The Observation Deck

Vintage Baseball in Lakewood

Vintage Base Ball is base ball (yes, it was two words originally) played by the rules and customs of an earlier period. Ballists don period uniforms and recreate the game ‘as it was meant to be played.’ The Lakewood Historical Society is excited to host a vintage base ball double-header between the Akron Blackstockings and the Forest City Base Ball Club on Sunday July 13, 2008 at 1 p.m. at the Oldest Stone House field in Lakewood Park.

The mid-nineteenth century game was considerably different than today’s game. Ballists played with bare hands until the 1880s and balls caught on one bounce were outs until the mid-1860s. Balls are considered fair by where the ball first touches the ground. That is, a ball hit in front of home plate that then spins into foul territory is still a fair ball. There are numerous other differences, but modern spectators will still recognize our national pastime.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information on the events, call 221-7343. For more information on vintage base ball, check out HYPERLINK http://www.vbba.org www.vbba.org.



The Lakewood Historical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and preservation of Lakewood’s cultural heritage. In addition to operating the Oldest Stone House Museum in Lakewood Park, the Society maintains a photo-file collection, archives of Lakewood memorabilia, events for groups and schools and special historical programs. For more information, please contact the Lakewood Historical Society, at 14710 Lake Avenue, Lakewood, OH 44107, 216 221-7343.



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I went over to see the game yesterday. Not being a stick-and-ball fan I didn't watch much. But it looked as though there was a pretty good turn out of fans and it looked like people were having a good time.

Hope it was successful for the Historical Society.

Here are couple pictures to give you an idea of what the uniforms and so on looked like.

http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... e-baseball

I got there in time to see the second game. They did a great job - the umpire was kind of a ringmaster. He would address the crowd whenever there was a particularly unique or confusing ruling, and he'd visit with some of the crowd between innings, always in character. My father-in-law asked him if he was hot (in a bowtie, long coat and top hat) and the umpire simply responded "This is how a gentleman should be dressed on a Sunday afternoon. Unlike..." at which point he looked us up and down in our shorts and T-shirts, frowned, and returned to the game. It was great.

I took my 2 and 4 year old boys to the game. They had a great time! This was indeed a great weekend to enjoy Lakewood.

Any plans to bring a team to Lakewood?

THanks to everyone for the great turnout at the Vintage Base Ball game. This is one of the society's favorite events--so much fun! We counted over 250 people enjoying the game. And thanks to Mr. Ott for the pictures. I've forwarded the link to the team captains, I'm sure they'll enjoy them.

Mazie Adams
Exec Director
Lakewood Historical Society