Vintage Base Ball National Festival in Gettysburg

Beautiful weather ruled the weekend as thousands of fans and participants flocked to the 8th Annual Gettysburg National 19th Century Base Ball Festival as 22 clubs from 10 states battled in optimal conditions during a great weekend of base ball.

44 games took place over the weekend but more importantly old aquentences were renewed and new friendships formed  as over 300 players came together in Gettysburg.

A huge thank you to all of those clubs who came and played and those who umpired. Of course we couldn’t have such a great event without the help of the town’s businesses and organizations. Our great partners included Gettysburg Eddies, Destination Gettysburg, Steinwehr Ave BID, Quality Inn, Best Western, Regemental Quartermaster, Gettysburg Ghost Tours, Brewery Products, Stockbridge Sewing Works, Prowler Bats, 19thC Base Ball, Hockley O’Donell Insurance and many others.

Of course we have to thank our great friends the Schroeders for use of their great farm.  We also want to thank our friends at Gettysburg Luttle League for their assistance with parking this year and for the last 6 years  thank you all!

The results of the games are published on this site.  If your club wants to participate next year let us know  if you even have the slightest interest.  We book early so let us know.  If you want to sponsor or participate in some way let us know.  See you all next year!

The Gettysburg National 19^th Century Base Ball Festival returns to Adams County for the 8^th year in a row as a record 22 clubs from all over America converge on Gettysburg to play base ball the same way it was played in 1863.  This completely free family oriented festival draws thousands to see what base ball was like when it first started out—before million dollar contracts, televisions—and gloves!

On Saturday night, July 15, the 4^th Annual Base Ball Walk Down Steinwehr Avenue will take place at 8pm.  Instead of the typical ghost walk, come out and hear all about 19^th century base ball at this completely free family friendly walk. The event is sponsored by the Steinwehr Avenue Business Improvement District.

After spending the day at the base ball festival, grab a bite to eat and join us starting at 1 Steinwehr Avenue for a stroll down the avenue where we will make stops along the way to hear about 19^th century equipment and uniforms, rules of the day, and famous teams and players from the 1800s.  The event will wrap up about 45 minutes to an hour later at the Reliance Mine Saloon.  The Walk is led by the captain and president of the Flemington Neshanock, Brad Shaw.  Flemington is one of the 22 clubs participating in the event.  Other participants will be using their knowledge of the game to tell you all about it along the way.  If you’re lucky, you may even get Brad to do his great rendition of Casey at the Bat.

Don’t miss this totally free event and make sure you come on out to the Base Ball Festival this weekend!

The 8th Annual Gettysburg National 19th Century Base Ball Festival returns again to Gettysburg for this great annual Summertime family tradition.  22 clubs from all over America are gearing up their wagons, getting on steam ships and hitting the railroad cars to get to central Pennsylvania where they will competing on Saturday and Sunday by playing other clubs by the same rules and customs of 1863 and using the same style uniforms and equipment of the day.

Bring your lawn chairs, shade tents, blankets and picnic baskets and come out and enjoy this completely free family oriented event!  (Parking is managed by Gettysburg Little League and if you’d like to make a donation they would love it!).

965 Pumping Station Road is the location and it starts at 8:30 on Saturday and 8:00 on Sunday and goes on for most of the day.  On Friday night, July 14th don’t miss the kids clinic starting at 6:00pm at the Municipal Fields at 545 Long Lane followed by the All Clubs Match.  Saturday night at 8pm is the 4th Annual Base Ball Walk Down Steinwehr.  Don’t miss a minute of this great weekend!

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!