help with identification - c1875-76 Hartford Dark Blues

[h2oya311]

I picked up this Glass Lantern Slide about a month ago, which apparently features members of the Hartford Dark Blues c1875-76. Any chance that Candy Cummings and/or Morgan Bulkeley decided to grace their presence on my new item?

The far left guy with a top-hat bears a resemblance to Bulkeley, but it might be hard to definitively identify these folks, given the small size and resolution of the photo. I think Bob "Death to Flying Things" Ferguson is in this image (one of the guys with a big/thick 'stache), but again, this is based on my very crude skills.

Any help from the id experts on this board would be much appreciated.

[GaryPassamonte]

At first glance, it doesn't appear to be the Hartfords.
What is the third player from the left hugging?

[barrysloate]

Why does this apparently picture members of the Hartford Blues? What is the basis for this i.d.? Also, it's a little blurry, and tough to make out the faces.

[h2oya311]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Why does this apparently picture members of the Hartford Blues? What is the basis for this i.d.? Also, it's a little blurry, and tough to make out the faces.

The basis of the id, although not the most sound of arguments, is that the members are in front of the United States Hotel in Hartford, CT, which housed many of the Hartford ball players during that time. Perhaps, instead, it is a visiting team.

Thanks for your help/interest.

[barrysloate]

It's better to try and do facial recognition, rather than just assume since they are in front of the hotel it must be the Blues. If you could provide a clearer scan (may not be able to) I will see if any of the faces look familiar. I do think it's a beautiful image, regardless of who they are.

[h2oya311]

I wish I could provide a better scan, but it may not be in the cards. I'll see if I can get a better scan on this site. I appreciate your help so far.

[GaryPassamonte]

I've been trying to match the faces with other images, but haven't come up with anything yet.

[Dto7]

Originally Posted by GaryPassamonte

At first glance, it doesn't appear to be the Hartfords.
What is the third player from the left hugging?

A team bat bag.

[nolemmings]

Yale University Base Ball Team?

[Dto7]

Originally Posted by nolemmings

Yale University Base Ball Team?

Only photo of a late 1880s bat bag I could find.

[nolemmings]

Ah, I see. I thought that was an incredible enhancement of the subject photo, and wondered how you go about doing that.