19th Century Base Ball returns to Gettysburg

06-17-2011

 

Second annual event to take the field on July 16-17

 

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania – June 17, 2011

 

The 2^nd Annual Gettysburg 19^th Century Base Ball Tournament will be back in town on July 16 and 17, as nine clubs from around the United States take part in what is one of the town’s most exciting events.

 

The two-day tournament features the uniforms, style, rules and equipment of the 1860s, long before expensive box seats, multi-million contracts, and overpriced souvenirs of today’s baseball. All games take place at Hickory Hollow Farm on Crooked Creek Road, just three miles west of Gettysburg, off Route 30.

 

“The players are not re-enactors, they are actual base ball (two word) players who play a full schedule of games from April until the end of October up and down the East Coast,” said tournament organizer Greg Rodenbaugh. “The games are not scripted.”

 

To celebrate Gettysburg’s favorite baseball son, Eddie Plank III will be on hand to throw out the first ball at several of the matches. The Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society will be on hand with displays about “Gettysburg” Eddie Plank as well. Fans can even purchase the same balls that the clubs will be using and learn about uniforms that they are wearing as well.

 

Other living historians taking part in the tournament include Abraham Lincoln, General Grant, General Lee and other Gettysburg civilian historians. Visitors can also get 1860s photographs taken on tin-type, while at the tournament.

 

The event kicks off on Friday night at Gettysburg Eddies from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Visitors can meet some of the players while they check in for the tournament at the new “Elkton Eclipse Dining Room” in the upstairs of Gettysburg Eddie’s Restaurant. Games start Saturday at 10 a.m. and continue throughout the day at Hickory Hollow Farm. Sunday’s base ball starts at 9:30 a.m. with the championship match taking place at noon.

 

Visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets, as well as a picnic lunch. Food and refreshments will also be available.

 

Once again the Elkton Base Ball Club will be promoting and managing the event which will feature the Saginaw Old Golds (MI), the Cincinnati Buckeyes (OH), the Mudville Nine (MA), the Flemington Neshanock (NJ), the Central City Stars (CO), the Huntington Champion Hill Toppers (IN), the Chesapeake City Cecils (MD), the Mechanicsburg Nine (PA), and the defending champion Talbot Fair Plays (MD).

 

The event is sponsored by Gettysburg Eddie’s, Hickory Hollow Farm, the Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Gettysburg Foundation.

 

For more information, email elktonbase_ball@yahoo.com or visit www.gvbbt.wordpress.com.

 

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