The 10th Inning...with "Ginger" Kirkpatrick

Cranks and teammates alike know "Ginger" as one of the original Orators - a ballist who plays hard, produces steady results, and is always at the game. Let's not forget, when needed, he is never afraid to break a finger or two or three. He mostly patrols second sack, though he doesn't seem ready to let anyone forget he's had a couple of memorable games as a substitute outfielder. Though he admits to being a stranger in a strange land in "the garden" (a.k.a. outfield), it's a testament to Ging's character -he is willing to do whatever the team needs him to.

Kirkpatrick became an Orator almost by accident. At an open meeting of Newtown Sandy Hooks prior to last season, Ginger met Joe Vigorito. Though Ging was looking into becoming one of the Hooks, Vintage Joe mentioned the possibility of getting a new team going in the Park City...the rest is history. We at Keep it Vintage took the opportunity to chat a bit with the Red-headed Wonder this week and get to know the man behind the myth:

KEEP IT VINTAGE: You hold the Orators game attendance record. What's the secret there, Mr. "Iron Horse?"
GINGER: Do I? God, that's sad. I need to fake an injury or something.

KIV: They call you ginger. Is that because of your hair color or just because you have a little "zing" on the field or something?
G: I liked "Ginger" because of the shout-out to my hair. South Park did a recent episode on bigotry toward "ginger people"; it was a very important South Park. But "ginger" also means playing with hustle or spirit, which I try to do. It was also the most manly name I could think of.

As a point of interest: Ginger Beaumont, a turn of the century centerfielder, got his nickname from his Titian locks, as well. So he and I have two things in common because, as anyone on the team will tell you, I'm a natural centerfielder.

(Does using the word Titian make me gay?)

KIV: Some on the team have a bet going on how old you really are. Some of the more popular votes say 17, 23, 39, and one as high as 81. Care to share the real age or is it ungentlemanly for me to ask that?
G: Who said 81? What's his address?

KIV: You have a special ability to jam or break a finger or fingers on command. I say this is a superhero waiting to happen. Tell me your superhero name and how you got this superhuman ability. Also do you have advice for others on how they can hurt their fingers at any given moment?
G: Heck...fingers? I've had surgery on three of my four limbs. That leaves only my right arm, which - as anyone on the team will tell you - is a cannon.

If I were a superhero - and I'm not saying I'm not - my name would be known only to a select few, such as a trusted female reporter, or a young male ward whom I keep in a cave.

KIV: What made you choose to keep it vintage as opposed to say keep it softballage?
G: I played softball for, like, 10 years - the last few in coed leagues. I missed baseball, and jumped at the chance to play with the Newtown Sandy Hooks, er, I mean, the Bridgeport Orators. It's been a lot of fun, and my teammates are cool. The only thing that coed softball had over Vintage is that there was always the chance of hooking up with someone on your team. With the exception of BenJay, guys on the Park City squad don't fraternize in such a way.

KIV: Anything to add?
G: Okay, you beat it out of me....I am a superhero, and my name is White Lightning.

This is the first in a series of articles called The 10th Inning, where we will profile members of the team and other vintage lads.