They call it ‘base ball’

Vintage base ball opens Saturday in Fort Oglethorpe

Local clubs in the Tennessee Association of Vintage Base Ball — yes, this league spells baseball in two words — open their 2018 season at the 6th Cavalry Museum and polo field on Barnhardt Circle in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 24.

Mountain City of Chattanooga will play the Highland Rim Distillers at noon followed by the Lightfoot Club of Chattanooga vs. Oak Hill Travelers at 2:30 p.m. Spectators should bring a lawn chair or blanket as there is no bleacher seating.

Vintage base ball is played with rules, equipment, costumes and culture of the 1860s. Players are all volunteers. The game, called a match, is played with wooden bats and no gloves.

In conjunction with opening day, t he 6th Cavalry Museum will hold Living History Day. Military re- enactors will show the soldier’s life with encampments, equipment, weapons and more. These living historians will engage visitors and answer questions on the polo field.

Outdoor arts a nd crafts vendors will be part of the festivities. Musician Matt Downer will play period music.

“The season opener is always exciting, but this year promises to be even better,” said Chris McKeever, museum director. “You’ll get to watch vintage base ball, shop with our arts and crafts vendors, tour the museum and take a step back in time to learn about Fort Oglethorpe’s unique military history — and it’s all absolutely free.”

For more information: www.6thcavalrymuseum. org.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Lightfoot Club’s Rob “Bear” Baehr at the plate.