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
