Westfield Baseball Great Joe Mazieka Passes Away

Westfield baseball great of the late 1930s and 1940s Joe Mazieka passed away this past Monday. Joe was a great help to me while I was researching Westfield baseball during the late 30s and 40s and helping me identify key players from that time period beyond that of microfilm. For that I am grateful to have known him.

http://obits.masslive.com/obituaries/masslive/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-w-mazeika&pid=147476156

Wheelmen Single Game Ticket Sales Causes Frenzy at the 'Shire

By 9:00 AM this morning, four hours before single-game seats would go on sale at the 'Shire, thousands upon thousands of Wheelmen cranks caused mayhem on Rte. 10 & 202 and the Mass Pike clogging up roads and exit ramps. Wheelmen owner Anheiser Van Pilsner had no choice but to allow parking IN the stadium. Unfurtunately only about 28 seats were available for sale.

Actually, its a photo of Bush Stadium in Indianapolis which closed in 1996 as a minor league park and was also the home to many scenes from the movie 'Eight Men Out.' Saddly, it is currently housing cars from the "Cash For Clunkers" promo in that area. Back in 1931 when it was known as Perry Stadium, Ray Fitzgerald from Westfield, MA hit the first home run in the stadium, some 450 feet to leftcenter. For this achievement Ray received $100 bonus and a wristwatch. In the photo Ray is in his Indianapolis uniform.

Stadium photo by: Jalopnik

When Casey Slugged The Ball

A rare follow-up to the Mighty Casey striking out. This time Casey gets his revenge...written by Nat Wright as published in Sporting Life June 1895

WHEN CASEY SLUGGED THE BALL


Oh, you all have heard of Mudville,

Heard of mighty Casey, too;

Qf the groans amid the bleachers

As the ball thrice past him flew;

But you haven't heard the story,

The best story of them all,

Of the day in happy Mudville,

When great Casey slugged the ball.




"Twas the day they played "the Giants;"

And the score stood ten to eight;

Two men were on the bases,

And great Casey at the plate,

"Swipe her, Casey," yelled the rooters,

And the hero.doffed his cap;

Three to win and two to tie

And Casey at the bat.




Mid a hush of expectation,

Now the ball flies past his head;

Great Casey grins a sickly grin:

"Strike one," the umpire said.

Again the pitcher raised his arm,

Again the horse-hide flew;

Great Casey spat upon the ground,

And the umpire said, "strike two."




"It's a roast,” came from the grand stand,

"He is bought without a doubt."

"He is rotten!" roared the bleachers,

"Throw the daylight robber out!"

"I'll break yer face," says Casey,

"That wan wint below me knee;

If I miss the nixt, ye blackguard,

Ye won't live long to see."




The next one came like lightning,

And the umpire held his breath,

For well he knew it Casey missed,

"Twould surely mean his death;

But Casey swung to meet it,

Backed by all his nerve and gall:

Oh, if you had but heard the yell,

As Casey smashed the ball!




He caught the pigskin on the nose,

It cleared the big town lot,

It sailed above the high church tower,

In vain the fielders sought;

And Casey didn't even run,

He stopped awhile, to talk,

And then amid the deafening cheers

He came round in a walk.




And now he keeps a beer saloon,

He is Mayor of the town,

The people flock to see him,

From all the country round;

And you need not look for Mudville

Or the man upon the wall,

Because the town's called Caseyville

Since Casey slugged the ball.

#####

Happy Thanksgiving!

Modified 19th Century Glove

The next time I get any grief regarding my catchers glove I will direct them to these photos from an item that appeared on eBay.

19th Century Ballists Took PEDs

Why are we so hard on Barry Bonds and others when 19th Century ballists openly took PEDs? Checkout the ad from the 1890s promoting the benefits of sarsaparilla and then read the following excerpt from an on-line article titled 'What Are The Benefits of Sarsaparilla?';

"Sarsaparilla contains the plant steroids (steroidal saponins), which some believe can mirror the work of human hormones. However, the body is not able to transform plant steroids into human hormones, and the claim is yet to be validated by scientific evidence. Such perceived properties have resulted in the advertisement of sarsaparilla as a sexual enhancer for men and as an anabolic steroid replacement, for athletes and bodybuilders (sometimes under the name Smilax)."

WOW! I guess what Mark, Sammy and Barry did was exactly what any ball player would do in any era. HUZZAH!

19th Century Catcher's Hands

No those are not my hands (although sometimes I feel like they are) they are the hands of Doug Allison a 19th Century catcher. I truly believe I broke both my hands this year catching (1886 style) which proves the fact that what we 19th Century vintage ballists do is closer to the actual game than people realize or give us credit for. Its too bad more modern day ballists don't man-up and give it a try. Personally, I think they would shribble-up instead. Anyways, the challenge still stands...if you are out and want to take on the Wheelmen in 2011 contact me.

Westfield Wheelmen Unveil New Uniform Look

Here we see "Silky" Nick Och recently wearing a new prototype Wheelmen uniform outside of the Wheelmen offices on Elm Street in Westfield. The Wheelmen are entertaining new uniform styles for the 2011 season and will consider many ideas and options. "The problem," according to Wheelmen owner Anheiser Van Pilsner, "is that there are very few companies out there that support our trade...we could use a few more options to choose from...until then...(Pilsner looking depressed) what "Silky" is wearing is all we got so far."

Wheelmen Have Their Day at Kingston New York

The long awaited trip to Kingston New York to play the newly formed Kingston Washington Guards Base Ball Club happened this past weekend and it was quite a success. Of course the main purpose of the visit was to help raise funds for the Angels in the Outfield American Cancer Society group. The Wheelmen were armed with a BIG check valued at over $1,770.

In return the Kingston Guards presented the Wheelmen with a rare framed photo of a 1934 River Valley Baseball team known as Foster Machine...a perennial championship team of the River Valley League here in Westfield from the mid 1910s to the 1950s. The photo was taken at historic Whitney Playground, home of the Westfield Softball League where many of the Wheelmen spend their weeknites from April through October alongside the ghosts of many of these players (see above).

As for the games, the Wheelmen took the doubleheader and executed a rare hidden peeled apple trick much to the delight of the capacity crowd on hand.

A great time was had by all and we hope to return to Kingston in 2011.

Click here to watch an hour and forty-one minute recorded "live" stream of game two.

Wheelmen Clean House at Old Bethpage

The Wheelmen returned from their weekend trip undefeted at the much heralded Old Bethpage Village Annual Vintage Base Ball Festival this past Sunday evening. A throng of loyal cranks greeted the victors at the Westfield Train Station as bonfires were lit throughout the city as the news spread of the Wheelmen victories. On Saturday, victories over the mighty Brooklyn Atlantics in an 1864 match stunned the fans in attendance and the victory over the Providence Grays in the afternoon was a classic 1884 heated battle.

On Sunday, the Wheelmen again defeated the Grays in an 1886 match in what would be another heated battle. The Wheelmen wrapped up their sweep of Long Island with a victory over one of the Old Bethpage house teams Manetto Hill in another 1864 match.

Speeches were made at the train station Sunday evening as the Mayor declared Monday Wheelmen Day in Westfield complete with a massive parade until the mayor's assistant reminded the mayor that with all the downtown road construction underway in Westfield that would be impossible. Plans are in the works for a possible concert celebration to take place Friday evening at Bullens Field. It is rumored that several bands have committed to appear such as Dokken, Small Faces, Dick Dale and Kiss. Details to follow.

Photo by Brian Sullivan

Wheelmen Return To Southwick Daze

For the second consecutive year the Westfield Wheelmen will play an exhibition doubleheader of American Civil War Base Ball against the Southwick Volunteers at Southwick Daze tomorrow July 25th at the Rec Center at Southwick MA starting at noon. This promises to be a great day...down the left field line is the BBQ Cook-Off Competition and down the right field line the Southwick Firemen's Circus and the Wheelmen in the middle.

Photo: Artist rendition of last years event.

Wheelmen Captain Presented With Prestigious Award

The Westfield Historical Commission recently selected "Gunner" Genovese (me) as its 2010 winner of the Annual Preservation Award. The award seeks to recognize individuals, businesses and families who have contributed to preserving the integrity of Westfield's historical resources. The Westfield Historical Commission believes that by contributing to the preservation of our historical resources we preserve our cultural heritage as well. With plans for the revitalization of the historic downtown moving forward it is important to retain that character that has made Westfield such desirable place to live work and enjoy life.

Through my research and publishing of two baseball books about Westfield baseball history as well as my writings on professional basketball, talks and presentations and of course through live historical presence of the Westfield Wheelmen (as well as getting Adonis Terry and the Wheelmen on the new Westfield historical mural), this award is well earned and greatly appreciated. Perhaps one day soon the Westfield Evening News will get around to announcing this instead of publishing constant negative chatter about Westfield.

Photo: Gunner being presented with the award by Mayor Knapik
Read the story on MassLive

Wheelmen Execute Rare Play

When the Agawam Bullies took the field this past Saturday against their 19th Century brethren little did they know they would witness a feat in baseball that no man alive has either seen or performed. The act of stealing 1st base has not been done since the rule was put into law in 1920 and most likley before that. With Gator Dumont on 1st base and Gunner Genovese on 3rd. The less then fleet-footed Gator stole second base but did not attract a throw by the Bullies catcher leaving Gunner at 3rd base. Being the savey ballist that he his Gator headed back to 1st base on the next pitch...he just stole 1st much to the surprise of all in attendance. Citing a bout with maleria the feat spawned no arguement. "I knew what he was up to," noted Gunner at the post game press conference. On the next pitch Gator took-off again and this time the Bullies catcher was eager to put a stop to Gators base stealing rampage and fired a bullet down to second. While this was taking place Gunner scampered home for the score. Huzzahs and loud cheers could be heard over the F-16s warming their engines just a few yards away.

And with that a great day was had by all and don't be surprised if next year a new vintage team comes out of Agawam...Huzzah!

"Hit of the Night": Wheelmen on the Pub Tour

On May 8th the Westfield Wheelmen assisted Westfield On Weekends in the annual pub tour of Westfield pubs and needless to say the Wheelmen had a great time and were treated like the stars they are. As one event organizer notes, "You guys, as always, were the hit of the night. I think it safe to say that everyone on the Tour was had by a good time."

Based on the attached photo...I'd say they were right. In the photo Jersey Joe is surrounded by adorning fans at one of the Wheelmen's favorite stops, Santiago's Resturant on Franklin Street.

The Wheelmen to Take on the Agawam Bullies of the 21st Century

Breaking News! The Westfield Wheelmen have announced today that they will take on the Agawam Bullies of the 21st Century Western Massachusetts Wooden Bat Baseball League on June 5th at the 'Shire at 11:00. The game will be played by the rules of 1886 and the Bullies of Agawam will be given the option to use 19th Century equipment or 21st Century equipment. The only person at the Wheelmen offices on Elm Street in Westfield to comment on the new development was the Wheelmen mascot Mr. Wheeler who was too overwhelmed at the attention given to the announcement to comment(see photo).

Pistol & Cap Gun Scouting in Central Florida

In their insatiable need for pitching, Anheiser Van Pilsner sent Pistol & Cap Gun to the swamps of central Florida on a scouting mission. They look to be doing well as they discovered this gentlemen hurling at top speed but not much control. Just our style!