By Jared Curtis

Photo courtesy of Living History Farms: The Walnut Hill Bluestockings compete in 1870s rules baseball at Living History Farms. The final game of the season is Sunday, Sept. 9 starting at 1:30 p.m. The game is free with a paid admission to Living History Farms. If your volunteer team is interested in playing the Bluestockings, contact Jan at (515) 278-5286. For more information, visit http://www.lhf.org.

Take a trip back in time with 1870s style baseball

As summer comes to a close, so does the baseball season. And although the Iowa Cubs are done with home games for the year, you have one more chance to hear the crack of the bat, even if you have to step back in time to do it, as the Walnut Hill Bluestockings hold their final game of the season at Living History Farms on Sunday, Sept. 9.

“I got involved with the team when I started working at Living History Farms in 2006. I learned the rule differences and background of the sport as I worked with the baseball manager preparing outreach programs for local schools,” said team captain Aaron Haywood. “I began playing with the team, and last season I was asked to be the captain. Our goal now is to build a consistent group of volunteer players to demonstrate at least one full game per month for the visitors of Living History Farms.”

According to Haywood, the game is played a little different than baseball today. The batter is called a “striker,” and he is allowed to request the height of his pitch prior to stepping to the plate. The pitcher, also known as the “hurler,” pitches the ball underhand. A strike is only called when the striker swings and misses or refuses to swing at acceptable pitches. The players don’t use gloves, so a one-bounce rule is in play with a fly ball being caught on the first bounce considered an out. Also, the home team doesn’t take the field first, as the visiting team provides the ball and a coin toss determines which team bats first.

“Amateur 1870s rules baseball didn’t have the hard and fast rules like today’s game, but the major differences are pretty obvious to people that watch us play,” Haywood said. “Playing with no glove takes some getting used to. The one-bounce rule helps, but players are encouraged to catch the ball on the fly, rather than the ‘boyish’ way of letting it bounce.”

Games are played once a month at Living History Farms and feature a full nine innings, but you’re bound to see more runs scored than at a current game.

“There are very few strikeouts, and it’s hard to catch a fly ball without a glove, so nearly every batter will get on base, which makes for a very high scoring game,” Haywood said.

Haywood has found both easier and tougher aspects of playing 1870s style baseball compared to today’s game.

“I find making contact with the ball is easier, since the pitches are slower and you can wait for your pitch without swinging at everything. But fielding hits and throws from teammates in the field is difficult without gloves,” he said. “Since there isn’t as much power hitting involved, there is more finesse required by the batter to place the ball where it is difficult for the defense to make a play.”

At the end of the game, kids in the audience are encouraged to take a swing and run the bases, offering a fun and educational afternoon.

“Getting a chance to bat and run the bases is an experience most kids will take home and remember,” Haywood said. “Living History Farms has always encouraged a hands-on approach to teaching visitors about the past, and watching the Walnut Hill Bluestockings play is a memorable experience for the entire family.” CV