Lewes players John Kennedy, left, and Nick Benz get a Milford player caught in a run down between first and second. BY RON MACARTHUR
Milford catcher Adam "Doc" Davis holds on to the ball to get an out at home after tagging the sliding Casey Warner of Lewes. BY RON MACARTHUR
Umpire Mike Read stands beside the batter and not behind him. BY RON MACARTHUR
Lewes pitcher Matt DeEmedio lets one fly during the first game of a June 9 double header. BY RON MACARTHUR
Lewes players watch the action during a game at the Virden Center. BY RON MACARTHUR
It's close, but no out. Lewes' John Kennedy takes the throw at second with back up from Joe Walls. BY RON MACARTHUR
Aaron Block says put that in the book after he successfully steals third base. BY RON MACARTHUR
In a scene that reminds of yesteryear, Steve Scharf stands ready to bat. BY RON MACARTHUR
Lewes Historical Society Executive Director Mike DiPaolo catches for Lewes. He was the driving force behind creating a team from Lewes to play in the Mid-Atlantic Vintage Base Ball League. BY RON MACARTHUR
Wooden bats are at the ready for the Lewes team. BY RON MACARTHUR
Drinking tins have the nicknames of the players. It was customary for players to use nicknames when they played during the early years of the sport. BY RON MACARTHUR
Matt DeEmedio tells a runner to try for home plate after a Lewes hit. BY RON MACARTHUR
Lewes players John Kennedy, left, and Nick Benz get a Milford player caught in a run down between first and second. BY RON MACARTHUR
Milford catcher Adam "Doc" Davis holds on to the ball to get an out at home after tagging the sliding Casey Warner of Lewes. BY RON MACARTHUR
Umpire Mike Read stands beside the batter and not behind him. BY RON MACARTHUR
Lewes pitcher Matt DeEmedio lets one fly during the first game of a June 9 double header. BY RON MACARTHUR
Lewes players watch the action during a game at the Virden Center. BY RON MACARTHUR
It's close, but no out. Lewes' John Kennedy takes the throw at second with back up from Joe Walls. BY RON MACARTHUR
Aaron Block says put that in the book after he successfully steals third base. BY RON MACARTHUR
In a scene that reminds of yesteryear, Steve Scharf stands ready to bat. BY RON MACARTHUR
Lewes Historical Society Executive Director Mike DiPaolo catches for Lewes. He was the driving force behind creating a team from Lewes to play in the Mid-Atlantic Vintage Base Ball League. BY RON MACARTHUR
Wooden bats are at the ready for the Lewes team. BY RON MACARTHUR
Drinking tins have the nicknames of the players. It was customary for players to use nicknames when they played during the early years of the sport. BY RON MACARTHUR
Matt DeEmedio tells a runner to try for home plate after a Lewes hit. BY RON MACARTHURUnder a hot, summer-like sun June 9, the Lewes Vintage Base Ball Club dropped a doubleheader to visiting Milford, 9-3 and 13-9. The losses temporarily knocked Lewes out of the top spot in the Mid-Atlantic Vintage Base Ball League.
Lewes started vintage baseball play four years ago when Lewes Historical Society Executive Director Mike DiPaolo organized a team to play exhibition games.
The earliest known reference to date of baseball in Lewes is from February 1874 when a match pitting Lewes against Milton was advertised for March 1, 1874. Unfortunately the outcome of that contest is not known, DiPaolo said.
Lewes has a team in the Eastern Shore Baseball League in the early and mid-20th century.
Teams play by 1864 rules that have several differences from modern-day baseball. Most notably is players do not use gloves to catch the ball, which is softer than current baseballs. Also, players can catch fly balls – including foul balls – on one bounce for an out. Bunting is not permitted; pitchers throw underhand; batters are called strikers; and strikes are called when a striker does not attempt to swing the bat after a warning from the umpire, DiPaolo said.
A strong emphasis is placed on stealing and hitting hard grounders to advance runners, he said.
The Lewes club plays its home games at the University of Delaware Lewes campus near the Virden Conference Center grounds at 700 Pilottown Road. The next home game is Sunday. Aug. 18, against Athletic Club of Philadelphia. The team is sponsored by Dogfish Head Craft Brewery.
Lewes players John Kennedy, left, and Nick Benz get a Milford player caught in a run down between first and second. BY RON MACARTHUR
Milford catcher Adam "Doc" Davis holds on to the ball to get an out at home after tagging the sliding Casey Warner of Lewes. BY RON MACARTHUR
Umpire Mike Read stands beside the batter and not behind him. BY RON MACARTHUR
Lewes pitcher Matt DeEmedio lets one fly during the first game of a June 9 double header. BY RON MACARTHUR
Lewes players watch the action during a game at the Virden Center. BY RON MACARTHUR
It's close, but no out. Lewes' John Kennedy takes the throw at second with back up from Joe Walls. BY RON MACARTHUR
Aaron Block says put that in the book after he successfully steals third base. BY RON MACARTHUR
In a scene that reminds of yesteryear, Steve Scharf stands ready to bat. BY RON MACARTHUR
Lewes Historical Society Executive Director Mike DiPaolo catches for Lewes. He was the driving force behind creating a team from Lewes to play in the Mid-Atlantic Vintage Base Ball League. BY RON MACARTHUR
Wooden bats are at the ready for the Lewes team. BY RON MACARTHUR
Drinking tins have the nicknames of the players. It was customary for players to use nicknames when they played during the early years of the sport. BY RON MACARTHUR
Matt DeEmedio tells a runner to try for home plate after a Lewes hit. BY RON MACARTHUR


