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Lewes hosts Base Ball at the Beach Festival

Vintage squad keeps town team tradition alive by playing under 1864 rules
Lewes Baseball Club player Doug “Coop” Cooper tries to slide under Elkton catcher Leslie “Roots” Blackburn, but he was out during the first game of the second annual Baseball at the Beach Festival played in Lewes. RON MACARTHUR PHOTOS
Ron MacArthur
September 4, 2022

The Lewes Base Ball Club hosted its second annual Base Ball at the Beach Festival Aug. 28 hosting teams from Elkton and Rising Sun, both in Maryland.

The team, which was formed in 2012 by Mike DiPaolo, plays other teams in the Mid-Atlantic Vintage Base Ball League. Teams play by 1864 rules, with some notable differences from today’s game. Fielders do not wear gloves, and a ball can be caught on one bounce for an out. 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.

The team’s uniforms are replicas of the original style worn by the players in the 1870s.

The earliest known reference to baseball in Lewes is a game between Lewes and Milton in March 1874. Lewes and Rehoboth Beach had teams in the Eastern Shore Baseball League in the early and mid-20th century.

Lewes pitcher Kevin “Dart” Schultze fires the ball toward home. Under 1864 rules, pitchers throw underhand.
As the signs say, it’s not Iowa, but a field of dreams in Lewes at the Villages of Five Points recreation field.
Warren “Yankee” Miller still can make a strong throw from third to first even though he celebrated his 81st birthday on game day.
Rhawn “Shorty” Short waits for a pitch to drive it to left field. He has baseball in his blood – his father pitched for the Phillies from 1959 to 1973.
Mike “Oyster” DiPaolo is the team founder. During each home game, he takes time to explain the rules to the fans.
Lewes Base Ball Club players gather around the bench. The squad is keeping the tradition of town teams alive.
Chris “Lovely” Chapdelaine runs an Elkton player back to first base.
The ball bounces out of second baseman Drew “Pine Tar” Fyock’s hands, but he still made an out at home. Under 1864 rules, gloves were not used.
Lewes players salute Elkton after the first game of the Base Ball at the Beach Festival.

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