By C.D. DESALVO
Hays Post
A vintage base ball game will take place this Saturday, August 26th, at historic Fort Hays. The event is the fifth program in a series of events to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Fort Hays in its present location.
The game will follow brief presentations about “base ball” (originally spelled as two words) games played by soldiers stationed in the region and the nature of the evolving rules of early base ball. The Friends of Historic Fort Hays will sell copies of the recently published book, Kansas Baseball, 1858–1941, and author Mark Eberle will be available to sign copies of the book.
After the Civil War, soldiers stationed at various posts in Kansas played base ball to break the monotony of their daily routine and for the pure fun of the sport. Among these base ballists were soldiers of the US Cavalry and Infantry stationed at posts in northwestern Kansas along the Smoky Hill Trail, principally Forts Harker, Hays, and Wallace.
The game will feature The Westerns Base Ball Club of Topeka and the Fort Hays Base Ball Club (made up of local citizens of Hays).
“The Westerns Base Ball Club of Topeka actually does vintage base ball. They go to tournaments and things like that but they also come to events like this to educate people and give them a chance to see what base ball was like,” said Eberle. “Some of it is a little different so they’ll have someone explain those things as we go along and as we get started.”
Just like in the late 1800’s, the game will be played on a makeshift field at historic Fort Hays.
“What they would have done is they would have played in the old parade ground which isn’t really all in tact because the bypass cut part of that off,” said Eberle. “There’s a big open area with the visitor’s center and the officer’s quarters and the block house and those things form four sides to a big open area and that’s where we are going to play, just out in the Buffalo grass around the old historic buildings.”
From 1867 through 1887, games were played by soldiers stationed at the forts, whose opponents included other soldiers, civilian teams, and even American Indians. The first game reported at Fort Hays was played in 1869, although few details are known. Thus, the rules to be used at the vintage base ball game will be taken from that year.
“There was no pitcher’s mound and they pitched under-handed with a stiff arm,” said Eberle. “It was really more about offense and the pitcher was more of a minor player back then. It was about putting the ball up there and seeing what can happen.”
A couple other differences from today’s game that you will see are glove-less defenders and no running through first base for the offense.
“There were no gloves, it was basically all bare-handed,” said Eberle. “Nowadays when you are running to first base, you just run as fast as you can and as long as you turn toward the foul line you can run past first base and they can’t tag you out. You’ll get tagged out in this game.”
Admission is free so bring your lawn chair and umbrella and enjoy an afternoon of vintage base ball.
“This is all for fun and education so we may end up laughing as much as we cheer, who knows,” said Eberle. “This isn’t serious, everyone will try their best but we are all out there to have a good time playing and watching.”
The event will be this Saturday from 1 PM – 3 PM, at the Fort Hays State Historic Site, 1472 US Highway 183 Alternate.