Just thought I would share this with you guys....

Downtown1974 · July 14, 2007 7:17AM

I took my girls out to the park today to play wiffle ball. It was a beautiful summer afternoon with sunny skies and the temp. in the mid 80s. We played for about an hour or so and then proceeded to the duck pond to go feed the ducks. While we were on our way, I noticed in one of the baseball fields a game being played. I was about 300 yards away from the field but could see the uniforms and noticed they looked old style. As I got closer I could see it was a vintage baseball league game.
I was so taken by this that we sat and watched them play the whole game. It was like being set back in time to the 1880s. These guys had the nice wool uniforms, unlaced and unwebbed gloves, the old style stove pipe hats. The ump was wearing the old style attire with a derby hat and all. They even talked using the same lingo of the days. They would address the umpire as sir. Instead of hi-5s, they would shake hands to commend a good play. These guys really played like gentlemen, and really did a nice job of showing us how baseball was played back in the old days.
If anyboby knows if there are leagues like this in your area, I strongly advise people to go check out a game.
Watching those guys play like that, with the sun shining, the smell of the pine trees behind the back stop, and listening to them speak, really was an amazing experience.

lawnmowerman · July 14, 2007 7:21AM

Thanks Bob

You painted a good "picture" . It felt like I was there

I forget, what state are you in?

Downtown1974 · July 14, 2007 7:22AM

Matt, I live in western Mass.

lawnmowerman · July 14, 2007 7:28AM

<< <i>Matt, I live in western Mass. >>

I suppose 80 degress there is alot different than 80 down here in Florida with the humidity and all.

If that game were being played here with the guys wearing the wool unis, you would have to answer your kids questions.

"Daddy why is that man laying on the ground grabbing his chest?"

"Do they score more points if they have more guys laying down on the field than the other team?"

Jakt · July 14, 2007 7:55AM

Was it a one time game, or is it a league that lasts a season?

I would imagine that they would have to go through some sort of training to learn how the game was played back then. Either way, it sounds interesting.

What did your kids think of it?

MooseDog · July 14, 2007 8:21AM

Man, I never new such a thing existed. I wonder if I could start one of those teams out here in California?

perkdog · July 14, 2007 9:09AM

Bob, I live 40 minutes north of Boston and every summer they have a Vintage triple header baseball game litterely 1/4 mile down the street from my house I have never been to watch it, but if your interested in a road trip for the next scheduled event (it might be in September) I could PM you details.

lostdart58 · July 14, 2007 9:28AM

.......build it and they will come

zep33 · July 14, 2007 10:44AM

that would be so cool to see

sounds like you stumbled into an episode of the Twilight Zone

HoofHearted · July 14, 2007 11:07AM

downtown,

Thanks for sharing your experience. That's what makes life worth living, ain't it?!

I just did a search and found this website for a Vintage Base Ball Association. It's got lots of info, including schedules.

leadoff4 · July 14, 2007 11:08AM

Lawnmowerman, I was thinking the same thing. I'm in central Fla.(hour north of Orlando) and just the mention of wool makes me sweat this time of year... but Bob thinks for definitely painting a vivid picture. It makes me want to buy more vintage cards. Thanks!

baseballfan · July 14, 2007 11:10AM

i played in a charity game with 1880's rules once, no gloves underhand pitching very cool and would love to it again, but i have no idea how more people don't get hurt, that ball was hard. we bought a special 1880 era ball for the game.
great experience
i would love to see a game played under those rules.

detroitfan2 · July 14, 2007 11:32AM

Bob, awesome story.

There is a place not far from where I live called Greenfield Village. For lack of a better description, it is a place where you can "experience 300 years of history as the sights, sounds and sensations of America’s past come alive" (I stole that from the website).

Anyway, they are holding the World Tournament of Historic Baseball on August 3-5. They also field their own teams, called the "Lah-De-Dahs" and the "Nationals".

Here is a pretty sweet web-site that has a ton of information:

Greenfield Village Historic Baseball

prscott933 · July 14, 2007 12:30PM

i have heard of leagues like this. very very cool. i tried to find one in my area because i would love to be a part of it. no luck finding one... and i don't have the time to build it.

stevek · July 14, 2007 12:33PM

I guess if they curse the strongest word is "gosh" - LOL

Bigstep · July 14, 2007 1:00PM

My son plays for the Providence Grays. This website will give you a schedule for New England area.Providence Grays

Downtown1974 · July 14, 2007 1:36PM

Yeah guys they play a full season from June til October. I did a search on the web for the team I saw, (Westfield Wheelmen) and it has their schedule. I plan on going to more of these games since they are only about 15-20 min. from my home. If you guys get bored, type in westfield wheelmen in your search and check it out. Its pretty cool.

Downtown1974 · July 14, 2007 1:39PM

<< <i>Was it a one time game, or is it a league that lasts a season?

I would imagine that they would have to go through some sort of training to learn how the game was played back then. Either way, it sounds interesting.

What did your kids think of it? >>

Jakt, The kids loved it! I got a chuckle out of one thing my daughter said though. She said to me, "WOW, they are even using wooden bats"

WinPitcher · July 14, 2007 2:00PM

Great story Bob. Ive seen basically the same thing a few times as well.

Steve

gotsparks09 · July 14, 2007 5:58PM

Very cool story, Bob.

On the lighter side...

You Tube link

Boopotts · July 14, 2007 6:05PM

They run a similar gig at Greenfield Village here in Detroit. During the summer they get a group of 18 guys to play a 1875 style baseball game (complete with a live band comprised of horn and string players to play the music). No gloves, pitching is all underhand, the ump issues two 'warnings' before calling balls and strikes, the fair-foul rule is in effect, the whole shot.

They also run an 1870 'Massachusettes Style' B-Ball game, where a couple college kids dress up in 19th century attire and pitch/field for any kids who show up and want to bat. There are five bases, each base is a post (instead of a bag), and you can run them in any order you want. My 3 year old son got into the game and I had to pry him out of there. It's a TON of fun for little kids.

Edit to add: Sorry, Tom, I didn't see that you'd already posted about this.

fandango · July 14, 2007 10:25PM

they play these league games in OLD BETHPAGE REstoration in Nassau County if anyone is interested....

feels like you are in field of dreams watching them....sometimes the BAND comes along, that really sets you back in time...

PasadenaMudSlide · July 14, 2007 11:59PM

Was this in DC?

Saw something on the local news about a bunch of guys that do this each summer.

No gloves. Authentic uniforms. Very true to the pastime.

ctsoxfan · July 15, 2007 2:43AM

Bob, that's a great story - thanks for sharing it!

jvineyard · July 15, 2007 3:51AM

I wonder if I could start one of those teams out here in California?

There is a league in the Bay Area:

Bay Area Vintage Base Ball League

TNTonPMS · July 15, 2007 9:19AM

<< <i>they play these league games in OLD BETHPAGE REstoration in Nassau County if anyone is interested....

feels like you are in field of dreams watching them....sometimes the BAND comes along, that really sets you back in time... >>

(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)

Thanks . . . I'm not that far from there .
That sounds like it could be something interesting to see.

Just thought I would share this with you guys....

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