Vintage Baseball Essex Base Ball Club

Looking for the perfect day with family? We’ve got it for you. Plan a day with the family to go back in time to the 1800’s and experience America’s favorite past-time …. baseball!

Here at Mom’s Lifesavers we love baseball – all kinds of baseball, local leagues, little leagues, big leagues and now vintage leagues. We packed up a blanket, some sunscreen, a chair or two and headed to Spencer Pierce Little Farm to experience 19th Century Base Ball with the Essex Base Ball Club. What a perfect day!

This beautiful farm is the perfect backdrop for game day. There is plenty for the kids to see and do – they’ll love all the farm animals, and on game days there are food and drink vendors as well as historical demonstration, live music and home tours.

Kick back, relax and enjoy base ball in a wonderful setting that will take you back in time.

Base Ball in 1864

From the authentic uniforms and what little equipment there is – no gloves are used – that’s right, no gloves – this is a game that moves fast and has a set of rules unlike it’s modern relative that we are so familiar with.

But don’t worry, the teams will make you feel comfortable and even provide you with a copy of the abridged rules* (so you can follow along) a full schedule and even a bit of gum.

In this game there is only one umpire and spectators, known as cranks, must behave. Historically, if you did not act like a lady or gentleman, you could be fined 25 cents.  The hurler, who we would call a pitcher these days, throws the ball underhand and the hurlers ‘mound’ is located 45 feet from home base. Today the pitchers mound is 60 feet, 6 inches from home plate.

Enjoy a game and learn a few new expressions like “That hurler is tolling nothing by jimjams.” – translation, ” The pitcher is wild.”

* Rules, terms and organization information taken from the 2016 Essex Base Ball Club 19th Century Base Ball Association handout

The Essex Base Ball Club was founded in 2002 by the Danvers Historical Society and travels all over the East Coast playing tournaments. We are so happy to have them right here on the North Shore. The Essex Base Ball Organization has 4 ball clubs:

• Lynn Live Oaks
• Lowell Base Ball Club
• Rockingham’s of Portsmouth
• Newburyport Clamdiggers

If you are interested in history and baseball, this is the place to be.

The Essex Base Ball Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization you can find them online and on facebook.