Vintage Team Gathers at Jefferson Barracks for 1860s Baseball

They play in long sleeves and pants and don’t use gloves, catching fly balls with their bare hands. They play with wooden bats and pitch underhand. They play in a time where an out is called a hand and the umpire is known as the arbitrator.

They are the St. Louis Unions, and they’re part of a network of teams across the Midwest who play base ball with the rules from the 1860s. Yes, it was called base ball. 

“Our marquee is all about gentlemanly play,” said Unions Captain Matt “Scoops” Lurk. “We’re more respectful toward the opposite team, we congratulate each other.”

Saturday, the Unions faced the Clarkes, from Murphysboro, IL. In over 100-degree heat, the two teams battled each other for two games, ending in a 1-1 split.

Teams in the league use the vernacular of the age; they shout “Huzzah!” when someone scores, and enthusiastic play is known as ginger.

The challenges of not wearing gloves leads to frequent broken fingers and hands, and the wooden bats make home runs a more precise science. 

But Lurk said he liked the atmosphere of the game more than typical baseball or softball.

“It’s just a more positive setting,” he said. “Everyone shakes hands before and after the game as opposed to rah-rahs and high fives.”

Established in 2004,  the Unions are 16-8 for the season and next play at 1 p.m. Aug. 6 at by the Visitors’ Center.

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