Author Archives: Mid Atlantic Vintage Base Ball

We want to thank everyone who made sure that the first Annual Gettysburg 19th Century Base Ball Tournament was a huge success.  Hundreds of people came out to witness what America’s Pastime was like in its infancy.  The organizers could not have imagined the cooperation it received from the clubs, the sponsors, the re-enactors, the fans and the whole town of Gettysburg.  Many thanks to those who braved the heat to see some great base ball over the course of 2 days. 

Fans were treated each game to either President Lincoln, General Grant or General Lee throwing out the first ball.  At times they were treated to Casey at the Bat by Brad Shaw.  Next the fans were treated to how base ball looked in the mid 1860s at its purest form.  Some highly spirited matches made for great entertainment for those in attendance.

A big “Huzzah” goes out to the Talbot Fair Plays who won the first championship.  They defeated Elkton 14-9 to take home the gold ball.  Both clubs got to the championship match by running the table in its round robin play with perfect 3-0 records.  Somerset took 3rd place with a 10-7 victory over Pittsburgh.  For the full results go to the “results” tab on this site.

We want to thank the following for the huge success:  First the clubs: the Flemington Neshanock, the Talbot Fair Plays, the Pittsburgh Franklins, the Delaware Diamond States, the Somerset Frosty Sons of Thunder and the Elkton Eclipse.  Our re-enactors: President Lincoln, General Lee and General Grant.  Our Gold Sponsors: Gettysburg Convention and Tourism Bureau, Hickory Hollow Farm and Gettysburg Eddies.  Our other sponsors: The Gettysburg Foundation, 19th Century Base Ball, and the Union Drummer Boy.  The town of Gettysburg and all of its citizens and mostly a big thanks to all the fans and spectators who witnessed a great event.

We’ll see you the 3rd weekend of July 2011 for the 2nd Annual Gettysburg 19th Century Base Ball Tournament with even more clubs and more off the field fun.  For more information or to get on our email list, contact us at elktonbase_ball@yahoo.com.  Thanks again!

This weekend, Gettysburg will witness base ball the same way it did in 1864.  6 clubs are gearing up to come to town to show the public how the great American Pastime got started.  These clubs will be playing base ball the same way it was played in the mid 1860s using the same style uniforms and equipment and playing by the same rules and using the same customs and language as was used during the end of the Civil War.

Starting at 10am, 2 matches will start as President Lincoln, General Grant and General Lee will be on hand to throw out first balls during the day.  Matches are in 2 blocks on Saturday starting at 10am, Noon, and 2pm.  Sunday there is one more round of regular match play at 10:30 and then at 12:30 are the championship rounds. 

Fans who come out will not only see the games, they can also see Lincoln, Grant and Lee as well as hear stiring renditions of Casey at the Bat and much more.  There will be people all over to help you understand the rules and customs and to let you see what a 19th century bat and ball looked like.

The whole tournament takes place at Hickory Hollow Farms just a couple of miles west of the center of town off of Route 30 west on Crooked Creek Rd.  Free admission and free parking.  Concessions by Gettysburg Eddies so bring a picnic basket or enjoy a great lunch by Gettysburg Eddies.  Stop by Gettysburg Eddies on Friday and/or Saturday night and meet the ball players and hear all about this soon to be great tradition in Gettysburg!

Welcome to the official site of the 1st Annual Gettysburg 19th Century Base Ball Tournament. On July 17 and 18, 2010, 6 clubs will compete for the 1st Championship.  The Tournament will take place at Hickory Hollow Farm which is less than 3 miles from the center of Gettysburg going west on Lincoln Highway (Route 30).

Matches will start at 10:00am, Noon, and 2:00pm on Saturday and 10:00am and Noon on Sunday.  Keep an eye on this website for the full schedule.  When you come to the event, you will see base ball (two words) played the same way it was played in 1864 with the same style equipment and uniforms and clubs playing by the same rules and customs as was used at the end of the Civil War.  In the Union Division the featured clubs are the Pittsburgh Franklins BBC, the Somerset (Pa) Frosty Sons of Thunder and the Flemington (NJ) Neshanock.  The Confederate Division features the Eclipse Base Ball Club of Elkton (MD), the Talbot Fair Plays (MD) and the Diamond State BBC of Delaware.  Each Confederate club plays each Union club.  The two clubs with the best record will play for the championship regardless of division.