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The Wood County (Ohio) Infirmary Inmates and The Great Black Swamp Frogs (Sylvania, Ohio) end their summer schedules September 27 with a home game under the lights versus Carey Cayugas at Ned Skeldon Stadium, Maumee, Ohio and at Wildwood Metropark, Toledo, Ohio against the Kent Base Ball Club, respectively. The clubs are charter members of the national Vintage Base Ball Association.
Wood County Historical Center and Museum
The Wood County Historical Center and Museum at 13660 County Home Road, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402 has associated itself with vintage base ball since 2004. The Wood County Infirmary Inmates are part of the center's outreach program in adult education, and the team's roster is open to anyone aged 16 and older.
The center's historical objective is to educate the area populace about activities held in the 1800s. Base ball (spelled as two words in its beginnings) was a popular sport declared to be a gentlemanly amateur's game in which persons participated to enjoy the outdoors and to emphasize the benefits of physical exercise.
Infirmary Inmates Are Not Prisoners
The Wood County Infirmary Inmates are quick to point out that they were never prisoners. From 1869-1971, the Wood County Historical Museum was the County Home, or Infirmary. It's residents were called inmates, and the vintage diamond performers adopted the nickname "Inmates" for their traveling base ball club as part of their attempt to preserve history.
The team members today dress in vintage uniforms and use 1860s base ball rules, which differ quite a lot from those of the modern game.
The Great Black Swamp Frogs
Northwestern Ohio was once referred to as The Great Black Swamp because much of it was under water like the Florida Everglades. Toledo then sported the nickname "Frogtown". The two monikers put together formed the name for the Sylvania vintage base ball club.
Today's Frogs and their families gather for base ball games as social recreation. Players wear uniforms authentic to the attire used by base ball participants from 1866 Baraboo, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin uniform is displayed in the Cooperstown, New York Baseball Hall of Fame. The uniform of the 1859 New York Knickerbocker Base Ball Club, also in the Hall of Fame, lends to the Frogs' vintage clothing choice, as well.
Some Major Rule Differences of the 1860s
Forbidden: swearing, spitting, scratching, consumption of alcohol, chewing of tobacco, wagering, and arguing with umpires during play.
Pitches are thrown underhanded to the batter (called the striker).
No gloves, or mitts are used.
A fly ball may be caught, or fielded on one bounce to get the striker out.
A shortstop may play between 2nd and 3rd base, or between 1st and 2nd base.
A run scored is called an Ace, which is announced to the fans (called Cranks) by the player scoring the run ringing an iron bell that has been installed by the chalk scoreboard.
Foul balls are not strikes -- three swinging strikes equal one out.
Sliding into bases is not practiced.
Education Programs Coordinator Michael McMaster of the Wood County Historical Center is available to answer questions about vintage base ball at 1-419-32-0967.
BarbaraAnne Helberg - Barbara Anne Helberg, Supporter of Better Lives for Animals and Clean, Spirited, Competitive Sports
