Francis Scott Key Throws First Pitch in Charlestown Civil War-Era Baseball Game

Francis Scott Key (aka Catonsville resident Fred Taylor) threw the first pitch to Charlestown resident Bert Clegern to start a Civil War-era baseball game held Sunday, September 14,  on the Charlestown retirement community campus in Catonsville.

The game was played between the Ann Arundel County Excelsior Baseball Club and the Philadelphia Athletics in period uniforms under 1862 rules.

It was held to celebrate the love of baseball, the 200th anniversary of The Star-Spangled Banner and the First- Place AL East Baltimore Orioles.

Accompanying Mr. Key were (left-right) Civil War re-enactors Kendra Hurt, Linda Bell and Paul Bell from Salem Lutheran Church in Catonsville.

Charlestown residents who are members of their campus softball team played in the game for the first two innings.

More than 100 residents and their families, as well as the general public, watched the afternoon game in picnic fashion (photo by Mel Tansill).