Old-Time Baseball Kicks Off This Weekend In Monmouth County

WALL, NJ — Baseball season has begun at stadiums across the country, from major league teams to tee-ball.

This weekend, take a step back in time and see how baseball was played in its early years, as the Monmouth Furnace Base Ball Club takes on the Flemington Neshanock as the Mid-Atlantic Vintage Base Ball League starts its season.

The teams will play by 1864 rules, back when the name of the sport was two words.

“Our entertaining games authentically re-enact the roots of modern baseball,” explained Russ McIver of Allenhurst, the team captain.“We make history come alive by swinging wood bats at underhand pitches and fielding the ball without gloves."

Saturday's game will be played at Deal Elementary School, 201 Roseld Avenue. The game is scheduled for an 11 a.m start. Admission is free.

The Deal contest will be the first of Monmouth Furnace's 16 quaint but fast-paced games on spring and summer weekends. Monmouth Furnace will face another amateur team in West Long Branch on the following Saturday, April 14. It will also play in Holmdel, South Amboy, Manasquan, Little Silver, Piscataway and Atlantic Highlands during this season.

Monmouth Furnace players come from all over the Shore region and beyond and range from 18 years old to 75. They regularly compete against league teams from New Brunswick, Elizabeth, Hoboken and nearby states.

The club often plays at historic sites such as Allaire Village. Monmouth Furnace was the original name of the pioneering Wall Township business that became Allaire Iron Works in the 1800s. McIver said the national pastime got its start at the Shore in the 1850s with teams representing resort hotels. Later in the 19th century, major-league teams from Brooklyn and Manhattan held their spring training games in Allaire and Lakewood one year.

"We're looking for a few more players who want to have good old-fashioned enjoyment on the diamond," McIver said. "They can be 'muffins' (rookies) or 'corkers' (good players)."

Prospective players can get information at 732-859-7643 or furnace@monmouth.com.

Frank Siracusa (left) of Manchester plays the "behinder" (catcher) position during a Monmouth Furnace game. The man in formal attire is the "arbiter" (umpire). Photo courtesy of Rich Wieland