The Gotham Base Ball Club of New York

Photo by Cashel Stewart

On a recent very hot August afternoon, I and my progeny hiked to a very remote corner of Queens, to a very tiny playground, to see an obscure team play an arcane version of baseball. The Gotham Base Ball Club of New York is part of the Vintage Base Ball Association. The guys all wear historical uniforms and play according to 1864 rules. For some unrealistic reason, I was expecting there to be a stadium full of 19th century fans as well, eating one-cent bags of nuts and wearing boaters. No soap. In fact, there were no other spectators at this unbelievably remote location, aside from two beer drinking girlfriends. (Aping the great Babe Ruth, the pitcher for the Gothams was also drinking and smoking during the game, prompting my kids to nickname him "John Belushi"). We're not sure if they chose the Hellgate playground because its baseball diamond is configured to the old school regulations or if it is because they prefer their privacy, theatrical baseball costumes notwithstanding. We invaded it anyway, and photographed the guys in action. Cashel's pix came out best as they always do, and we post some here for your edification. On this occasion the Gotham club was playing a team called the Pittsfield Elms.

Photo by Cashel Stewart