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 December 21, 2009 - It started with just one game a year at Fort Concho for Frontier Day. San Angelo military volunteer groups would not only re-enact war from the late 1800's, but old-time baseball. The Military re-enactors would play the Buffalo Gap Chips. Thus began what is known as Vintage Base Ball right here in San Angelo, just like the old pioneers played.
Jackie Robinson may have been one of the great pioneers of the game breaking the color barrier in 1947, but it was another Robinson who pioneered vintage ball right here in San Angelo. Cory Robinson the Visitor and Volunteer Services Coordinator at Fort Concho turned that one game a year into a year round league.
Vintage Base ball has become very popular around the country over the last decade. So what is it? The old rules during the late 1800's, which were the original rules of baseball, are used for Vintage Base Ball. It evens the playing field (no pun intended) for all involved, opening up the game we know and love to everyone and making it a lot more equal for people to play. Why? Men's fast pitch baseball leagues have a need for a high degree of skill, and even slow pitch softball leagues still requires a certain amount of strength and agility.
Most Texas Vintage Base Ball clubs play with rules from the 1860 which is a mid-range period of rules that all historic sites can utilize. The game balls were much softer than the modern baseball so "ballists" played without a glove. You cannot over run first base or you can be tagged out. You can hit a 400 foot ball foul and have enough time to catch up to it because you can still catch it for an out if it takes only one bounce. In fact any ball even a foul tip caught on one bounce is called for an out. There is no sliding, bunting, no balls and strikes called, and underhand pitching. Teams are comprised of many different age and skill levels, as well as both genders. You might see a 10-year old girl and an 80-year old man playing for the same team. "We all play for the love of baseball" Robinson said. It is also almost always played on a historic site, which determines what year’s rules you use which is another unique part of Vintage Base Ball.
Old-time expressions from that generation are a big part of the game as well. Fans are know as "cranks" or "rooters", an out is know as a "kill", while "give it some ginger" is often heard (as in come on guys lets get going). A "daisy cutter" is a ground ball, while the pitcher and catcher are known as a "bowler" and a "behind". The umpire or "Blind Tom" will call "Striker to the Line" as opposed to the modern "Batter Up". The original game of baseball was also a rich man's sport so you hear high society type of expressions and gentlemanly play. So during a game you may here someone say about a well hit ball "well struck", or to start the game back up someone may yell "hurl the apple (or onion)". You will even hear opposing players refer to each other as "sir" even while pitching, like after a batter takes a few pitches the pitcher may say "where would you like it sir?". When the game ends it is often a tradition for the winners to usually let out a cheer of "Huzzah" several times for their own team or losing team.
It has become popular enough that ESPN even televises a Vintage Base Ball World Series. What makes Cory's Vintage Base Ball League here so unique is that he uses the 1860 and the 1887 rules. What makes the year 1887 so special compared to some of the rules from the 1860's you may ask? It is the year when gloves were first used in league play to protect players' hands from the new harder ball. Keep in mind this is not anywhere near the modern gloves, or even ones from the 1950's like Joe DiMaggio is always seen using with a hand size glove with fingers and no webbing. It is a glove slightly bigger than your hand, and not much more protection then a gardening glove. Reproduction gloves are made for Vintage League Base Ball Teams by the modern sporting goods company Akadema and are direct copies of the Reach gloves form the late 19th century. These leagues opened up a whole new line of products for companies and individuals to make that were never seen or used before. They produce not only Vintage Base Ball equipment but some other unique products. For example exact replica gloves that Lou Gehrig, Bob Feller and other famous players used for example.
Other rules differences include seven balls instead of four. Pitching overhand was finally allowed by both professional leagues in 1885, you could not even break the plane of the shoulder before then. It was also the first year that the bat could have a flat side to it (1887-1892). The idea for vintage ball here came with the history of Fort Concho. "They (the soldiers) had a lot of down time when they did not cross the (Concho) river for the saloon" said Robinson. Baseball was so popular in the United States in the 19th Century. That popularity spilled over to military bases across the country. Abner Doubleday, while serving in the Texas frontier requested baseball uniforms and equipment be sent to Fort McKavett in Menard. Captain Morton, a cavalry officer at Fort Concho, may have even pitched in his own money for uniforms for the third cavalry. In 1887 six teams were established in the San Angelo community. Two teams call the Enterprise Clubs formed out of the soldiers stationed at Fort Concho, and six civilian teams grow out of the citizens of the town.
Sound great? So between the old uniforms, replica equipment and joining the league how much will it cost to play here in San Angelo you are probably wondering, right? Well that is the best part; Cory does not even charge anyone for playing. The old style uniforms are even provided to use with his club. They receive grants and have local business sponsors for the reproduction items.
Could we see some Vintage Base Ball at Foster Field with these not so ready for prime time players this season before a Colts game? Perhaps? For all skill levels, minimal cost with Fort Concho providing uniforms and it being played mainly for fun, the goal for the league Cory Robinson is developing is for entertainment and recreation, for both the participants and the spectators. So let’s Play Ball! Vintage Ball that is.
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