Lewes Base Ball Club drops two to Rising Sun
The Lewes Base Ball Club bats were as cold as ice on a hot and steamy Saturday, as the squad dropped two games to the visiting squad from Rising Sun, Md., July 12 at the Villages of Five Points.
Rising Sun took game 1 by a score of 7-1, before coming back with a 4-0 shutout in the second half of the doubleheader.
The Lewes Base Ball Club is in its 10th season. Playing baseball by 1864 rules, the club teaches 19th century sportsmanship, what athletic and leisure time activities were undertaken in 19th and early 20th century Lewes, as well as how baseball brought the community together. Some of the key differences in rules of 1864 compared to today include no fielding gloves were permitted, the ball could be caught on bounce for an out, the pitcher delivered the ball underhand, if there was going to be a close play at first base, the runner could not "run through" the bag, and foul balls did not count as strikes, among other differences. Many aspects are the same including nine players to a side, 90 feet between bases, nine-inning games, and three outs to an inning.
The team plays matches in the Mid Atlantic Vintage Base Ball League and has traveled as far and wide as Cooperstown, N.Y., and Gettysburg, Pa., to play in matches and tournaments.
Lewes will next play in the area Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26 and 27, at Cape Henlopen State Park.
