STATEHOUSE CALENDAR

A fun-filled evening featuring vintage base ball (historically two words0 and members of the Ohio General Assembly will take place on the Statehouse lawn on May 22. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., members of the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate will challenge the Ohio Village Muffins to an exhibition game of base ball. As part of the event, the 1^st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A will provide cannon firing demonstrations and old-time games and activities for families. The event is free and open to the public.

Members of the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate, both Democrats and Republicans and men and women, will take a night off from their political wrangling and join together to make up the “Capitol Cannons” team in an effort to defeat the “Ohio Village Muffins.” This bipartisan competition will celebrate the Ohio Statehouse and all that it stands for. 

The teams will take to the field on the West lawn (High Street) of the Ohio Statehouse on Tuesday, May 22 at 5:30 p.m. to battle for bragging rights and a coveted trophy to commemorate the second annual competition. 

Concessions will be available from the Capitol Cafe, operated by Milo’s Catering and Banquet Services.

The Capitol Cannons are made up of some of the sharpest members of the Ohio General Assembly. Joining forces from both sides of the aisle, as well as both chambers of our state’s bicameral system of government, these players will take to the field united. The law-makers will play with a great deal of conviction as they bat, run and catch for every one of their constituents to see!

Scheduled participating members of the Ohio General Assembly include:

For detailed information about each member of the Ohio House of Representatives, visit www.house.state.oh.us.

For detailed information about each member of the Ohio Senate, visit www.ohiosenate.gov.

The members of the Ohio General Assembly will challenge the Ohio Village Muffins. The Muffins are the nation’s premiere men’s vintage base ball club. Every one of these players has a passion for history and legend. Dressed in their 1800s uniforms, this roster will present base ball the way that it was invented; long before it became our national pastime. Entrenched in the period, these players of the visiting team will give it their best shot as they take on the Capitol Cannons who have the home field advantage.

Vintage base ball (two words prior to the 1880s), is a game played by the rules and customs of the 19th century. Players, umpires and scorekeepers dress in period attire and play base ball as it was meant to be played. This historic exhibition game is sure to be fast-moving, exciting and a bit hysterical at times for everyone. The game will transport spectators and players to a time when base ball was emerging as the national pastime. 

The historic base ball game will be based on the original rules of the game drawn up by the New York Knickerbocker Club in 1845. Players of both teams will use wooden bats that are no bigger than 2.5 inches in diameter. The ball will be covered by a single piece of leather. Since the ball is so soft, there will be no gloves or protective equipment used. Seven innings are scheduled to be played in about an hour.

Support for this event is provided by the Ohio Lobbying Association, the Capitol Square Foundation and the 1^st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A.