Vintage Base Ball is base ball (yes, it was two words originally) played by the rules and customs of an earlier period. Ballists don period uniforms and recreate the game 'as it was meant to be played.’ The Lakewood Historical Society will host a vintage base ball double-header between the Akron Blackstockings and local dignitaries, including Councilmen Ryan Demro and Kevin Butler on Sunday July 15 at 1 p.m. at the Oldest Stone House field in Lakewood Park.

The mid-nineteenth century game was considerably different than today’s game. Ballists played with bare hands until the 1880s and balls caught on one bound were outs until the mid-1860s. Balls are considered fair by where the ball first touches the ground. That is, a ball hit in front of home plate then spins into foul territory is still a fair ball. There are numerous other differences, but modern spectators will still recognize our national pastime.

Historian Scott Longert brings the early history of Cleveland baseball alive during this wonderful presentation that features film, audio and photographs. The program is a comprehensive look at the history of professional baseball in Cleveland from 1869 to 1920. It covers our first professional team, the Cleveland Forest Citys to the World Champion Cleveland Indians of 1920. Learn how Cleveland became a charter member of the American League in 1901 and the circumstances that lead to Cleveland's first World Series. Key players are discussed including Cy Young, Napoleon Lajoie and Tris Speaker. Audio and rare film will accompany the program. This program will be on Wednesday, July 18 at 7 p.m. at the Women’s Pavilion in Lakewood Park.

Scott Longert is the Associate Curator of Sports History at the Western Reserve Historical Society. He has an M A. degree in history from Cleveland State University. Longert is the author of King of the Pitchers, the biography of Cleveland Hall of Fame pitcher Addie Joss. He has written articles for The National Pastime Magazine, TimeLine, and the Baseball Research Journal.

Both events are free and open to the public. For more information on the events, call 221-7343. For more information on vintage base ball, check out www.vbba.org.