Vintage Base Ball at SABR
I just got back from the Wade Park Oval here in Cleveland, where I had a chance to play in the vintage 1860 rules Base Ball game. I’ve got to say, it was a blast. A big thanks goes out to Ed Shuman, of the Canal Fulton Mules, for getting me into the lineup for the game.
And about that game?
First, it’s a pretty different game. The pitcher (or “hurler”) throws underhand to the batter, who stands on a line at home. None of the fielders have gloves, and a batted ball can be caught for an out on one bounce. I played two innings at third, and it’s difficult. You have to remain close to the bag — by rule — and it’s hard to knock down sharp grounders with no glove, especialy when the grass is a bit wet and the ball is slick.
At the plate, you’d think it’s easy to knock a ball a long way when it’s coming in slow and underhand, but the ball is soft and the fielders can catch it on the bounce. My first time up, I slammed a ball out to centerfield, but hit it a little high, and the fielder just snagged it on the bounce.
The second time I came to the plate, I didn’t make that mistake again. I turned on a chest-high offering and crushed it on a line to left-center. I was pretty proud of myself, as I stood on second with an RBI double. Apparently it was a pretty solid knock, because a couple of the guys who play vintage ball in a league told me so — and asked if I wanted to move to Ohio.
I wish there was a vintage team that played in my home state of Nebraska, because I could play this every day of the year. And twice on Sundays.
Wait a minute… after a quick Googling, I’ve discovered that there is, indeed, a vintage Base Ball team that plays reasonably near me, at the Stuhr Museum. I’m going to have to get in contact with the folks that run the team, and find out if they’re looking for an extra player.
June 27th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Ryan,
The Stuhr Museum program in Grand Island is operated by Dale and Sonya Beye, at beyenbeye@aol.com. They’d certainly welcome another player, and they’re wonderful people. Warning: they do not use the 1860 New York rules.
Bob Tholkes, Minneapolis
Quicksteps Vintage BBC
Historian, Vintage Base Ball Assn.
Origins Committee, SABR
19th Century Committee, SABR
June 27th, 2008 at 7:45 am
Ryan,
By the way, Ed Shuman’s club is the Canal Fulton Mules, from Canal Fulton, Ohio.
Also by the way, there is more than one vintage club in Nebraska. Dale and Sonya Beye can fill you in.
The guy on first base in your picture looks like Jim Wyman, now of the Thames River club in Connecticut. Jim captained my club in Minnesota for several years before moving east.
Bob Tholkes
June 27th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
My mistake on the team name for Ed Shuman’s club. I fixed it. I got confused on the FC…
Also, I sent an email off to the Beyes last night, and am looking forward to hearing back from them.
Thanks for the comments.