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Playing baseball by 1865 rules

Lewes Vintage Base Ball Club in its fifth season
Umpire Mike Reed of Bethany Beach keeps score the old-fashioned way during the Lewes-Brooklyn game. BY RON MACARTHUR
Ron MacArthur
July 3, 2014
Mike DiPaolo rounds third and heads for home to score a run for Lewes. DiPaolo, who is executive director of the Lewes Historical Society, was instrumental in forming the team five years ago. BY RON MACARTHUR
Brooklyn Atlantics pitcher Ed "Pigtail" Elmore looks the part of a 19th century player. BY RON MACARTHUR
Lewes pitcher Kevin Schultze of Harbeson fires one underhand to the plate. BY RON MACARTHUR
Steve Scharff of Lewes waits for a pitch to hit. BY RON MACARTHUR
Pat Zmuda of Lewes covers second as a Brooklyn player slides into the base. BY RON MACARTHUR
Brooklyn's Matthew "Krawler" had four hits in the win over Lewes. BY RON MACARTHUR

The Lewes Vintage Base Ball Club is in its fifth season of playing the nation's past time the way it was played 150 years ago.

Although the game of yesteryear resembles the game of today, there are several very obvious rule changes. The first difference fans notice is that players do not wear gloves.

Additionally, pitchers throw underhand, batters are called strikers, strikes are called when a striker does not attempt to swing the bat after a warning from the umpire and foul balls can be caught on the bounce for an out.

So far, Lewes is 8-8 following a 22-8 loss to the Brooklyn Atlantics on June 22. The team has away games in July and August, returning to its home field at the Virden Center with 1 p.m. games on Sunday, Sept. 14, and Sunday, Sept. 21.

Lewes plays in the Mid-Atlantic Vintage Base Ball League. The Lewes team is sponsored by Dogfish Head Craft Brewery.

The photos in the story are published in tint type, resembling the photographs of the mid-19 century.

 

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