Are you a ball player who wants to make history?

Part of a fun-loving cult that plays the sport by the official rules of 1864, the Monmouth Furnace Base Ball (two words back then) Club is seeking additional players for this season.

The team is the local member in the Mid-Atlantic Vintage Base Ball League. It has been attracting fans to its entertaining weekend games around the Jersey Shore for four years.

“We make history come alive on the diamond by swinging wood bats at underhand pitches and fielding the ball on one bounce without gloves,” explained Russ McIver, the team captain. “Our fast-paced games authentically demonstrate the roots of modern-day baseball. It's the purest form of the game."

Monmouth Furnace players come from all over the county and beyond. They compete against teams from New Brunswick, Flemington, Elizabeth, Hoboken and nearby states.

"We're looking for a few more people between 18 and 75 who want to have old-fashioned enjoyment on the field ," he added. "They can be 'muffins' (rookies) or 'corkers' (good players)."

Spring training is now getting underway, with new players being encouraged to join the team at its practice sessions.

The Monmouth Furnace club often plays Sundays at historic sites such as Allaire Village, Batsto and the Parker Homestead in Little Silver. (Monmouth Furnace was the original name of the Wall Township business that became Allaire Iron Works in the 1800s.)

Prospective players can get information at 732-859-7643 or furnace@monmouth.com.