The April 8, 1863 American Standard (of Jersey City) reported New Jerseyans didn't stop playing baseball. They simply took it with them into the Civil War. On April 2 - 154 years ago today, the "season" opened in Virginia:
April 2, 1863
21st New Jersey Regiment Left Wing – 15
21st New Jersey Regiment Right Wing – 12
played at White Oak Church,VA
Umpire: Lieut. T. Wandle, Co. B Right Wing
Scorers: J.A. Van Gelder, Co. C. for Right Wing and Corporal D. Taylor, Co. A. for Left Wing
21st Left Wing Line-Up:
J.B. Farrier (C), 3 runs scored; J.B. Christie (P), 1; G.B. Fielder (1B), 2; J. Curtis (2B), 1; P. Wagner (3B), 1; C. Tilden (SS), 2; E. McWilliams (RF), 1; F. Dockney (LF), 3; F. Cook (CF), 1
21st Right Wing Line-Up: P. Newkirk (C), 1 run scored; J. Ward (P), 2; Wynkoop (2B), 2; Higby
(1B), 2; Gibbs (3B), 1; Waters (SS), 2; Harrison (LF), 2; Dumont (RF), 0; Demott (CF), 0
“Ball Playing in the Twenty-First Regiment. – A base ball match was played between the right and left wings of the twenty-first New Jersey regiment near White Oak Church, Va., on the 2d inst…”
April 2, 1863
21st New Jersey Regiment Left Wing – 15
21st New Jersey Regiment Right Wing – 12
played at White Oak Church,VA
Umpire: Lieut. T. Wandle, Co. B Right Wing
Scorers: J.A. Van Gelder, Co. C. for Right Wing and Corporal D. Taylor, Co. A. for Left Wing
21st Left Wing Line-Up:
J.B. Farrier (C), 3 runs scored; J.B. Christie (P), 1; G.B. Fielder (1B), 2; J. Curtis (2B), 1; P. Wagner (3B), 1; C. Tilden (SS), 2; E. McWilliams (RF), 1; F. Dockney (LF), 3; F. Cook (CF), 1
21st Right Wing Line-Up: P. Newkirk (C), 1 run scored; J. Ward (P), 2; Wynkoop (2B), 2; Higby
(1B), 2; Gibbs (3B), 1; Waters (SS), 2; Harrison (LF), 2; Dumont (RF), 0; Demott (CF), 0
“Ball Playing in the Twenty-First Regiment. – A base ball match was played between the right and left wings of the twenty-first New Jersey regiment near White Oak Church, Va., on the 2d inst…”