06/04/2026
This past Sunday the 31st of May, 2026 was an attendance milestone for us Polecats… they say running a vintage base ball team can be akin to running a small business for negative pay — and days like the one we had this past Sunday are why we do it.
On certain game days, as the hour of the first pitch approaches, a captain may look around and wonder if they will even be able to make a full nine without borrowing from the crowd or even the opposing team.
This past Sunday, we nearly had enough players to make two full teams… “a good problem to have” was the refrain heard, and we are pleased to report that all SIXTEEN players who showed up saw playing time. Each and every one of us made base, and each and every one of us made ace (that is to say, everyone scored at least one run).
It was truly a glorious day at Crawford Field, and we were honored to share it for a doubleheader with our brethren in bats, the Mountain Athletic Club of Fleischmann’s, who hadn’t played at our hallowed home grounds in quite some time.
Game 1 saw The M.A.C. out to an early lead, their experienced bats finding the holes in our defense, and their well worn hands clasping our offense with ease. But we nipped at their heels, kept within striking distance, and after a 10 run (or “10 ace”) inning we found ourself ahead 20-15 going into the 7th. Had the game ended there, we would have notched our first win of the season right then, but after a short deliberation captains Stumpy and Drewski agreed the game was too close to not go the full nine. Alas, some well-placed hits by the M.A.C. batters pushed them out to a lead in the 8th, and and even better-timed pickoffs by their pitcher kept us from catching them. When the dust settled in the 9th, the Polecats had failed to catch their opponents from Fleischmann’s.
Game 1 final score:
Mountain Athletic Club - 21
Polecats/Hamden Nine - 20
The second game moved more swiftly - many of those 16 Polecats may have needed the first game to shake off their rust, having not played the game since October past. Or perhaps some mountain players were fatigued, having no deep bench to rely upon as the home team did.
Whatever the reasons, we are pleased to report that we Polecats did earn our first win of the season after all!
Game 2 final score:
P/H9 - 8
MAC - 4
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We’d like to thank each and every ballplayer that came out for either squad as well as every person who came out to support the game. It was truly heartening to see such a crowd in , and we look forward to returning for more home games next season.
An extra special thanks to our arbiter — a former member of the Brooklyn Atlantics, self-described as “Average Joe” though now that he and his family have relocated to Delaware County, he must needs be called “Above-Average Joe” — at least while he’s arbiting (see: “arbitrating” or “umpiring”).
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On the sixth day of the sixth month this year 2026 (ie, this Saturday) The Polecats will make their first foray into The Constitution State (Connecticut) for a round robin tripleheader with The Grays all the way from Providence, RI and The Red Onion who will host us both in their hometown of Wethersfield. The spirit of base ball does indeed run deep here in Delaware County, and all over the land — but especially in New York and New England!
(6/6/26 - Polecat games to begin at 1p and 3p)
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Our next home/local game will be against Saugerties Vintage Base Ball Club at the Meredith Dairy Fest on Saturday, June 13.
The Brickmakers last visited us at the Hamden NY Bicentennial 2025. We hear they’ve done some tuning up this off-season, and we are excited to face off against them in front of the Dairy Fest crowd.
Admission is free. All are welcome.
We hope to see you there!
