Around 70 fans gather to see history on July 11. The sandlot league that began six years ago on a whim achieved a goal that Veto League Commissioner, Matt Veto, set for the league two years ago.
“Playing baseball is not something you grow out of, and shouldn't have to," Veto said in a pregame speech at the Richmond Hill Sports Complex. "The spirit of this league, [Veto League Baseball], is to instill the love of baseball in people that might not be the greatest at fielding a grounder, or hitting a baseball, but still love the game and want to play." Veto finished his speech saying, "Let's play ball," as fellow VLB member Jacob VandeMoortel shed the light of eight 100 foot light posts on the field. Veto's goal was complete. The VLB would play in its first ever night game.
The game would feature the original, classic match-up between Matt Veto's Meteors and Lance McCafferty's King Cobras. The Meteors took a 13-11 victory, but that was hardly the most important factor of the game. Instead the game centered on the privilege of 24 players playing the game they love under the lights, some for the first time in their lives.
The prestige of the night contest even brought VLBer Scott Boruff to the ballpark for a long distance appearance. Boruff drove in from Chicago a day before he started his new job in the Windy City.
Before the game began, starting lineups were read by the PA announcer. Each player galloped out to the first and third baselines to the tune of cheering from on looking family and friends, most of whom stayed the entire game.
Throughout the game, each fan hoped they were lucky enough win prizes with their raffle ticket they acquired at the gate.
One lucky fan sporting her Veto League T-shirt, Kathi Goetz, was the winner of a $5 gift certificate to Whitey's Ice Cream.
“This is the greatest thing to happen to me all day,” Goetz said.
Among other firsts for the VLB was an umpire. Brian Nichols called close plays at the bases. One such close play involved Veto sliding into third under a tag from Cobra third basemen Jason Jones. Nichols called Veto "safe," which was later identified to be the correct call. The first Veto League videographer Amy Hoover, who graciously donated her time to tape the game, put the play in slow-motion the next day at St. Ambrose University's TV-11.
However, underneath all the bells and whistles of technology, the cheer of the fans and the electric hum of the lights, the same old joy of Veto League Baseball that exists each day on the baseball field resonated through the night. At that point in time, VLB ballplayers knew they were participating in America's favorite pastime.
That was awesome," VLB fan Ann VandeMoortel said after the night game. "Don't tell me that we have to wait a full year for something like this again. Let’s do this again next week.”
It was this sentiment that seemed to hang softly over the field after the final switch was thrown down, extinguishing the light over Richmond Hill. After such convincing success, Veto League Baseball is looking into possibilities for turning on the lights once again this season. The VLB additionally wanted to thank Keith Kennett of Geneseo for arranging the game to be played at Richmond Hill. His constant support of sports and the dreams of individuals is greatly appreciated.
“Playing baseball is not something you grow out of, and shouldn't have to," Veto said in a pregame speech at the Richmond Hill Sports Complex. "The spirit of this league, [Veto League Baseball], is to instill the love of baseball in people that might not be the greatest at fielding a grounder, or hitting a baseball, but still love the game and want to play." Veto finished his speech saying, "Let's play ball," as fellow VLB member Jacob VandeMoortel shed the light of eight 100 foot light posts on the field. Veto's goal was complete. The VLB would play in its first ever night game.
The game would feature the original, classic match-up between Matt Veto's Meteors and Lance McCafferty's King Cobras. The Meteors took a 13-11 victory, but that was hardly the most important factor of the game. Instead the game centered on the privilege of 24 players playing the game they love under the lights, some for the first time in their lives.
The prestige of the night contest even brought VLBer Scott Boruff to the ballpark for a long distance appearance. Boruff drove in from Chicago a day before he started his new job in the Windy City.
Before the game began, starting lineups were read by the PA announcer. Each player galloped out to the first and third baselines to the tune of cheering from on looking family and friends, most of whom stayed the entire game.
Throughout the game, each fan hoped they were lucky enough win prizes with their raffle ticket they acquired at the gate.
One lucky fan sporting her Veto League T-shirt, Kathi Goetz, was the winner of a $5 gift certificate to Whitey's Ice Cream.
“This is the greatest thing to happen to me all day,” Goetz said.
Among other firsts for the VLB was an umpire. Brian Nichols called close plays at the bases. One such close play involved Veto sliding into third under a tag from Cobra third basemen Jason Jones. Nichols called Veto "safe," which was later identified to be the correct call. The first Veto League videographer Amy Hoover, who graciously donated her time to tape the game, put the play in slow-motion the next day at St. Ambrose University's TV-11.
However, underneath all the bells and whistles of technology, the cheer of the fans and the electric hum of the lights, the same old joy of Veto League Baseball that exists each day on the baseball field resonated through the night. At that point in time, VLB ballplayers knew they were participating in America's favorite pastime.
That was awesome," VLB fan Ann VandeMoortel said after the night game. "Don't tell me that we have to wait a full year for something like this again. Let’s do this again next week.”
It was this sentiment that seemed to hang softly over the field after the final switch was thrown down, extinguishing the light over Richmond Hill. After such convincing success, Veto League Baseball is looking into possibilities for turning on the lights once again this season. The VLB additionally wanted to thank Keith Kennett of Geneseo for arranging the game to be played at Richmond Hill. His constant support of sports and the dreams of individuals is greatly appreciated.
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