Vintage Base Ball Exhibition Saturday at Old Athletic Field in Stillwater

From the Washington County Historical Society:

The St. Croix Base Ball Club will hold a vintage base ball exhibition today (Saturday, July 20) at the Old Athletic Field on the corner of Orleans Street and Sixth Avenue.

This marks the 16th year that the St. Croix Base Ball Club has played an exhibition of vintage base ball, playing by the rules of 1860, in Stillwater. This year nearly 100 vintage base ballists will come to Stillwater and play the game of base ball the way it was meant to be played.

Games begin at 10 a.m.

Among the clubs showing their skills at the game this season will be the reigning vintage base ball champions of Minnesota the Saint Croix Base Ball Club of Stillwater, the Quicksteps, the Rochester Roosters, Arlington Greys, Rum River Rovers, Mankato Baltics and the Afton Red Socks.

The differences of the 1860 game of base ball, spelled at the time as two words, are that the striker [or hitter] is out if the ball is caught on the first bounce; the ball is in play where it hits the ground; there are no gloves for the fielders; no overrunning first base, and the umpire calls only foul balls. The umpire can, if so desired, levy a fine on a player who curses, is “ungentlemanly,” and for sweating too much in front of the gathered crowd.

All matches are free to the public and are encourages to bring their lawn chairs and lunches and stay to watch how base ball was meant to be played. These matches are exhibitions and will last only one hour each.

For more information about the upcoming matches or how to participate on the club visit www.wchsmn.org or call 651-439-5956.

Schedule of Matches:

• 10 a.m. Afton vs. Mankato
• 11 a.m. Rochester vs. Arlington
• Noon Mankato vs. Rum River
• 1 p.m. Saint Croixs vs. Quicksteps
• 2 p.m. Arlington vs. Afton
• 3 p.m. Saint Croixs vs. Rochester
• 4 p.m. Rum River vs. Quicksteps