Manchester Handlers vintage baseball team practices & games scheduled

Manchester Handlers practicing in Carr Park. Photo courtesy of Joseph Christensen.

In case you haven't heard, Manchester now has its own vintage baseball team and they are still looking for players! The Manchester Handlers Vintage Baseball Team is practicing weekly in preparation for two games the team has scheduled for this summer. On July 7, the team will be holding its “Opening Day” Scrimmage at 7 pm in Carr Park. Also, on August 5, the Manchester team will be playing the Chelsea Monitors club in the Western Washtenaw World Series game as part of the Manchester Sesquicentennial Celebration.

Manchester Vintage Baseball Commissioner, Joe Christensen stated, "The team has selected Darren Hock as the coach and he is ably assisted by his son Brandon and also John Beuerle. Both John and Brandon played on the Manchester High School baseball team. The Manchester Old-Time baseball team has members that range in age from 19 to 60. Everyone gets to play and all are having a great time." Practices take place on Wednesday evenings at 7 pm in Carr Park. "Carr Park has a nice layout for a Vintage Baseball program. It has beautiful trees and a challenging, interesting field layout," Christensen explained.

The Manchester Handlers recently participated in a scrimmage with the Chelsea and Dexter teams. It was an opportunity for Manchester team members to get some playing time with more experienced players. The team has scheduled its first game as a club to be held at 7 pm on July 7th in Carr Park. Christensen strongly encourages anyone interested in checking out the team, either to participate or as a spectator, to come out for the game. The game will be a scrimmage among team members and community participants who would like to play a little Old-Time Baseball so they can learn more about the sport. As a part of the Manchester Sesquicentennial Celebration the Manchester Handlers Club will take on the Monitors Baseball Club of Chelsea, in the Western Washtenaw World Series. This game will take place at 3 pm August 5 in Kirk Park.

"We are looking for players to participate in the game in August and also in other scrimmages and games that are being scheduled for this summer. You don’t need to be an experienced baseball or softball player to participate," Christensen stated. Both men and women are invited to join. Just come to one of the Wednesday evening practices or email Joe Christensen at  jvchristensen@gmail.com.

John Beuerle. Photo courtesy of Joseph Christensen.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.