STATEHOUSE NEWS

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Update: 2021 photos will be posted on this website: http://www.ohiostatehouse.org/galleries/vintage-base-ball-2021

For the tenth year, the West Lawn (High Street side) of the Ohio Statehouse will host vintage “base ball” (historically two words), as members of the 134th Ohio General Assembly (OGA) take on the Ohio Village Muffins and Lady Diamonds, Tuesday, September 28, 2021. Reminiscent of the era when the 1861 Ohio Statehouse had been recently completed, the historic game begins at 5:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The two teams will be fighting for bragging rights and the coveted symbol of victory, the Richard Schuricht Memorial Cup. Prior to the game, the Statehouse’s 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A will provide a cannon firing demonstration and discussion of leisure activities Civil War soldiers would have used to pass the time spent in camp.

Using vintage base ball equipment, the game is scheduled for seven innings and will be governed under The Rules and Regulations of the Game of Base Ball Adopted by the National Association of Base-Ball Players, March 14, 1860. Major rule differences between vintage base ball and modern baseball are listed below.

• The ball is pitched underhanded from anywhere behind the pitcher's line.


• An out is declared if:


• A hit ball is caught on the fly or the first bounce, including foul tips to the catcher.


• A base runner overruns any base (including first) and is touched by the ball in the hands of an adversary.
  

Enjoy an evening downtown, as you watch the OGA Capitol Cannons host the Ohio Village Muffins and Diamonds in an exhibition vintage base ball game. Come early and enjoy an outdoor meal. Concessions will be available from the Paddy Wagon food truck and Milo’s Catering.

About the Ohio Village Muffins and vintage base ball

Formed in 1981, the Ohio Village Muffins were the first vintage base ball team in America to play a set summer schedule, and the Muffins also hosted the founding meeting of the Vintage Base Ball Association (VBBA). The Muffins play in uniforms period correct to the 1860s; the uniform consists of plain long pants, a white shirt with a bright shield containing the team emblem, a pill box hat, a leather belt and a bow tie. Recreational activities for men and for women, especially base ball, were becoming more ingrained in American society during the middle part of the 19th century. The Muffins represent a changing America and highlight a game that would transcend all others and become America’s National Pastime. More information about the Muffins and the Diamonds can be found here.

Support for this event is provided by the Ohio Lobbying Association, the Ohio Village Muffins and Diamonds, and the 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A.

To view photos of the 2019 game at the Ohio Statehouse, visit http://www.ohiostatehouse.org/galleries/vintage-base-ball-2019
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