Umpires dressed formally for games

Most living history museums and sites feature men and women as they lived and worked in the past, and visitors can typically watch such scenes as a blacksmith shaping metal, a cooper building barrels, or a cook preparing meals using antique techniques and equipment. But even a hundred years ago, sports and recreation were important parts of the culture, offering hardworking people some much-needed leisure. Witnessing something as simple as a game of old-fashioned baseball can draw people into a world of the past and make history come alive.

Businessman Bing G. Spitler is the Executive Director Historic Southwest Ohio, Inc., a non-profit which operates two museums in the Cincinnati area. Heritage Village Museum consists of 14 historical buildings that have been preserved for the education and appreciation of 19th century American culture, and The Hauck House Museum is an outstanding example of a mid 19th century Victorian home. Here Spitler offers a unique look into the origins of our national pastime:

• Watch the game as your ancestors did.
  Watching a vintage baseball is a great way to experience living history. Players wear authentic uniforms and play ball in pastures and fields, using the same style of play that our great-great grandfathers did.
  
• See the first pro team.
  Heritage Village Museum is the home of the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings, the very first professional baseball team.
  
• Learn the old rules.
  The team plays baseball as it was played in 1869, when the rules were quite different from those of today. For example, in the modern game, a player must catch a hit ball before it hits the ground to get the batter out. In 1869, however, a player could also catch it after one bounce and still get the out.
  
• Appreciate how the game has changed.
  There are other significant differences between early baseball and the game we play today. In 1869, players did not wear gloves, and pitching was underhand only.
  
• Delight in the fashions.
  In a historic game at Heritage Village, the umpire will call the game based on these historic rules, and will also come dressed in black coattails and a top hat as they did back in the1860s.
  
• Enjoy the formality.
  Formality was a very important part of the game. No foul language was permitted, and each side had to show a gentlemanly approach towards the other team.

For more information about vintage baseball, check out the following organizations or websites:

Heritage Village
www.heritagevillagecincinnati.org

Vintage Baseball Association
www.vbba.org

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
www.baseballhalloffame.org

Society for American Baseball Research
www.sabr.org

Vintage Base Ball Factory
www.vbbf.com