There are 38 rules that people taking part in the 1870s Vintage Base Ball Game have to abide by.
Among them: No person shall be permitted to approach or speak with the umpire, scorers, or players, and the ball must be pitched, not jerked or thrown to the bat.
There are 15 players taking part in the Vintage Base Ball game at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Richard Howe House and Welch Farmstead. They must abide by the rules that were present during baseball in the 1870s (in 2010, baseball is one word. In 1870, it was two words).
“We’re hoping for a large crowd,” said Nancy Boyce, public education director and event coordinator for the Lyon County Historical Society. “We encourage people to come out.”
Boyce said this year is the first year Emporia has assembled a vintage baseball team. The team has met for practice a few times, and is playing a Wichita team that competes in a few away games each year.
Emporia’s team, the W.A. Whitesocks, will play the Cowtown Nine.
The team consists of coach George Milton and players Larry Adams, Stephen Coleman, Darus Dixon, Jeff Eubank, Ted Hollembeak, Dave Hollond, Kent House, Scott Irwin, Greg Jordon, Floyd Thomas, Eric Huggard and Mark Summey.
The game and other activities on Saturday benefit the Lyon County Historical Society. The funds raised will go into the historical society’s general budget.
Though the baseball game starts at 1 p.m., the events at the Howe House will begin before.
Activities start at 10:30 a.m., and include outside games with Camp Alexander and the Emporia Recreation Commission staff, the Howe House will be open for tours, and at 11 a.m. there will be a group discussion of living in older homes.
Food vendors that will be at the event include Coburn’s Family Restaurant, Tropical Sno, Myra’s Homemade Ice Cream, Nancy’s Lemonade and Girl Scouts will provide caramel apples, caramel corn, popcorn and other treats. The historical society will also be selling event T-shirts.
There is a $2 fee for a button that serves as admission into the game. The activities that start at 10:30 a.m. are free.
The buttons are on sale now at the Lyon County Historical Museum Gift Shop, Granada Coffee Co., Town Crier, Plum Bazaar and High Gear. They can also be purchased at the event on Saturday, Boyce said.
Also, at 11:30 a.m. Saturday there will be a meet, greet and eat with the W.A. Whitesocks and the Cowtown Nine.
For more information about the fundraiser, the historical society can be reached at (620) 341-6310.
Additionally, Boyce said the Howe House, which was built in 1867, is open for tours from 1 to 5 p.m. each Friday and by appointment by calling the historical society at (620) 341-6310.
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
Vintage rules, eh? Are "minorities" allowed to play/attend? Things weren't always better in "the old days". Change happens for a reason. Change is good.
Also, I thought the team was called the "Emporia All-stars" not WAW. Why does everything have to be about that old dude? We're gonna get pwned by Cowtown Nine!
'enry
September 2, 2010 at 8:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
http://cjonline.com/life/2010-08-28/n...
September 2, 2010 at 9:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koro (anonymous) says...
Oh, don't even go there, Henry.
September 2, 2010 at 11:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jamesbordonaro (James Bordonaro) says...
I thank the Gazette for posting this event. As a member of the team, I can assure the public that we will do our very best and the Cowtown Nine can expect a hard fought match! As an added historical note, in addition to the rules mentioned in the article, perhaps the 2 biggest differences between Base Ball then and Baseball now are: 1) there are no gloves for fielders and 2) in addition to catching a fly ball for an out, a player is also out if the ball is caught on the first bounce. A full set of the rules we will be using can be found here http://wiki.vbba.org/index.php/Rules/...
I encourage everyone to come out and bring their family to this unique exhibition!
September 3, 2010 at 3:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Remember, everyone!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t48brs...
September 3, 2010 at 5:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )