19th Century Base Ball in Lincoln!

[NebraskaVintageBaseBall]

reetings!

I come from the East, bringing the game of 19th Century Base Ball (two words back then) to Nebraska!

I have played Vintage Base Ball for 6 years back home in Boston, but upon moving here realized it doesn't exist! So I have taken it upon myself to start up Lincoln's first ever vintage base ball organization. Vintage baseball has THRIVED in New England, New York, the Mid-Atlantic, and the Midwest. I have played against dozens of clubs from 13 states and even Canada. Vintage baseball is a great family event to attend, there are never admission or ticket fees, and we play on open grass fields rather than modern diamonds. Bring a blanket and a beach chair (do people have beach chairs here?) And enjoy a game or two.

 

Some things about Vintage Base Ball are very different than modern ball. We use the rules, equipment and customs of 1864. No gloves, a lemon-peel style Ball, wooden bats that look much different from today's Louisville Slugger. A ball caught on one bounce is an out , and the list goes on. For players, there's much more in it than a beer softball league. This Is baseball, at its roots, the way it was meant to be played. There is a group is Wahoo who has a similar program that works with the Saunders County Historical Society This is a fantastic opportunity for the Historical Society to help teach the earliest game in Nebraska's history. Nebraska's first club, the Lincoln Olympics was founded the same year that Nebraska became a state.

 

I'm turning to the message boards in hopes of increasing our numbers and to see what interest you may have in the development of this project. Nebraska has a great base ball history in the 1860-70s with clubs such as the Lincoln Olympic BBC, Nebraska Indians, Omaha BBC, Fremont Bugeaters and many others started the baseball movement in Nebraska.

 

I am still in the building stages of this organization. I have a dozen or so committed to playing, but I am definitely looking for a significant amount more people to play this summer. Next year I hope to host teams from our of state and do some traveling to other clubs as well. This year is about teaching the game and gaining interest.

There so much more I could tell you, but I don't want to chew your ear off in the first message.

 

Our next practice/scrimmage will be Sunday, June 1st, 2014 @ Pioneers Park in Lincoln, NE from 11AM to 1PM. ALL ARE WELCOME. This is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Anyone who want to try their (bare) hands at 19th Century Base Ball are more than welcome.

 

 

Thank you for your time, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments or ideas.

 

 

Our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/nebraskaVBB

 

 

Dave Leopardi

(978) 968-7275
daveleopardi@yahoo.com

 

[Landlord]

I don't think making the same thread twice is going to help your cause.

 

 

 

Looks like a real hoot though.