Infirmary Inmates at "Inmate Field," Wintergarden Park, Bowling Green, 2010.

UPCOMING 2012 GAMES

Season Opener!
INFIRMARY INMATES VINTAGE BASE BALL [more]
April 28, 2012 at 1:00 pm - HOME vs North Baltimore Cyclones (North Baltimore, OH) at Wintergarden Park, BG [Location]

INFIRMARY INMATES VINTAGE BASE BALL [more]
May 5, 2012, time TBA - AWAY vs Cincinnati Buckeyes (Cincinnati, OH)

INFIRMARY INMATES VINTAGE BASE BALL [more]
June 16, 2012 at 1:00 pm - HOME vs Wheels Base Ball Club (Walker Tavern, MI) at Wintergarden Park, BG [Location]

INFIRMARY INMATES VINTAGE BASE BALL [more]
June 23, 2012, time TBA - AWAY vs Whiskey Island Shamrocks (Cleveland, OH)

INFIRMARY INMATES VINTAGE BASE BALL [more]
August 4, 2012 at 1:00 pm - HOME vs Hoover Sweepers (Canton, OH) at Wintergarden Park, BG [Location]

INFIRMARY INMATES VINTAGE BASE BALL [more]
August 18, 2012 at 1:00 pm - HOME vs Columbus Capitals at Wintergarden Park, BG [Location]

INFIRMARY INMATES VINTAGE BASE BALL [more]
August 26, 2012 at 1:00 pm - HOME vs Mansfield Independents (Mansfield, OH) at Wintergarden Park, BG [Location]

INFIRMARY INMATES VINTAGE BASE BALL [more]
September 2, 2012, time TBA - AWAY - Ohio Cup, Columbus OH

INFIRMARY INMATES VINTAGE BASE BALL [more]
September 9, 2012, time TBA - AWAY vs Wheels Base Ball Club (Walker Tavern, MI)

Season Closer!
INFIRMARY INMATES VINTAGE BASE BALL [more]
September 15, 2012, time TBA - vs Early Risers (Detroit, MI) under the lights at Ned Skeldon Stadium [Location]

Today’s Vintage Baseball Team

The Wood County Historical Center & Museum has been involved in vintage baseball since 2004 as part of the museum’s adult educational outreach. The goal of the team is to involve the people of Wood County in activities at the Historical Center, to learn what life was like in the 1800s, to educate the public about the history of baseball in our community, and to have fun playing by the rules and customs of baseball as it was played in the 1860s.

The Wood County Historical Museum was once the County Home or Infirmary (1869-1971). Residents at the Infirmary were called Inmates, hence the team name Wood County Infirmary Inmates; they were NOT prison inmates. The modern Wood County Infirmary Inmates Base Ball Club is an active member of the national Vintage Base Ball Association (baseball was two words back then).

The Wood County Infirmary Inmates Base Ball Club is open to anyone, regardless of skill level, 16 years of age or older. Members wear reproduction uniforms reminiscent of those worn in the early 19th century. The club uses reproduction equipment, such as bats and balls, that would have been used in the 1860s. The team practices and plays at “Inmate Field,” located at Wintergarden Park in Bowling Green, Ohio.

For more information about the team or vintage baseball, contact Education Programs Coordinator Michael McMaster at the Wood County Historical Center: 419-352-0967 or education@woodcountyhistory.org. Also visit the Museum’s website at www.woodcountyhistory.org or the Vintage Base Ball Association’s website at www.vbba.org.

Rules:

Although played very much like the game of baseball today, 1860s “base ball” has several variation in the rules. Here are a few of the major differences in how the game was played back then.

• Batters are called “Strikers” and are called to home plate by the umpire. There are no called strikes, balls, or walks, however, a striker is out if he or she swings and misses the ball three times.
• The ball is pitched underhanded by the “Hurler.”
• There are no gloves or mitts. Players play barehanded.
• A striker is out if the ball is caught “on the fly” or on the first bounce.
• Basemen must stand either on their base or no more than one stride off the bag. The short stop can play either between 2nd and 3rd or 1st and 2nd base.
• Outfielders must play in the center of their respective position.
• The umpire can consult with players on rulings of close plays.
• A run is called an “Ace.” When a player crosses home plate he or she must announce to the scorekeeper that an ace has been earned. After an ace has been recorded, the player then rings a bell to announce to the “Cranks” (fans) that an ace has been tallied.

Michael McMaster
Education Programs Coordinator
Wood County Historical Center & Museum
13660 County Home Road
Bowling Green, OH 43402
419-352-0967
education@woodcountyhistory.org