Vintage Baseball Game at Fort Vancouver

Havin’ a Ball, 1860′s Style.

You will think you stepped back in time at this Vintage Baseball Game played at Fort Vancouver. Not only are the players in costume, even the fans get into character. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and even the band, dressed in 1860′s attire.

This gloveless game with wooden bats is played by very different rules. “Striker to the line”, means the batter is up. He takes a couple of practice swings and then shows the hurler (pitcher) where he would like the ball. The ball is pitched underhand and it is the job of the hurler to get the ball into play. There are no strikes, no balls and a batter can only “strike out” if he swings and misses at three pitches. Also a ball caught after the first bounce is also considered an out. It was a real gentleman’s game played just for fun.

The 1st Oregon Volunteers will play the Vancouver Occidentals in two scheduled games this year at the Fort Vancouver Parade Grounds. The first game is Saturday, July 17 at 6:00 pm. The final game of the season is Saturday, August 21 at 6:00 pm. Bring a picnic and come cheer for your favorite team, but beware: the umpire can fine the audience for “ungentlemanly” or “unladylike” behavior.

We had a “ball” at last year’s event, and we have the pitchers, um, I mean pictures to prove it!

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