Vintage Base Ball National Festival in Gettysburg

In just a couple of months, hundreds of 19th century base ball players will be converging on Gettysburg for the country’s largest base ball event, the Gettysburg National 19th Century Base Ball Festival.  Clubs from New England to Massachusetts and as far south as our Nation’s Capital will be competing in the 2 day event on July 14-16, 2017.

If you’re a fan, look for the schedule to come out next week featuring 44 games over 2 days at 965 Pumping Station Road in Gettysburg just minutes from the Day 2 Battlefields and Peach Orchard.  You’ll see how base ball was played in 1863 using the same style equipment and uniforms and playing by the same rules and customs of the day.

If you’re a 19th century civilian sutler and you want to participate in the event, we have a free space for you!  If you’re a vendor of another sort, contact us at info@GettysburgBaseBallFestival.com.  If you have an idea that you think our fans would love, contact us.

If you are a business or organization that wants to partner with this family oriented festival which is one of the biggest in Gettysburg we’d love to talk to you.  There are opportunities which include field naming rights, full page ads in our program, sponsor of different sub events, even baseball card backs and you can even customize your package. Sponsors get their name on our website that tens of thousands see each year, their name in publicity, and so much more!  Contact us for details.

Whatever your fancy, you’ll have a great time partnering with the festival or coming out to see what a sporting event looked like in Adams County in 1863!  See you there!

The Gettysburg National 19th Century Base Ball Festival has announced the largest amount of participants in its festival’s 8 year history.  In 2017, 22 clubs from all over America will converge on Gettysburg from July 14th to the 16th.

Festivities start in town Friday night, July 14th starting at 7pm at the Gettysburg Little League Municipal fields where a kids clinic will be held to show kids 17 and under what it was like to play base ball in the 19th century and they will get a chance to throw, catch and hit just like kids did in the 1800s.  After the clinic, an All Clubs Match will take place until dark featuring many of the players who will be playing all weekend.  Adults can try their hand at the game after the 3rd inning.  On Saturday, 24 clubs from New England to Michigan will be on the field playing the same way base ball was played in 1863 in Adams County.  The festival is located just minutes from the day 2 battlefields at 965 Pumping Station Road, Gettysburg.

Clubs playing on Saturday include the first club from Gettysburg.  Others include the Allegheny Iron Sides,the Adison Mountain Stars, the Philadelphia Athletics, the Kennett Square Mohicans and the Brandywine BBC of West Chester as well as the Harrisburg Keystones all from Pennsylvania. From New Jersey the Flemington Neshanock will be there along with the Delaware representative, the Lewes Base Ball Club.  From the great state of Michigan the Bay City Independents, the La De Dahs, the Chelsea Monitors and the Walker Tavern Wheels will be in attendance.  From New York, the New York Mutuals and the Brooklyn Eckfords will be there as well as the Mudville Nine from Massachusetts and the Providence Grays from Rhode Island. The Nation’s capital is represented by the Capitol Stars BBC of Washington DC;   The Belle River BBC of Rising Sun, Indiana will also be competing.  Finally, the host Elkton Eclipse as well as the Rising Sun Base Ball Club and the Talbot Fair Plays will be there from the state of Maryland.

Historic base ball vendors will be there selling their vintage replica balls, bats, uniforms, caps and more.  Food vendors will be there as well.  In addition, stay tuned to our site for more family fun that we will announce as well. Don’t forget about the 4th Annual Base Ball Walk down Steinwehr Avenue on Saturday night as well.  Tickets for the festival are free.  The Gettysburg Little League does accept donations for parking.  Its a family oriented festival with lots to do for everyone.  If you are interested in partnering with the festival, being a sponsor, or are looking for any other information, just email us at info@GettysburgBaseBallFestival.com.  See you at the fields!

It was a great weekend for 19th Century Base Ball as 18 clubs took the field in the heat as thousands looked on on July 16 and 17.  The weekend started on Friday night with the First All Clubs Match and Kids Clinic.  40 kids pared up with 20 players to learn how to catch bare handed and get a chance to hit with a wood bat, and “outplay” our 20 veteran players!  Next 3 innings of 1863 were demonstrated at the Little League fields in town.  After townspeople got a hang of the idea, they were invited to try their hand for a couple of innings.

On Saturday, General Grant came to Gettysburg not in a war capacity, but to throw out the first ball.  Also onsite was Eddie Plank III, “Gettysburg” Eddie’s grandson.  Great matches took place through out the weekend from clubs from all over the United States.  It was a great weekend of games and a great chance for the participants to catch up on old friendships and start some new ones.

We can hardly wait for the 8th Gettysburg National 19th Century Base Ball Festival which will take place July 15-16, 2017.  Stay tuned to this website for updates throughout the year.  We will be announcing the first group of clubs will be coming to that event shortly.  If your club is interested in participating, contact us quickly!!!

The 7th Annual Festival is about to get started and you don’t want to miss it!  Great Summertime weather is expected as 18 clubs from all over America have started their journey to Gettysburg and will be in town all weekend.

The fun starts Friday night at the Gettysburg Recreation Fields at 7:00pm (545 Long Lane) where the Gettysburg All Clubs Match will take place after a kids clinic.  Players who will be in town will compete in an exhibition match on Field #3.  After the 4th inning, adults can take a stab at 19th century base ball by playing an inning or two.  There were no lights in 1863 so we will play until it gets dark!

The real action starts Saturday morning at 9am at The Schroeder Family Farm (965 Pumping Station Rd) just minutes from the day 2 battlefields and the Peach Orchard.  18 clubs will be playing 36 games over 2 days on 5 fields.  See what base ball was like in 1863.  Bring your picnic basket, your blankets, chairs and shade tents!  Get your picture taken in a 19th century uniform by Victorian Photography.  See our vendors who will have bats, balls, caps and other items available.  Bring your own food and non alcoholic drinks or purchase some great ballpark fare from our food vendors.

Saturday night the fun doesn’t stop as the 3rd Annual Base Ball Walk Down Steinwehr Avenue will take place at 8pm.  The walk starts at the corner of Steinwehr and Baltimore and will stop at 3-4 locations along the Avenue where fans can hear all kinds of stories about baseball in the 19th century.

Sunday morning the action continues on the field with more games starting at 8:30am and running until about 3.  Don’t miss the chance to see what base ball was like in its infancy…before million dollar contracts, televisions,…and gloves!!!

In less than 1 month, 18 clubs from all over America will be converging on Gettysburg for the 7th Annual Gettysburg National 19th Century Base Ball Festival.  Make your plans now for the best vintage base ball event in the USA on the third weekend of July.

The Festival kicks off at 7:00pm on Friday night July 15th with a kids clinic followed by the first ever All Clubs Match featuring many of the players who will be competing in the festival on Saturday and Sunday.  The event takes place at the Gettysburg Municpal Fields in town.  If you are over 18, try your hand at the game after the 4th inning and see if you can play the same way they played in 1863!  If you are under 18, you can still try your hand by participating in a kids clinic that shows you how to catch bare handed and hit with an old fashioned wood bat!

Saturday the Festival starts with 18 games at the Schroeder Family Farm just minutes from the day 2 battlefields and the Peach Orchard at 965 Pumping Station Road.  Bring your blankets, chairs, and even shade tents and see 18 clubs play base ball the same way it was played in 1863.  Great family fun for everyone.  You can even get your picture taken old style in one of our uniforms by Victorian Photography.

Saturday is the 3rd Annual Gettysburg Base Ball Walk down Steinwehr Avenue.  Sponsored by the Steinwehr Avenue Business Improvement District, come out and stroll down the Avenue and listen to stories about 19th century equipment, uniforms, teams and famous players.  This event is free and starts at 8:00pm.

Sunday, the Festival concludes with another 18 games of 19th century base ball.  Make sure you ask the players in between games or innings what is going on.  They are happy to talk!  Enjoy some great food and drinks too while you are here or bring your own in.  The entire event is free to the public.  You can make a donation to the Gettysburg Little League when they help you park and if you wish to give something to the festival, there will be boxes scattered throughout the grounds.

Of course this whole event would not be possible without our generous sponsors.  Make sure you visit these great companies:  Gettysburg Eddies Restaurant, Destination Gettysburg, the Steinwehr Avenue BID, The Regimental Quartermaster, Hockley & O’Donnell Insurance Agency, The Seminary Ridge Musuem, The Shriver House Museum, Gettysburg Battlefield Bus Tours and many more!

We look forward to seeing  you and your family out at the ball grounds!