Before Battle of Richmond reenactment, vintage base ball teams play a gentlemanly game
Originally published by WEKU.
In a way, it’s a contest between north and south. The Cincinnati Red Stockings are about to play the Georgetown Gentlemen in a game of vintage base ball – two words — under 1869 rules. During warmups, Red Stockings Captain Chris Draft Pelle, who’ll be the first baseman today, explains a few of the rules:
“We’re playing fly rule, which you got to catch it on a fly. There’s also some rules around bound rule. And the bound rules, if it bounces once, anytime in the field or in foul territory, and someone catches it on one bounce, you’re out.”
They use vintage baseballs the old-timers called lemon peels, pitched underhand from 45 feet, and thick-handled vintage bats to strike them. Most notably, they don’t wear gloves.
“How do you manage that?”
“Carefully.”
Pelle says his vintage baseball injuries include a dislocated ring finger on one hand and a broken index finger on the other.
Fellow first baseman Matt “Cornbread” Dunn of the Georgetown Gentlemen acknowledges line drives leave fielders with a choice:
“It separates the wheat from the chaff. I’ll say that. I’ll say that we, and we’ve had some guys that thought they want to play third or short til they got the first one hit at them.”
“The person you’re talking to gets out of the way all the time.”
Laughter.
All the Georgetown players have nicknames. Asked about the origin of his, Dunn says he guesses it’s because he likes cornbread.
Aside from the different rules and different equipment, or lack thereof, something else separates vintage baseball from modern sports – a gentlemanly approach by both squads. Cornbread explains:
“I love it. I’ve always loved baseball, but as I’ve matured through life, it’s gotten a little harder to play it, you know, the other way. So this is, this is our speed, and I have a good time with it. And it’s also fun just to be with a bunch of good guys, and all the teams we play are truly gentlemen.”
The Gentleman and Red Stockings play to win, but there’s no razzing of opponents, and not once is the pitcher compared to a belly-itcher. It’s the third consecutive year the battlefield has hosted a game of vintage base ball. The first year, the Gentlemen won. Last year, the Red Stockings squared the count.
“On behalf on the Battlefield Association, play ball!”
“Here we go. Let’s go.”
The rubber match is on. There are no balls and strikes, so the batter can wait for a good pitch. When a fielder grabs one, it’s usually thrown so it can be caught on the bounce to protect hands. While his team bats, Gentleman catcher Daniel “Noodle” Baird is asked about the prospect of a foul ball struck backwards with no equipment to protect him.
“We try not to think about it, right? It’s like it’s you don’t think about the bad things that can happen just because it’s so much fun.” Laughs.
A rope separates the field of play from the hundred or so fans in attendance. Just behind it is retired English teacher Mason Smith and wife Marie Mitchel, both fans of vintage baseball. On his lap are a sketchbook and watercolor set.
“The one we’re looking at now — it’s a pitcher and the batter. How long did that take you to produce?”
“The rough sketch is very rough. It probably took about two minutes, and then putting watercolor washes behind it, another five or 10. So this is a very quick sketch.”
Smith says he’ll produce three or four before the battle reenactment begins.
Back on the field, Cornbread smashes the ol’ lemon peel over the left fielder’s head, knocking in a runner, then – well, what happens next depends on whom you talk to.
“I was hoping it wouldn’t go that far so I wouldn’t have to run so far. I’m pretty much a pull hitter.”
“So you got a triple and then came home and they sort of messed up.”
“No, we call that a home run. We don’t call that a triple and grants on the throw. That’s a home run. Our official scorer scored that a home run.”
Despite Cornbread’s wallop, the Red Stockings triumph in ten innings, 18-17. Looking on is Paula White, who arrived early for a good seat to watch an old game played by the young at heart.
“It’s different. It’s like my neighbor said – it’s like playing baseball when we were kids.”
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Originally published by WEKU.
Republished with permission.
