1850s-Era Baseball Is Back This Spring In Middlesex County

PISCATAWAY, NJ — Think you know everything when it comes to baseball? Have you ever seen a game played the way it was in the 1850s? The Liberty Base Ball Club is back for another season with reproduction uniforms, equipment and rules that date back to the origins of our national pastime.

Home games are played at Liberty Grounds Base Ball Field at East Jersey Old Town Village, located at 1050 River Rd., Piscataway. Admission to all games is free. Spectators should bring their own lawn chairs or blankets for seating.

The original Liberty Base Ball Club of New Brunswick was organized in 1857 and was part of the National Association of Base Ball Players, America’s first national baseball organization. The team disbanded during the Civil War, but reorganized after the war ended and continued to play until 1870. In 2018 the Liberty BBC was reborn and posted an inaugural record of 18 wins and 13 losses with an impressive 12 wins and 4 losses against other clubs from New Jersey.

“These games are fun for the whole family and are a tribute to the County’s 160 years of baseball history,” said Freeholder Kenneth Armwood, chair of the County's Business Development and Education Committee. “If you’re interested in sports or local history, join us and take a trip back to the past.”

“It’s great to see the Liberty Base Ball Club back for another season,” said Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios. “Grab a blanket or a chair and enjoy some authentic American baseball! You can make a day of it and also explore historic East Jersey Old Town Village.”

The 2019 schedule is as follows (All dates are doubleheaders unless noted):

Saturday, Apr. 6 at 12 p.m. Season Opening Weekend

Elizabeth Resolutes vs. Liberty BBC (Single game)

Saturday, Apr. 13 at 11 a.m. (Away Game)

Liberty BBC vs. Athletic Base Ball Club of Philadelphia at Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA

Saturday, Apr. 20 at 12 p.m.

Atlantic Base Ball Club of Brooklyn vs. Liberty BBC

Saturday, May 4 at 11 a.m. (Away Game)

Liberty BBC vs. Elizabeth Resolutes at Rahway River Park, Rahway

Saturday, May 11 at 12 p.m.

Athletic Base Ball Club of Philadelphia vs. Liberty BBC

Saturday, May 18 at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Middlesex County History Day

Eckford Base Ball Club of Brooklyn & Elizabeth Resolutes vs. Liberty BBC (Triple-header)

Saturday, June 1 (Time TBD)

Atlantic Base Ball Club of Brooklyn vs. Liberty BBC at TBD

Saturday, June 8 at 11 a.m. (Away Game)

Liberty BBC vs. John Bulls of Radford's Ferry at Veteran's Park, South Amboy (Single game)

Saturday, June 15 at 12 p.m. Father's Day Base Ball Game & Concert

Neshanock Base Ball Club of Flemington vs. Liberty BBC

Saturday, June 22 at 12 p.m. (Away Game)

Liberty BBC vs. Hoboken Base Ball Club at Dobbelaar Field, Hoboken, NJ

(Single game)

Saturday, June 29 at 11 a.m. (Away Game)

Liberty BBC vs. Elizabeth Resolutes at Rahway River Park, Rahway

Saturday, July 13 at 12 p.m.

Hoboken Base Ball Club vs. Liberty BBC

Saturday, July 20 & Sunday, 21 (Time TBD) (Away Games)

Liberty BBC vs. TBD at 10th Annual Gettysburg National 19th Century Base Ball Festival

Sunday, July 28 at 11 a.m.

Diamond State Base Ball Club of Delaware vs. Liberty BBC

Saturday, Aug. 10 at 12 p.m.

Elizabeth Resolutes vs. Liberty BBC

Saturday, Aug. 17 at 11 a.m. (Away Game)

Liberty BBC vs. Brandywine Base Ball Club of West Chester at Heckler Plains Farmstead, Harleysville, PA

Saturday, Aug. 24 at 12 p.m.

Keystone Base Ball Club of Harrisburg vs. Liberty BBC

Saturday, Sept. 14 (Time TBD) (Away Game)

Liberty BBC vs. Hoboken Base Ball Club & Monmouth Furnace Base Ball Club at 2019 Spirit of the Jerseys at the NJ State History Fair at Monmouth Battlefield State Park (Triple-header)

Saturday, Sept. 28 (Time TBD) (Away Game)

Liberty BBC vs. Brandywine Base Ball Club of West Chester at White Oak Park, Branchburg, NJ

Funding for the Liberty Base Ball Club is provided by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders