Hartford Dark Blues
The modern Hartford Dark Blues were formed in 1999 by then captain Ken “Sweet Cakes” Weaver. Since that time, the team has continually grown by adding new members and enthusiasts of baseball to its ranks. The gentlemen of the Dark Blues play their home games in South Windsor, CT, approximately 10 miles from the site of the original field. The Dark Blues travels throughout New England and the Northeast to play games by 1860s, 1870s, and 1880s rules.
Currently, the Dark Blues are a member of the 8 team New England Vintage Base Ball League (NEVBBL), which plays by 1861 rules. In addition to the Dark Blues, the league includes the Waterbury Connors, the Coventry Citizens, the Lynn Live Oak, the Bristol Blues, the Essex Base Ball Club, the Melrose Pondfeilders, and the New London Thames Nine. We encourage the vintage game in all forms!
Brief History
Dark Blues Gettin’ Schooled
Pictured above: The Church of the Good Shepherd, with Hartford Dark Blues’ original field in the foreground.
The Hartford Dark Blues were a founding member of the National League and played in the city of Hartford on the Wyllys St. Grounds from 1874-1876 before moving to Brooklyn, NY for their final season, 1877.
Among their many heralded members were:
Arthur "Candy" Cummings, the inventor of the "curved ball.
"Lip" Pike, the first known Jewish major league player.
Bob Ferguson, the first player/manager in baseball.
Morgan Bulkeley, the team’s founder and owner, later first President of the National League, governor of Connecticut, and U.S. Senator.