Annual Baseball Game Report

September 7, 2005

        Continuing with a unit tradition since 2001, members of the 78th PA, Co. F once again participated in our annual Civil War baseball game. The game was played at the Freeport Community Park and all rules were played according to the New York rules of the 1860s. Since it was just a unit function, the players wore modern clothes, but played the game with period style bats, balls, and bases (and absolutely no gloves).

        Members of the 78th PA, along with several guests, per our tradition, were divided into two teams. One team represents the Freeport Blues (nickname of 78th PA, Co. F) and the other represents the Armstrong Rifles (Co. A, 8th PA Reserves) from Apollo. Before starting, it was decided that we would play six innings, unless the extra inning should be needed.

        After a short warm up, the game was underway by 2:30 PM with the Rifles as the home team. Looking for redemption from last year's close loss, the Blues jumped out to a quick two run lead in the top of the first, but the Rifles cut it in half by countering with one. The Blues then added to their lead with three runs in the second and two in the third, giving a nice 7-1 cushion. However, the Rifles weren't going to give up easily, countering with five runs in the bottom of the third and making the Blues worry a bit.

        Over the next two innings, both teams locked in a tight defensive match and the score remained 7-6 going into the sixth and final inning. In the top of the sixth, the Blues managed to squeak home one run and hoped the 8-6 lead would provide enough cushion. With the game on the line, the Blues managed to get a couple important early outs, but with runners on first and second, the Rifles hoped for clutch hit. With a low popup hit just in front of second base, the Blues' second baseman managed to catch it and hang on in a tumbling dive, ending the game. With a final of 8-6, the Blues came away with the win this year.

        Overall, this year's game went very well and was certainly more offensive driven. However, more importantly than the outcome, both teams played as gentlemen and friends, and everyone had fun. A special thank you goes out to everyone who participated in or umpired the game, and our members who came out to watch and cheer us on.

Box Score
Team/Inning         1 2 3 4 5 6    Final
Freeport Blues       2 3 2 0 0 1      8
Armstong Rifles     1 0 5 0 0 0      6

WP: D. Sadowski (6 innings)
LP: M. Hooks (6 innings)

Highlights
R. Bruni goes 4 for 5 at the plate and accounts for 3 runs.
B. Hawk legging out several base hits
M Hooks' throw to get R. Bruni out at home plate
K. Scott's RBI
Rifles' third inning rally
I. Garia's catch behind home plate
G. Cocco's throw to first
R. Bruni's game-ending catch
…and many more…

Respectfully submitted,
Aaron Hooks,
Freeport Blues