Americans have enjoyed base ball (as it was spelled in the 1800s) for nearly 200 years. From strikes to balls and outs to fouls, generations of Americans have witnessed the game's evolution. Now, Genesee Country Village & Museum is bringing part of that evolution to life with a comprehensive 19th-century base ball program, including the first replica 19th-century base ball park in America. Visitors will see, hear, touch and taste base ball on its rise to national pastime status.

Two—and sometimes four—of the museum's six ladies' and men's teams, dressed in period-style uniforms, face off each Saturday and Sunday in Silver Base Ball Park, playing with period-appropriate equipment and by 1866 rules. The park also includes: bleachers; an outfield fence sporting period-style advertising; a manual scoreboard operated by two young lads on scaffolding; a press box; a tower for the tallykeeper and announcer; special seating for unattended young ladies; and a refreshment tent serving peanuts, birch beer and other period-appropriate food. Visitors will also meet and interact with the players as well as members of the press, the umpire, the hawker selling his snacks, the unattended young ladies there to keep the game respectable and the rest of the fans.

The inaugural season of 19th-century base ball began on Aug. 11, 2001. After a hard-fought season that concluded at the museum's Agricultural Society Fair, the Rochesters emerged in 2001 as the undefeated champions. Their names were the first inscribed on the Mayor's Cup. Another exciting season of 19th-century base ball unfolds in 2007 with an extra month of play and the museum again hosting the National Silver Ball Tournament August 10-12. Opening day is Sunday, May 20.

The museum also fields two ladies' teams—Priscilla Porter’s Astonishing Ladies Base Ball Club and the Brooks Grove Belles. They appear in a series of public matches on the Great Meadow throughout the year.

To fully enjoy the game, familiarity with the Rules of the Game and Base Ball Slang will be helpful.

Read about the History of Base Ball, view some Base Ball Team Photographs and check out this year's Schedule.

Period-appropriate base ball shoes produced for Genesee Country Village & Museum by P.W. Minor & Son are available for purchase. These shoes are made from the finest materials and incorporate the look of 19th-century footwear, while providing solid support and proper traction. Cost is $155 per pair plus $12 UPS shipping. Download order form.