A friendly game of baseball, 1861 style

When the Thames Base Ball Club hosted the Lyme Taverners on the lawn of Fort Trumbull State Park in New London, their game recalled an earlier era when sportsmanship and gentlemanly play was prized. Vintage baseball teams play by 1861 rules with a handmade ball and no gloves. And while players still have the competitive spirit, most prize camaraderie among teammates and opponents over being the winner according to the scoreboard.

[CodyBanhammer]

Girl: u play any sports?
Boy: yah
Girl: wot u play
Boy: 1861 baseball m9

[jdmusic]

"who wants to play first base?"

[droopyballbag]

Cricketers never complain about lack of gloves.

[thesharinganknight]

This is why us guys are superior, we know how to have good, genuine, fun.

[ezpz]

This is way more entertaining than new baseball

[paulsoto]

Would love to do this here in texas. Know if there is such a club here?

[i_own_adog]

Imagine Manny Machado saying, "Mr umpire I'd like to call him safe"

[thegreatcalvinio]

Don’t tell them now, but the Confederates just bombed Fort Sumter.

[delilahvidales]

Can’t believe that they found this 1861 footage it’s unbelievable

[wyattmueller]

Three cheers for William over here for breaking the record of least errors in a game 17!
*HIP! HIP! HUZZAH!*
*HIP! HIP! HUZZAH!*
*HIP! HIP! HUZZAH!*

[JHipp]

Edward Baker died in 2017 and was a A+ caliber human being. I primarily knew him in the context of our extended New England church community and didn't expect to come face-to-face with him when I clicked on some random old-timey baseball youtube video. I'm not sure what era of baseball they play in our eternal home, but Edward, I'm sure you have good seats, regardless.

[Surreal_]

Great video. Little known fact: The first video camera was invented in the 1850s. That's how the MLB was able to capture footage of games during the 1860s.

[rickywildcats]

The way this is filmed makes it look like a scene from the office

[inquizition]

wow the video quality is amazing for being over 160 years ago

[baseballdudeofficial]

That "catching off one bounce is an out" was something i never knew...

[coreyritter]

I saw no one with a flask or smoking a dart on the bench. This is false.

[kwaitefuni]

Seems pretty fun.
I always thought gloves were part of the game since the beginning as a core element (like a ball or bat).
Cool to learn something new.

[jaborisx]

Imagine not understanding these 25 comments

[johnnysullivan]

Those 1860 edition Under Armor cleats were pretty rad

[GoBirds]

*2:24* Michael Scott gets thrown out at 3rd