Old Time Baseball at Old Bethpage Village

**moose135** · 2009-05-30, 09:47 PM

Went to Old Bethpage Village to watch a couple of teams playing "Old Time Baseball". They play using 1860s rules - no gloves, underhand fast pitch, if you catch a ball on one bounce, it counts as an out. It was a beautiful day, and a fun way to spend an afternoon.

The umpire goes over the ground rules with both teams before the start of the game.

A swing and a miss...

Without a glove, you use your whole body to catch the ball.

Always keep your eye on the ball!

Stealing second base!

Safe at home!

I really tried to resist, but even I had to give one of these a vintage look...

**T-Bird76** · 2009-05-30, 10:27 PM

John that last shot is right out of the 1900s....good stuff!

**cancidas** · 2009-05-30, 11:35 PM

they're wearing cleats... was that legal back then?

**mirrodie** · 2009-05-31, 09:55 AM

What a great find! How often do they play? ANd those shots are sweet!

**N101CV** · 2009-05-31, 02:34 PM

That is fantastic. I echo the man above me's question. I would love to go to one of those games.

**emshighway** · 2009-05-31, 02:43 PM

I was there last year.

vintage-baseball-t7710.html-st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=bethpage

**moose135** · 2009-05-31, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by mirrodie

How often do they play?

From the Bethpage Village website, it looks like there are games every Sunday through mid-July (the OBVR schedule only goes through July). One of the teams playing - the Atlantic club (with the red stripe on their hats) - plays their home games in Smithtown, but travel around the region for games. One of the organizers of our photo group went to college with one of their players and let us know about the game. You can find out more about them, including a schedule, at their web site: http://www.geocities.com/atlanticbbc/main.htm