2 min read










 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE FOURTH ANNUAL Vintage Baseball Game, hosted by the Freeport Historical Society with underwriting support form Norway Savings Bank, was held last Sunday at Pettengill Farm in Freeport before several hundred “cranks” (fans). The game featured the Dirigo club out of Augusta and Ipswich, Mass. Prior to the game, music was supplied by the Maine Squeeze and legendary baseball coach Mort Soule recited “Casey at the Bat.” The game was based out of the 1860’s and some of the rules included the hurler (pitcher) throwing underhand from 45 feet away; no strike zone; and only one umpire (on this day Jeff Peart) — he doesn't call balls and strikes and may ask the “cranks” for their opinion before making a call. Also, there are no gloves and an out can be recorded if the ball is caught on the first bound or fly. Back then, “base ball” was a game based on respect and sportsmanship and according to the Society, “Anyone who did not exhibit this behavior was and will be fined 25 cents.” Vintage terms included “Striker to the line” (Batter up), “The batter is dead” (the batter is out), and “That hurler is tossing nothing but Jimjams” (the pitcher is wild). Also, the original shape of home plate was a round circular shape, which the Society said may explain why it is referred to as home plate! In the photos, clockwise from right, a Dirigo fielder just misses this flyball as fans look on; the captain’s compete to see which team will hit first; Soule, wearing a Mudville jersey, talks to fans; the Maine Squeeze perform before the Old Tyme Baseball game; the Dirigo pitcher lets this pitch fly; and umpire Jeff Peart, looking rather dapper, watches this pop up.
THE FOURTH ANNUAL Vintage Baseball Game, hosted by the Freeport Historical Society with underwriting support form Norway Savings Bank, was held last Sunday at Pettengill Farm in Freeport before several hundred “cranks” (fans). The game featured the Dirigo club out of Augusta and Ipswich, Mass. Prior to the game, music was supplied by the Maine Squeeze and legendary baseball coach Mort Soule recited “Casey at the Bat.” The game was based out of the 1860’s and some of the rules included the hurler (pitcher) throwing underhand from 45 feet away; no strike zone; and only one umpire (on this day Jeff Peart) — he doesn’t call balls and strikes and may ask the “cranks” for their opinion before making a call. Also, there are no gloves and an out can be recorded if the ball is caught on the first bound or fly. Back then, “base ball” was a game based on respect and sportsmanship and according to the Society, “Anyone who did not exhibit this behavior was and will be fined 25 cents.” Vintage terms included “Striker to the line” (Batter up), “The batter is dead” (the batter is out), and “That hurler is tossing nothing but Jimjams” (the pitcher is wild). Also, the original shape of home plate was a round circular shape, which the Society said may explain why it is referred to as home plate! In the photos, clockwise from right, a Dirigo fielder just misses this flyball as fans look on; the captain’s compete to see which team will hit first; Soule, wearing a Mudville jersey, talks to fans; the Maine Squeeze perform before the Old Tyme Baseball game; the Dirigo pitcher lets this pitch fly; and umpire Jeff Peart, looking rather dapper, watches this pop up.

Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.