Vintage Baseball Steps To The Plate On Memorial Day In Newtown

NEWTOWN, PA — Vintage baseball returns to Pickering Field at Jefferson and North Chancellor
streets on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27.

The step back in time begins at 12 p.m. weather permitting with the posting of the colors by the American Legion Post 440 Color Guard and the singing of the National Anthem and God Bless America.

Newtown Borough Mayor John Burke will throw out the first pitch in a game that will see the Newtown Strake take on the visiting Neshanock Base Ball Club of Flemington, N.J. in a vintage ball game played by 1864 rules.

“The Neshanock play about 45 games a year and this (Pickering Field) is their favorite venue by far. They tell us that every year. They love coming back,” said Bob Musto, of the Council Rock Newtown Athletic Association, which organizes the game.

The teams will play by 19th century rules - pitching is underhand; players are not allowed to
overrun first base; three balls are a walk; and catching the ball on one bounce is considered an out, although not a “manly” out.

“It’s an absolute blast to play,” says Musto, who plays for the Strakes. “Some of the guys we play against are 75 or 80 years old. It’s truly amazing to me how good they are, how athletic and how skilled they are at the game.

“And to be at Pickering Field on Memorial Day and to play before the crowds that we get, it’s really an awesome, awesome day,” said Musto.

During the seventh inning, the poem “Casey at the Bat” will be read and everyone will have a chance to stretch. The game will also include the traditional singing of the baseball anthem, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”

The event is free and open to the public