Vintage baseball game set for Saturday

Competing in well-documented uniforms inspired by those worn by the original 1860s Waukesha Diamonds, the Eagle Diamond players at Old World Wisconsin use the same rules of that era. (Mike Morbeck photo)

Old World Wisconsin will host the final vintage baseball game of the museum’s 2012 season on Saturday, Aug. 25 at 1:30 p.m. as the Eagle Diamonds take on the Greenbush Dead Citys

The teams play by 1860s rules, when the game’s name was spelled with two words. Vintage baseball incorporates historical details enjoyed by both players (ballists) and fans (cranks).

Players in baggy uniforms wield fat-handled bats at lemon peel-stitched balls. No one wears gloves and there are no strike zones.

Above all, it’s a gentleman’s game in which there is no showboating or taunting, and the umpire is always addressed as “sir.”

The Eagle Diamonds, based on the 1860s Waukesha Diamonds team, formed in 2005 at Old World Wisconsin. The team will complete its eighth season of play on Saturday.

Admission to the game is free with museum admission.

Museum admission is $16 for adults, $14 for students and seniors (65 and older), $9 for children 5-17 and free for children younger than 5. Family admission (up to two adults and two or more dependent children 5-17 is $43.

Baseball carload pricing is in effect during vintage ball games, ($43 admits up to nine people).

Old World Wisconsin is located at W372 S9727 Highway 67, Eagle.

For more information, call (262) 594-6300 or visit www.oldworldwisconsin.org.

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