In this episode, Captain Drewski of the Delhi Polecats, formerly known as the Delhi Vintage Baseball Club, joins us to discuss the revival of vintage baseball in Delaware County, New York.

Drewski shares the historical significance of a 200-year-old baseball challenge documented in an 1825 edition of the Delaware Gazette, marking the earliest recorded organized game of baseball in the United States. The Hamden 9, as part of the town's bicentennial celebrations, continue the tradition of playing baseball by 1800s rules using period-accurate attire and equipment. For more on Hamden, NY's bicentennial celebration, head over to hamden1825.org.

Tune in to learn more about the history, teams, and events that honor this unique variation of America's pastime; plus, an investigation into the claim that a Catskills paper was the very first to put a baseball game in print!

For even more, check out an episode we produced in 2021 with the M.A.C.'s Collin "Stumpy" Miller during spring practice on Creamery Field in Bovina, NY.

00:00 Introduction to Vintage Baseball in Delaware County

01:00 Meet the Hamden 9: A New Vintage Baseball Team

01:32 The Historical Significance of 1825 in Hamden

02:03 Sponsorship and Support for Vintage Baseball

02:40 Formation and Growth of the Delhi Polecats

06:10 The Unique Charm of Vintage Baseball

06:51 Debating the Origins of Baseball

07:57 The 1825 Baseball Challenge in Hamden

09:12 Celebrating Hamden's Bicentennial

13:24 The Rise of Vintage Baseball in the Catskills

18:22 Upcoming Events and Invitations

19:14 Listener Feedback and Conclusion

This episode explores an overnight camping trip led by Melissa Goodwin, a licensed guide and founder of 'Girl Gotta Hike,' aimed at encouraging women to connect with the outdoors. Olivia Sippel, our production intern, shares her first camping experience in the Catskills, guided by Melissa, also known by her trail name 'Click.' The story delves into how Melissa's passion for hiking evolved, and the creation of her hiking service, with a focus on women and accessibility. The episode highlights their journey, history and insights from the Appalachian Trail, and the impact of outdoor adventures on personal growth.

00:00 Introduction to Public Transit Hiking

00:44 Olivia's First Camping Experience

01:23 Melissa's Trail Name and Appalachian Trail Journey

04:38 Signing In and Exploring the Trail

07:56 Trail Lunch and Devil's Path

10:53 The Birth of Girl Gotta Hike

24:36 Conclusion and Reflections

For stories about trailblazing women of the 19th century, check out Purple Mountain Press's new edition of Breaking Trail: Remarkable Women of the Adirondacks. Enter code KAATSCAST for 25% off + free shipping through 5/31/2025.

Kaatscast spoke with Cornell University researchers about their latest investigations into New York State bobcat population abundance and the discovery of avian influenza (bird flu) in these wild felines.

Featuring Jenny Bloodgood, a wildlife veterinarian, and Haley Turner, a Cornell graduate student, the podcast explores their collaborative efforts to assess bobcat abundance and health using GPS collar tagging and camera trap stations. The discussion highlights various diseases affecting bobcats, including avian influenza, which has been detected in several sampled animals. The conversation also touches on historical challenges faced by bobcats, conservation efforts, and the implications of their findings for wildlife management.

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00:00 Introduction to Bobcat Research

01:41 Meet the Researchers

04:35 Bobcat Population History

05:41 Research Methods and Findings

12:43 Health and Disease in Bobcats

17:09 Impact of Avian Influenza

29:30 Human Influence and Conservation

37:21 Conclusion and Future Research

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Cover photo courtesy of Joshua Twining