Highlights Archives
Play Ball — 1860s Style!
If you ever suffered from the notion that musty old textbooks and rote memorization of dates and facts constitute the stuff of history, think again. At two of the Society's historic sites — Old World Wisconsin and Wade House — lively games of vintage base ball, spelled as two words as it was originally and played according to 1860s rules, put the study of history in a whole new light. Players, called "ballists' in the lingo of the day and outfitted in authentic historic uniforms, show visitors how America's pastime was played long before the game evolved into the sport we know today.
 The Greenbush Dead Citys team photo In 1860s vintage base ball, batters are "strikers," a catcher is a "behind," the pitcher is a "hurler," and a run scored is a "tally" or an "ace." Other quaint terminology of the day describes fans as "cranks," opponents as "adversaries," games as "matches," outfielders as "scouts," and infielders as "tenders." The rules and manner of play are far different, too. Players don't wear gloves, pitching is underhanded, there is no strike zone, foul balls don't count as strikes, and a hit ball that is caught on the first bounce is an out.
The teams derive their identities from real historic squads. Old World Wisconsin's Eagle Diamonds took their name from the Waukesha Diamonds, a team organized in 1868. The Wade House team, the Greenbush Dead Citys, derives the team name from a team that played in the 1870s — a time by which Greenbush residents knew their little hamlet would never thrive and grow as Wade House founder Sylvanus Wade had envisioned because the railroad had passed the village by in favor of nearby Glenbeulah. That bit of history accounts for the moniker "Dead Citys."
Here is the schedule of the remaining vintage base ball games in the Eagle Diamonds' and the Greenbush Dead Citys' 2008 seasons (game times are 1:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted):
- June 14 — Eagle Diamonds vs. Milwaukee Cream Citys at Old World Wisconsin
- June 15 — Greenbush Dead Citys in a Father's Day match with visitors at Wade House
- July 12-13 — Eagle Diamonds and Greenbush Dead Citys at Trimborn Farm in Greendale for a vintage base ball tournament featuring eight teams (times vary)
- July 20 — Greenbush Dead Citys vs. Milwaukee Grays at Wade House
- August 2 — Eagle Diamonds vs. Greenbush Dead Citys at Old World Wisconsin
- August 17 — Eagle Diamonds vs. Milwaukee Grays at Old World Wisconsin
- August 17 — Greenbush Dead Citys vs. Milwaukee Cream Citys at Wade House
- September 21 — Greenbush Dead Citys vs. Milwaukee Grays at Wade House
For complete details on on hours, admission fees, locations and directions, and other details, see our Plan Your Visit pages for Old World Wisconsin and Wade House.
:: Posted June 6, 2008
|
