Summer and baseball, Wicomico’s 150th birthday and Civil War era history – we have paired them all! On July 9, beginning at 11 am (or thereabouts) you can enjoy it all at Pemberton Historical Park. Vintage baseball is not your usual game. This one is played in an open field, without gloves, with special bats, and even its own language! Dating from the mid-1800s this is the grand-daddy of modern baseball, different in the way players behave, look, and even talk.
This year’s game follows a tradition begun several years ago by Westside Historical Society when they invited the Easton Fair Play vintage Baseball Club to come play one Sunday afternoon in Mardela Springs. Moving to the field in front of Pemberton Hall seemed a good solution when the Mardela field became unavailable. Easton players agreed to come, but rather than playing against other teams from the Mid-Atlantic Vintage Baseball League, this year their opponents will be two teams of local volunteer “baseball” players! One team organized by Steve Greenwood and one put together by Charlie Echard, both baseball fans from “way back,” these teams may be in for an education! Pemberton Hall Foundation and Westside Historical Society, with Wicomico Parks and Recreation, will jointly sponsor this event, proving that history can be fun!
Families are invited to arrive beginning at 11:00 am, and a short introduction to the game will be given about 11:30. While the teams are “creating” the playing field fans can learn the differences in a ballist, muffin striker, bug bruiser and a dew drop! Even the rules are 19th century! Don’t worry, a program will explain all this, and the players will be glad to translate! Game One begins about 11:30!! Bring your lawn chair or blanket, maybe a sun umbrella, and relax on the grounds in front of Pemberton Hall. Food will be on sale by vendors, and plenty of photo-ops!
AND an extra added treat will be a special exhibit inside Pemberton Hall, in recognition of the County’s 150th Celebration! This beautiful home of one of Salisbury’s founders was built in 1741 and has been carefully restored to that period. But, in photos, artifacts, and other media visitors can experience life there in the mid-1800s. Then the owner was “Capt.” Alison Parsons, the fourth mayor of Salisbury. Parsons was a colorful character, to say the least, and the story of his Civil War antics will be entertaining. The exhibit is free, so don’t miss it! This is living history at its best!
Admission to the game is $5 for the carload – so tuck in all the kiddies. They will love it too! All proceeds from these games go to Westside Historical Society and Pemberton Hall Foundation to fund their public and education programming. For more information, email either westsidehistorical@gmail.com or pembertonhallfound@gmail.com , or phone 443-235-9616 , 443-783-9612, or 410-726-8047.
Vintage Baseball comes to Salisbury
