Vintage Base Ball Reigns in Stillwater

Seven Vintage Base Ball Clubs from Minnesota gathered in Stillwater on Saturday July 20th to exhibit the game as it was meant to be played. Clubs from Mankato, Rochester, Arlington and around the Twin Cities played one hour exhibition matches for crowds of more than 300 fans that lined the baselines and cheered the great display of defense and hitting.

Even though some of the matches seemed one sided by the final score, all the matches were played close and only a defensive miscue or long fly hit made the difference in the match. The first match had Afton Red Socks vs. Mankato Baltics. The Baltics were able to tally five aces against the tough defense of Afton and defeated Afton 5 to 0. The Arlington Greys then defeated the Rochester Roosters in a close match, 5 to 4. The Rum River Rovers, a new vintage club this year, lost to the Mankato Baltics by the score of 8 to 5.

One of the featured matches took place at the 1 O’clock hour when the Quicksteps crossed bats with the St. Croix Base Ball Club. This was the 16th match at this event for the two clubs and this year the Quicksteps defeated the St. Croix’s by the score of 8 to 2.

Arlington, a tough club from southern Minnesota, defeated the Afton Red Socks 10 to 4 and then the St. Croix’s crossed bats with the Rochester Roosters. Down to their final out and the game on the line, the St. Croix’s tallied five aces and defeated the Roosters by the score of 9 to 6.

The final match of the day pitted the Rovers vs. the Quicksteps. The long layoff affected the Quicksteps hitters and the Rovers took advantage of a few miscues in the outfield by the Quicksteps to win the match by the score of 15 to 0. 

After the matches the teams gathered for some food and beverage and recapped the days events on the diamond. For more information about the Vintage Base Ball Club near you visit the Washington County Historical Society website at www.wchsmn.org and click into the vintage base ball section.