huzzahs from the throng of rooters after executing dazzling fielding gems. Down two tallies in the final inning, Eclipse Captain Glyn “Hammer” Richards energized the team by launching a colossal blast for a four-baser. Despite tying the score, the Eclipse succumbed to the persistent Flemington nine—losing by a final tally of 6-5.
In the match against the newly formed Newark Eurekas, the Eclipse dusted off the willows and unleashed a fury of stingers and rippers catapulting the club to an insurmountable lead. Making his way back from a devastating 2007 knee injury, Mike “Chopper” Pyle laced the horsehide over the left scout in his second at bat. On the field, Antoni “Shaggy” Sekowski led the way easily corralling all apples struck in his direction. All Eclipse ballists struck the ball well as the club sailed to a 27-4 victory.
Eric “the Express” Miklich of the New York Mutuals made the trip to Elk Landing to assist the Eclipse.
The EBBC ladies auxiliary served up a bountiful post-match feast, which was thoroughly enjoyed by ballists and families alike.
In the end, New Jersey had won the challenge by a score of 4 games to 2. Other results of the challenge were as follows:
New Jersey 4 Maryland 2
Flemington 6 Elkton 5 1864
Newark 15 C&P 3 1864
Elkton 27 Newark 4 1873
Flemington 3 Talbot 0 1860
Talbot 14 Newark 1 1860
Flemington 36 C&P 29 1873
Eclipse Open Season With Strong Bats, Fall in Second Game
By: Lee "Brew" Donelson
April 21, 2008
On April 20, 2008, the Elkton Eclipse Base Ball Club traveled to Crawford, NJ to engage in a doubleheader with the Providence Grays. Having only eight players each at the neutral venue, both clubs scrambled to field a complete nine. The Eclipse recruited a true muffin from the local township and the Grays borrowed a ballist from the Elizabeth Athletic Club.
The Eclipse dominated the first match—an 1864-styled battle—by jumping out to a 6-0 first inning lead. From then on, the Eclipse defense carried the club. Ryan “Pants” Gannon, the team’s Short Scout, led the way making heaps of difficult plays seem routine. Team president, Bruce “Early” Leith hurled a solid game, while the club’s timely hitting in the later innings propelled the Eclipse to a seemingly effortless 16-2 victory.
Playing by 1884 rules in the second game, the teams saw reversed fortunes as the Grays quickly claimed an early advantage. Their relentless striking attack wore down the gentleman from Elkton. And though the valiant Eclipse fought hard, they couldn’t string together enough hits to make a substantial run for victory. The final score was 9-3 in favor of Providence.
Next Sunday, April 27, 2008, the Eclipse welcome the Flemington Neshanock, the Talbot Fair Plays, Chesapeake & Potomac, and the Newark Eurekas to Elk Landing for the New Jersey/Maryland challenge. The Newark Eurekas, an off-shoot of the Flemington club, are beginning their inaugural season and will be making their first ever visit to Elk Landing.