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In the final weekend of April, the Columbus Capitals of Ohio ventured to New York to try their hand at the 1864 brand of baseball they had been exposed to in North Carolina at the end of last season. Their dreams of an undefeated east coast trip were soon dashed as the Atlantics put on a defensive display. Playing with the unfamiliar bounce rule and no rule-based limitations to leading or stealing, the Columbus team needed some time to adapt. Meanwhile the Atlantics were in prime form at the bat and at the field, holding Columbus to 4 aces and tallying 19 of their own. The Atlantic pitcher Frank 'Hammy' Obidienzo kept the Columbus batters at bay for most of the afternoon.
The Atlantic offense broke out with Anthony 'TC' Cannino, Dean 'Dreambucket' Emma, Frank 'Shakespeare' Van Zant, Greg 'Hawk' Dengel, and Kevin 'Flash' Harrison all recording three hits a piece.
After a short break, the Columbus squad decided to play something more similar to the 1867 game they usually play at home, but with the faster pacing of the 1864 matches. It was then decided that the second match should be played to the rules of 1864 without the one bounce rule, commonly referred to among Vintage Ballists as 'the Fly Game'. This seemed to awaken the Columbus bats as they pounded the ball to the outstretches of Atlantic Park. However, the Atlantics are also adept at this game and placed the ball where Capital fielders weren't. Although Columbus increased their tally's to 10, the Atlantics scored 28. Anthony 'Willy Mo' Stelmach was the pitcher of record, while Nick 'Butcher' Baruso, Willy Mo and Hammy collected three hits each. Not to be outdone, Sean 'Toothpick' Ness, Shakespeare and Flash each contributed four hits to the Atlantic offensive cause.
The Atlantic Base Ball Club normally relies on its defense to win games, however in this case it was the offense that carried the day scoring 47 runs on 56 hits.
The Atlantics wish our good friends from the Columbus Capitals good luck in their next games on their eastern tour against the New York Gothams and Flemington Neshanock. The Atlantics next play on Saturday May 12th in Chester, New Jersey against the Flemington Neshanock.
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