America’s game played by 1864 rules

There are no gloves and fly balls can be caught on a bounce for an out. In the early days of baseball, those were a few of the rules that seem very far removed from the modern game.

The early days of baseball have been brought back to life thanks to the Lewes Vintage Base Ball Club, coordinated by the Lewes Historical Society and sponsored by Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. Lewes – the defending Delaware Cup champion –  plays under 1864 rules. Among the rules and nomenclature, batters are called strikers, the umpire is an arbiter and stands beside the catcher and not behind him and pitchers throw under hand. Balls and strikes calls include warnings to the pitcher and batter for either not swinging or not throwing strikes.

The earliest record of baseball in the area is a game in 1874 played between Lewes and Milton, according to Mike DiPaolo, executive director of the historical society and founder of the team who plays infield for Lewes.

Lewes and Rehoboth also had teams playing in the Eastern Shore League during the mid-20th century.

Lewes has a home game upcoming at 1 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 27, at the Villages of Five Points field off Old Orchard Road, Lewes.