Courtesy Virginia Gazette 09-09-09

Turning back the clock

The Pastime Base Ball Club shows how the game was played 150 years ago.

Pastime Base Ball Club plays the game 1864 rules

By John Harvey

Published:

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 2:21 AM EDT

WILLIAMSBURG

Have you ever wondered what baseball looked looked like 150 years ago?

Ron Carnegie and Stephen Zacharias are giving baseball fans in greater Williamsburg that opportunity with the Pastime Base Ball Club.

This vintage club is dedicated to building interest in the history of baseball, offering education and entertainment to people on the Peninsula.

Carnegie formed the club in greater Williamsburg last fall as a means to show how baseball was meant to be played.

“The game really lives up to its gentlemanly nature,” Carnegie said. “The clubs play for fun and education. Certainly they want to win, but [enjoying] the game is more important. It is a game of honor.”

Vintage baseball growing throughout the United States, with approximately 250 clubs throughout the country. The Pastime Base Ball Club is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Vintage Baseball League, which includes seven clubs between Maryland and North Carolina.

Games are played by baseball rules of 1864, which differ somewhat from that of the modern game. For example, players do not use gloves and foul balls are not taken as strikes. In addition, outs can be recorded by a catch from a fly ball or on one bounce.

Pitchers stand 45 feet from the batter, known as the striker, and must throw underhanded. A gentlemanly game, players determine outs and umpires serve more as announcers than officials. Fines are given for rude behavior, swearing, spitting or arguing with the umpire.

“This is where rec softball players go to retire,” said Zacharias, who joined the club earlier this year. “People think you have to be athletic to play. This is basically T-ball for grownups.”

Zacharias is no stranger to vintage baseball. He grew up in Oregon and got involved with a similar club there. “I just love the time period and the spirit of the game,” he said.

“I like playing softball and this is really similar to playing in the rec leagues. Plus, it gives me the opportunity to get back into [interpreting] 19th century stuff.”

History is also important to Carnegie. He works as a historical interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg. A former Civil War re-enactor, Carnegie admits playing vintage baseball is a nice change of pace.

“My first involvement with historic baseball was as a re-enactor many years ago,” he said. “Back then the game was really being played mostly as an adjunct to other activities. I have long had an interest in the history of games. I thought the idea of re-enacting a sport was so more pleasant than re-enacting war.”

Carnegie estimates that more than 25% of modern vintage clubs have historical backgrounds, but admits the league is open to everyone

“Vintage ballists come from all sorts of backgrounds.” He said. “Some are re-enactors or historians, some just love playing baseball, some just came out and thought it looked fun.”

Most teams field rosters of 15 players for games, which would guarantee the required nine players needed for a game. Carnegie said the Pastime Base Ball Club is still seeking members.

“Any adult can participate to some degree,” Carnegie said. “The game calls for a certain amount of physical activity, of course, but it is common to find a large range of ages playing. For the present, only an eagerness to play is required.”

The Pastime Ball Club is slated to make its debut with an exhibition game against the Elkton (Md.) Eclipse this Sunday, Sept. 13, at Spotsylvania Courthouse near Fredericksburg. The game will be part of the Spotsylvania 1859 County Fair.

More — If interested in participating in the Pastime Base Ball Club, visit pastimebbc.com or e-mail Carnegie at mail@pastimebbc.com.