Bridgeport Orators
Encyclopedia
The Bridgeport Orators were a minor league baseball
team in the now defunct Connecticut League
from 1902 to 1914. They were nicknamed the Orators to coincide with the nickname of the team's owner and manager, Baseball
hall of famer Jim "The Orator" O'Rourke. In 1904, the team won a league record 71 games and went on to win the championship. Their home games were played at Newfield Park
which was located on Newfield Ave.
In 2007 the Orators were recreated as a vintage baseball club, playing their home games at Seaside Park
in Bridgeport, Connecticut
.
The Bridgeport VBBC competes against other teams throughout the Northeast in various tournaments, exhibitions and scrimmages, following the rules and customs of the game as it was played in the nineteenth century. Special care and attention has been and will continue to be put forth toward authenticity and good sportsmanship.
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team in the now defunct Connecticut League
Connecticut League
The Connecticut League, also known as the Connecticut State League is a now defunct minor baseball league based in Connecticut. The league began as off-shoot of the original Connecticut State League in 1902 as a Class D league with teams in eight cities...
from 1902 to 1914. They were nicknamed the Orators to coincide with the nickname of the team's owner and manager, Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
hall of famer Jim "The Orator" O'Rourke. In 1904, the team won a league record 71 games and went on to win the championship. Their home games were played at Newfield Park
Newfield Park
Newfield Park is an outdoor park located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It is located in the East end of the city at 698 Seaview Avenue.The historic park has had various notable events over the years.-Baseball:...
which was located on Newfield Ave.
In 2007 the Orators were recreated as a vintage baseball club, playing their home games at Seaside Park
Seaside Park (Connecticut)
Seaside Park, located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is a long crescent-shaped park bordering Bridgeport Harbor, Long Island Sound, and Black Rock Harbor. The park lies partly within Bridgeport's South End neighborhood.-History:...
in Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in Fairfield County, the city had an estimated population of 144,229 at the 2010 United States Census and is the core of the Greater Bridgeport area...
.
Vintage Base Ball Club
The recreated Bridgeport Orators are a not-for-profit organization formed to preserve and compete in the national pastime as it was played during its formative years in the "Park City". The recreated Orators work with the city of Bridgeport and surrounding communities to educate the public regarding the character, history and growth of the game with attention to the historical context in which it was played.The Bridgeport VBBC competes against other teams throughout the Northeast in various tournaments, exhibitions and scrimmages, following the rules and customs of the game as it was played in the nineteenth century. Special care and attention has been and will continue to be put forth toward authenticity and good sportsmanship.