Contest First and Second Nine W.B.B.C

It was a set up.The photographer set it up.They were all posing.Because of the nature of the camera and its shutter speed, in order to record outdoor activity in the 1850s -1860s photographers had to pose their subjects.  Thus - the batter has his bat at ready - the pitcher has his arm on the backswing - the fielders are crouching in position, while the opponents stand in a line on the sidelines.The photographer, an E.R. Smith, an unlisted practitioner, inscribed his address as the Ionic Block in East Hampton, Massachusetts.  The style of mount for this stereo view indicates a mid-1860s date.  Though difficult to tell, the game they are playing appears to be the New York game, though around central Mass the New England style game was still in vogue at this time.  Written on the bottom of the mount are the words " 'First' and 'Second' Nines W.B.B.C."The players in the photo look young - late teenage, early twenties.  The WBBC would mean they represent a club near East Hampton.  The only towns with names that might work are Westfield or Westhampton.  If it was this team, the discovery would be nice, but in the end it would not matter.  The best thing about this image is to see the workings of an early base ball organization, operating with two nines, and practicing regularly.  It's a nice glimpse into this aspect of baseball history.