The Alert Fire Hose Company Caps Inaugural Season With Championship
The Alert Fire Hose Company capped its inaugural season in the Coltsville Vintage Base Ball League (CVBBL) by capturing the 2011 championship. An air of gentlemanly sportsmanship permeated the atmosphere as the Alerts played Barnie’s Blue Boys in a spirited match on October 15, 2011. It was base ball at its best and a perfect example of what this league represents.
The Alert Fire Hose Company are:
- Bill “Firehouse” Abbott, Captain
- Billy “Sniper” Abbott
- Matt “Guns” Abbott
- Lauren “Bullet” Gagnon
- Tom “Halfway” Hare
- Steve “Ragweed” Karavolis
- Donald Laperle
- Bobby “One Shoe” Ratzenberger
- Roger “Molasses” Ratzenberger
- John “Hammer” Saitta
- Greg “Sarge” Sargis
- Scott “Pig Pen” Sheahen
- Brianna “Bumper” Sullivan
- Andy “Porter” Venturo
- James “Crazy Legs” Wigren
The CVBBL teams play base ball by 1860s rules in games that are held at the Hartford Base Ball Grounds at Colt Meadows in Hartford, CT. A doubleheader is played each weekend during the season with the 1st game played by 1861 Rules and the 2nd by 1865 Rules. For base ball lovers this league provides a great way to not only learn more about the history of our National Pastime but have fun living it as well.
This season was more fun than I could have imagined when I attended a match last year and decided to give it a try. We came a long way over the course of the season and I am proud to be a member of the team and the league and look forward to helping the Alerts defend our title next season. Hip Hip Huzzah!
The Friends of Vintage Base Ball promotes living history by bringing the 19th century to life through Civil War era base ball providing cultural enrichment and education programs and activities to youth and adults. As a 501(c)3 corporation, FoVBB relies upon grants, sponsorships and donations to fund its programs and activities.
The Alert Fire Company (a short game video)
A video tribute to the Alert Fire Hose Company’s Inaugural season.