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2007 Season

Opening Day

A video of the Mastadon Mine Minstrels team song on Opening Day 2007 can be found here: Minstrels.

Drew "Wilkes Booth" Frady, Match Reporter

Opening day of the 2007 season for the Colorado Vintage Base Ball Association started warm and sunny for all in Broomfield. And though the temperature dropped and the skies clouded over, the result was still full of warmth and brightness for the Denver Blue Stockings as they triumphed over the Mastadon Mine Minstrels by 25 tallies to 2.

Good offensive defense was seen early in the game by Paul “Wheels” Harris as he wheeled from the second bag to the third and “got in the way of” a batted ball. Mr. Harris nearly pulled the feat off again later in the game but excellent speed and soft hands by Tom “Dutch “ Morris thwarted the effort. However, Mr. Morris’s speed betrayed him late in the game when, thinking his own wheels would carry him around to score, he was caught in a rundown between third and the home base. Fine ball handling ginger by Mark “Fearless Foster’ got the tag done.

Some fine defense on both sides made the game interesting but the Stockings seemed able to hit it where the Minstrels weren’t almost at will. Especially fine striking by Several Stockings today: Mad Dog Mason- 4-5, Wheels Harris- 5-6, Fearless Foster 6 –7 (Seven times at the strike? That’s more than he’ll see the rest of the season,) and especially Pack Rat Orlowski who went a perfect 5 –5! On the losing side, Scooter Smolinski was a perfect 3-3 as well.

Fine refereeing done by Andy “Red” Reagan and a special thank you to Casey Morris who, despite her fathers involvement in the game, was a true and honest Tally Keeper.

Chicagoed!

Rigger "Joe" Mortis, Match Reporter

Rowdy cranks from as far away as Hong Kong find a sense of curiosity in the recent match played by the Central City Stars and the Berthoud Blues. Through the nine innings the Blues were singing away as they were “Chicagoed” in all but two innings wherein they tallied an ace in each of those innings. Their biggest nemesis, Left Scout Paul “Wheels” Harris, seemed to be in the right place at the right time to pick up the Cloud-Hunters, Sky-Scrapers, and Air-Balls (both on the fly and first bounce). During one at bat for the Stars, they were also Chicagoed. The final tally after nine innings the Central City Stars defeated the Berthoud Blues 28 to 2. First-time umpire Rigger “Joe” Mortis escaped the game unscathed (somebody forgot the tar and feathers) by deferring to the “cranks” with regard to questionable calls. As usual, “Cherokee” Sharon performed the duties of Tally-Keeper with accuracy and finesse. Next match is to take place during Superior Days in Superior, Colorado, Saturday, May 19, 1:00 p.m.

Chicagoed is a term used to describe a team that is kept from scoring any runs during their at bat, e.g. “The Stars didn’t score that inning, so we Chicagoed ‘em,” proclaimed Ian "Traveler" Tinney, hurler for the Blues.

Superior Days

Superior Match

Click on the "schedule" for game results.

Cañon City Historical Hey-Days

President Lincoln offers ceremonial first hurl at Cañon City Hey-Days match!

Rigger "Joe" Mortis, Match Reporter

Arriving by train in Cañon City, President Abraham Lincoln took time away from his executive duties to speak to the assembled cranks before the match between the Colorado Territorial All Stars and the Cañon City Tenderfeet. Mr. Lincoln relayed stories about contests between Yankees and Rebels and one match wherein the Yanks were unable to finish a game because the Rebels had hidden the ball. Saturday’s match at Centennial Field held the final tally of All Stars 12, Tenderfeet 3.

Berthoud Day was a great game!

Ian "Traveler" Tinney, Match Reporter

Great weather greeted us for the start of what turned out to be a perfect day! The morning began with High School Graduation followed by a fantastic parade, including "Buckeye" Bob Mitchell driving his Classic Corvair "Horseless Carriage". Some of the visiting Mastadon Mine Minstrels arrived on the Noon stage, while others came by private carriage.

In an exciting and close game the Berthoud Blues won their season home opener by the score of 14 to 12.The visitors won the stone toss and elected to be at the strike last. The ceremonial opening pitch was a simultaneous toss by Town dignitaries to officially launch the Berthoud Historical Society's "Forge the Future for Our Past" fund raising campaign. These included the Mayor, Town Administrator, Museum Director and the Historical Society President.

The ensuing game was hard fought and mostly well played. The lead changed several times during the course of the game and when the visitors came to the strike in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Blues had a slim lead of two tallies. The excitement mounted, as with two hands dead, the Minstrels had runners on first and third with the winning run at the home plate. There was some concern when a hometown crank was seen for the second time in the day in a discussion with umpire "Red Dog" Wickett and money was noticed being exchanged. This time, however, he rebuffed the attempt to influence the outcome and the game continued with the striker hitting a long cloud hunter that was caught by Eric "Scurvy" Weedin, giving the hometown boys a glorious victory. The winning Ace was tallied by Ian "Traveler" Tinney, with the winning hit made by his son "Cannibal"

Butch Cassidy's Western Outlaw Festival

Wyoming Territorial Prison

Rigger "Joe" Mortis, Match Reporter

The Colorado Territorial All Stars spent their Saturday afternoon being hosted by the Laramie Lawmen at the Wyoming Territorial Prison. A well-rounded, even matchup wherein the Lawmen’s roster was complemented by not just a few inmates having pluck of their own (how do you think they got ‘inside’). Thunderation! There came such a site as a ballist known as Special K who astounded opponents and cranks alike at his Behind abilities. Umpire “Deacon” Massengill kept order even as All Star “Traveler” Tinney fired a round from his sidearm toward the sky in an attempt to bring down a rather large bird (perhaps dinner after the match). “Hay You” Mattis kept tally of aces and spent an extraordinary amount of time rounding up inmates to strike from the line (balls and chains taken off inmates for the match offered temptation difficult to pass). You can see the final tally by clicking on the “schedule” page. (Story as transcribed by prison telegraphers.)

Eagle Flight Days

June 23

Rigger "Joe" Mortis, Match Reporter

Saturday afternoon’s match at the Flight Days weekend in Eagle proved well for the All Stars as they have now won three of their last four contests. Saturday’s victory came at the expense of the Balding Eagles who forced the All Stars to defend their abilities on the field and at the line.

As the All Stars took to the field, "Red Dog" Wickett assumed hurling duties. A moment of profound timing occurred when “Traveler” Tinney arrived. In a gentlemanly manner, Red Dog offered the ball to Traveler to be the designated hurler for the All Stars. Traveler accepted the ball and accolades from cranks present and began winding up. Following three hands dead for the half inning, mention was made on the All Stars hay bales about Traveler saving Red Dog’s ERA. Somebody asked what an ERA was and nobody knew. And that was only the first inning.

The match see-sawed as innings progressed – all ballists getting time at the line and in the field. Traveler, again, potentially side-stepped the rules of the game when, as a hurler, he pulled his sidearm and made a self-determination that the runner on third was dead. Other contributing All Stars were Suds (captain), Cannibal, Clanger, Crawdad, Digger, Dutch, Iceberg, Icecube, Scooter, Ski, Tiny, and three or four others (email the webmaster), and Rigger danced around home plate before tallying. The match was honored by the umpiring of "Deacon" Massengill, which, though may have been questionnable at times, pocketed any noteworthy gratuities as appropriate and necessary. The wife of the second Territorial Governor of Colorado, Margret Evans, accurately performed the duties of Tally-Keeper.

Independence Day - Cripple Creek

July 4

Rigger "Joe" Mortis, Match Reporter

The Denver Blue Stockings and Colorado Territorial All Stars battled each other and rain during the Independence Day match in Cripple Creek (click on “schedule” for match results; “gallery” for images). The game began as a threatening cloud hovered over the playing field -- at the outset, Umpire “Traveler” Tinney got the attention of the assembled ballists and cranks by firing a round toward the sky. (Later it was noted that this “hole” in the cloud let loose with the subsequent cloudbursts.) The contest was a good one as several ballists on both teams showed their mettle when the time came. First Base Tender “Wheels” Harris would not allow a ball to pass him, when either hit or thrown, he made the play much to the chagrin of the All Stars. “Wilkes Booth” Frady got caught in a tight situation between first and second base and was unable to escape the ball passed back and forth as he was run down by the All Star base tenders and hurler. As usual All Stars from the Mastadon Mine Minstrels, Dutch, Tiny, and Rigger, provided music of popular songs of the day. Of course, the suffragette ladies had to have their say as well with a determined demonstration interrupting the play on the field. The Cripple Creek undertaker also showed up for the match. He apparently mistook the base ball term “hands dead” as he measured a few ballists for what they thought was a new suit. The Lovely Casey Morris steadfastly kept accurate tally throughout the storm of rain and aces.

Westminster Annual Match

Saturday, July 7

The Colorado Territorial All Stars and Westminster Lightning Bolts went the distance and then some on Saturday and completed the match in 10 innings. For game results click on the "schedule" link.

Monthly Match at Broomfield

Saturday, July 28

Rigger "Joe" Mortis, Match Reporter

Team Captains Gary “Red Dog” Wicket (Mastadon Mine Minstrels) and Ian “Traveler” Tinney (Berthoud Blues) drew cards provided by Umpire Roger “Digger” Hadix to determine which team would first take the field. The Blues, first to bat, trailed only at the end of the first inning by one ace. The cloud hunters struck by the Blues allowed many a tally for them as the Minstrels failed in their attempts at the striker line. Much loose fielding by the Minstrels added to their frustration and the Blues’ tally. As the match progressed, a questionable play took place on second base as “Traveler” attempted a force out of Rigger “Joe” Mortis – it was such a close a play that “Digger” made his way toward second base for a determination. In a gentlemanly fashion “Digger” sought opinions from the ballists involved in the play. Subsequently “Digger” ordered “Rigger” back to first base and a replay of the hurl by the Blues. As the match continued and the score gap widened, the Minstrels were further demoralized when, in mid-inning, team captain “Red Dog” was traded to the Blues for hurler Richard “Rube” Foster. The end came none too soon for the Minstrels as the many muffs dragged at the ballists to the conclusion of the match. Click on “schedule” for results.

Silt Hey Days

Saturday, August 4

Rigger "Joe" Mortis, Match Reporter

The Colorado Territorial All Stars traveled west of Glenwood Canyon to Silt for a match with the Silt All Stars. The Silt ballists showed their pluck and ginger as the Territorials muffed at the striker’s line and in the field. Of particular note, talents were shown by the Silt behind and general all round fielding by the rest of the Silt nine including the hurler. Paul “Wheels” Harris showed his ginger as usual with left scout fielding and Ed “Sled Dog” Sehladewitz struck 2 for 3 from the striker’s line. Fellow ballists were left wondering who had inhabited Ian “Traveler” Tinney’s body – not in its usual form. The match ended with the Silt All Stars, captained by Greg “Ski” Colorinsky, the victors. Territorials Captain “Fast Eddie” Phelan most humbly took full responsibility for the team's loss. Click on “schedule” for final tally.

Larimer County Fair

August 11

Rigger "Joe" Mortis, Match Reporter

Umpire “Traveler” Tinney tossed the wetted stone in the air as All Stars Captain “Red Dog” Wickett called the side (wet or dry). The resulting decision put Captain “Old Hoss” Foster and his Blue Stockings in the fielding position at the first inning. Stars fell at the Larimer County Fairgrounds as Rigger “Joe” Mortis headed for home base after rounding third. He knew the ball was coming fast behind and wasn’t sure he’d make it home until it hit him in the head. But it wasn’t enough to tally a win for the All Stars (click on “schedule” for final tally). Basking in the glory of a walk to first base, Rigger was subsequently picked off by Stockings hurler Old Hoss in a throw to the base tendered by “Rowdy” Myerly. It was a close match throughout as was noted by attending cranks Knipp and Tukk. “Deacon” Massengill maintained a steady hand as Tally-Keeper and “Cherokee” Sharon distributed suffragette leaflets disguised as base ball programs. Territorial militia from Fort Carson were on hand in anticipation of a suffragette demonstration that did not materialize. The Colorado Territorial All Stars are now 4 wins and 4 losses on the season.

Berthoud Ice Cream Social

August 12

Rigger "Joe" Mortis, Match Reporter

Though the Colorado Territorial All Stars fielded only 8 ballists for the match hosted by the Berthoud Blues, the All Stars prevailed in 7 innings (click on “schedule” for final tally). The day was hot and sunny under a blue Colorado sky and the homemade ice cream (vanilla, peach, and banana) cooled ballists and cranks alike as the daisy cutters and sky balls flew. The Blues made every attempt to defeat the All Stars in this contest but failed to stifle a rally as the Stars tallied 9 aces in their last inning at the striker’s line. Match play was interrupted (much to the frustration of a few ballists) when several suffragettes decided to display their displeasure at not having the right to vote. Richard “Rube” Foster maintained his poise in making dramatic calls as Umpire and ordering the suffragettes off the field of play. Beth Cuilla kept track of tallies and dead men as Tally-Keeper.

Liberty-Labor Day, Rock Ledge Ranch

September 3

Roger “Digger” Hadix, Match Reporter

Clear skies and extremely warm temperatures greeted the ballists and cranks for the annual match at RockLedge Ranch today. The Colorado Territorial Young All-Stars took a 1-0 lead in the second inning and were able to hold it until the bottom of the fifth inning when the Cloudbusters broke through for 3 Aces. Anvil Morris, Captain of the Cloudbusters, decided their team needed a target to hit at and brought out Patches the cow, complete with a red bullseye painted on her left side. The Cloudbusters tallied in the next consecutive innings 2, 4, and 2 mores Aces to bring their total to 11. The Young All-Stars were only able to scratch out 2 more Aces, 1 in the 8th and 1 in the 9th. The Women’s Christian Temperance Union made two appearances, one before the match and one during the match. At one point, your humble captain (Digger), had to sign the darn pledge just to retrieve the game ball from one of the ladies. There were a good number of cranks and rooters in attendance and there is great hope for our game, with some fine plays made by youngsters in foul territory. Andy “Red” Regan did a fine job as Umpire today and thanks to my brother Steve “Long Gone” Long for Tallykeeping, with the able assistance of Tori Billings who posted the numbers on the tallyboard. It was a fine match, everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves. I would like to thank all of the ballists and costumed cranks who came out today, Vintage Base Ball shined today. I am looking forward to seeing everyone at Walker Ranch this year. Huzzah for the National Game.

22nd Annual Walker Ranch Special Event

September 30

Roger “Digger” Hadix, Match Reporter

Nary a cloud in the sky greeted the ballists Sunday afternoon at Walker Ranch. The Colorado Territorial All-Stars were 12 strong, while the Walker Ranch boys had to borrow a couple of All-Stars to fill out their ranks. Captaining the All-Stars was Gary Red Dog Wickett. Deacon Pat Massengill kept the Tally while Drew Wilkes Booth Frady Umpired. Wilkes Booth called (began) the match shortly after 1:00 p.m.. A constant wind blowing in increased the difficulty in hurling, catching the ball and running the bases. Throughout the match, Ma Walker kept calling for her boys to do their chores and so they had to replaced by cranks from the crowd. In what was believed to be his debut as Hurler, Dathan Cannibal Tinney did a fine job and secured the shortened match. The All-Stars won by a tally of 9 to 4. Many young cranks attended the match and were rewarded with trading cards from the All-Stars. Huzzah for the National Game, Digger

"...it was windy and the uphill climb to center was a *itch after the 3rd inning. My legs are still sore." - Rowdy Myerly

Closing Day - Broomfield

October 6

Click on Schedule page for match results.

2007 CVBBA Roster

“$2 Bill” Tietjen; Mike “Baldy” Baldwin; “Bicycle” Mike Roberts; Kurt “Breadbasket” Beckers; Bob “Buckeye” Mitchell; Lance “Bugler” Christensen; Dathan “Cannibal” Tinney; Herb “Comrade” Meeker; "Crawdad"; Charlie “Curley” Blosten; Pat “Deacon” Massengill; Roger “Digger” Hadix; Tom “Dutch” Morris; Ed “Fast Eddie” Phelan; Mark “Fearless” Foster; Don “Flat Iron” Parrish; John “Fletch” Fletcher; Ron “Freight Train” Williamson; Joe “Frenchy” Racine; Ron "Iceberg" Billings; R.J. "Icecube" Billings; “Irish” Tom Valaika; Michael “Ironman” Renbarger; Matt “Legs” Thompson; Ferril “MadDog” Mason; “Magic Mike” Piccolo; Wayne “Mister Sports Collectible” Stivers; Raymond “Oak” Luurs; Bruce “Old Hoss” Foster; George “Pack Rat” Orlowski; Andy “Red” Regan; Gary “Red Dog” Wickett; Joe “Rigger Mortis” Mattis; Richard “Rowdy” Myerly; Richard “Rube” Foster; Barry “Scooter” Smolenske; Jared “Slacker” Tinney; Ed “Sled Dog” Sehladewitz; Paul “Slim” Terron; Eric “Sluice” Ervin; Dave "Snake Oil" Sewell; Danny “Spider” Michaud; John “Stretch” Bosio; Chuck “Suds” Knezevich; Roger “Swede” Peterson; “Tex” Holt; “Tiny Tim” Heine; Ian “Traveler” Tinney; Paul “Wheels” Harris; Drew “Wilkes Booth” Frady