When Baseball Was Two Words

Everyone is invited to enjoy an afternoon to watch what America's favorite pastime looked like when it was in its infancy as vintage base ball returns to Old World Wisconsin, located in Eagle, WI (W372 S9727 Highway 67).

Vintage base ball at Old World Wisconsin is the re-creation of the styles, speech, and terminology of the vintage game. It's not only a competitive game, but a re-enactment of baseball life, similar to a Civil War reenactment. And no, that's not an extra space between base and ball.

Back then, the game's name was spelled with two words. Vintage base ball incorporates historical details enjoyed by both players ("ballists") and fans ("cranks"). Players in baggy uniforms wield fat-handled bats at lemon peel-stitched balls. No one wears gloves and there are no strike zones. Above all, it's a gentleman's game in which there is no showboating or taunting, and the umpire is always addressed as "Sir."

The Eagle Diamonds, based on the 1860s Waukesha Diamonds team, formed in 2005 at Old World Wisconsin. The team began its eighth season of play in 2012. Competing in well-documented uniforms inspired by those worn by the original 1860s Waukesha Diamonds, the players use the same rules of that era. With its unkempt field, underhand pitching and no gloves, the scores can be extremely high. The Eagle Diamonds are joined by the Greenbush Dead Citys, the Milwaukee Cream Citys and the Milwaukee Grays as charter members of the 19th-Century Base Ball Clubs of Wisconsin.

July and August Home Schedule

Game times are 1:30 pm and games are played at the Ward School Field at Old World Wisconsin.

• July 14:  vs. Milwaukee Grays
• July 28:  vs. Lemont Quarrymen
• August 25: vs. Greenbush Dead Citys

Admission to base ball games is free with museum admission.  Museum admission is $16 for adults, $14 for students and seniors (65 and older) and $9 for children (5-17); children under 5 are free.  Family admission (up to two adults and two or more dependent children 5-17) is $43.  Base Ball Carload Pricing is in effect during vintage ball games; $43 admits up to nine people.

Hours through September 3, 2012 are 10 am to 5 pm Mondays through Saturdays and 11 am to 5 pm Sundays; September 4 through October 31, 2012, hours are:  10 am to 3 pm Mondays through Fridays; 10 am to 5 pm Saturdays and 11 am to 5 pm Sundays.

Call 262-594-6300 for more information, or visit Old World Wisconsin online.