 
|
Town Hall
16 School St.
Allenstown, NH
603-485-4276
Check town web site for current business hours.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1860s Style)
Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1860s Style)
Dateline: Sep. 03, 2024
The Teams
Photo from 2021 courtesy of Trish Caruso
On Sunday September 22, the Allenstown Historical Society is bringing Vintage Baseball to town.
Location: Pine Haven Boys Center, 133 River Road
The teams: Dirigo Base Ball Club of Maine vs Mudville Base Ball of Holliston, Mass.
First pitch is at 11 a.m..
Food concession by the Allenstown Firefighters Association
The event was the brainchild of retired Town and School Moderator, Dennis Fowler, and his son, Kris, who works for the NH Department of Revenue. Both are volunteers for the Historical Society and decided to bring back the teams that played ball for us in 2021.
They have invited the Dirigo Base Ball Club of Maine and Mudville Base Ball of Holliston, Mass. to play some vintage baseball. The teams harken back to the 1860s when uniforms were made of wool and the game was called "base ball." They are part of the Vintage Base Ball Association, an informal national network of teams.
There is no charge for attendees but donations will be accepted to help cover the teams' travel expenses. The Allenstown Firefighters Association will be operating a food concession for the event. They will also be collaborating with the EDC to offer dinner and a movie at the Family Movie Night at the Fire Station on Sept. 28.
Anyone who watches the game will see that they adhere to rules no one has ever seen before. They play without baseball gloves, not even the small "Stan the Man" Musial gloves from the 1960s. A ball caught on a bounce is considered an out. The ball is a bit larger and softer than today's hardball. Bases look like pillows, and the catcher behind home plate is called -- what else? -- "The Behind."
What You Can Do
Mark your calendars for Sunday September 22, bring chairs or blankets, and enjoy some Vintage Baseball.
| Last updated Sep. 03, 2024 |