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!

Wheelmen Owner Issues Stern Warning To Players

At a press conference today at the downtown Wheelmen offices on Elm Street, Westfield Wheelmen Owner Anheiser Van Pilsner issued a strong warning to players who report to winter camp next month not in relitively decent shape. "It's no secret that the boys are well known to over-indulge in fine food and gaiety...in fact its legendary and with the holiday season here I am very concerned," noted Van Pilsner. "That being the case I have issued the following requirements ALL players much achieve when reporting to winter camp. Each player must be able to do 10 push-up, 10 sit-ups and 10 deep knee bends." Van Pilsner closed the press conference noting that Christmas bonus checks will be mailed Monday.

Wheelmen Seek Out Original Vintage Hurler

The above image is from the first SI in 1954 and the caption says John "Scissors" McIlvaine, age 71, pitched successfully in a sandlot game. The 71 year old had pitched in 800 games since 1899. "In our ever growing desire to be as close as possible to representing the game from the 19th Century, we are searching for 'Scissors' and hope he can pitch a game or two for us in 2010," said Westfield Wheelmen owner Anheiser Van Pilsner, "he will be a true link to the past...something we desperately need. 'Hitman' Hewins is close but I think this would be the real deal." Unfortunately, "Scissors" would be 127 by now...slightly older than "Hitman" or "Hitmin"...depending on how you pronounce it.

19th CENTURY UMPIRE FOUND ALIVE & ANGRY!

***BREAKING NEWS***
Dateline Egypt- In an amazing discovery, Westfield Wheelmen owner Anheiser Van Pilsner, on his yearly Thanksgiving pilgrimage to Egypt, has, with the help of his guide discovered alive and very angry the 19th Century umpire thought left for dead back in 1889. In 1889 Albert Spalding organized a world tour of some of the best base ball players and went to, of all places, Egypt in order to promote the game. In the middle of the 4th inning a horiffic sand storm just came out of nowhere and caused a cancelation of the game. Unfortunately the Honorable Vincent Kleese was thought to have been swept away and never returned to America. According to Van Pilsner, Kleese was very well preserved, almost mumified. "The first words out of his mouth was 'they kept calling me four eyes!...I want to get them back'" said Van Pilsner. Van Pilsner went on to say, "I have offered him a position umpring our games at the 'Shire...he will certainly be an attraction...just the thing we need."

Wheelmen Announce Far East Tour for April 2010

In a press conference today at the Wheelmen offices on Elm Street in downtown Westfield it was announced that for the entire month of April the Wheelmen will be in Japan for their spring training and will play a series of games against Japanese power house vintage teams Rodans, Mothras, Gigans and others. "Its hard to believe but we have a tremendous following in Japan," noted Wheelmen captain Gunner,"Its like we're Cheap Trick." Dates and details to follow.

The Wheelmen are also in the process of developing their 2010 regular season schedule. If any non-vintage club is interested in a challenge match, send an email to Captain Gunner to arrange..."I don't think any over-30 teams out there are man enough to get out of their comfort zone and try," blurted out Gunner.

Terry's 1st No-Hitter in The Philadelphia Record

This box score and brief recap of Adonis Terry's 1st no-hitter in 1886 and appeared in The Philadelphia Record and had recently appeared on eBay. As you will read there was no mention of the "no-hitter" as the term was not used until the late 1930s to 1940's.