Vintage Base Ball Coming to Fergus Falls

Vintage Base Ball has become increasingly popular in places east of Minnesota like Illinois, Missouri, Michigan and Ohio and soon it will be happening in Fergus Falls.

Eric Berg, who is originally from Wilkin County, and has played for the Vintage Base Ball team the Springfield Long Nine for nine years, says,  “It really brings you in and really gives you an appreciation of the roots of the game…It’s a really fun time for anyone who wants to follow baseball.”

On June 12^th, the public is invited to watch Vintage Base Ball in Fergus Falls, which will feature the Rochester Roosters taking on locals with rules from 1858 (one of the first set of rules). Currently, the event is set to happen at Delagoon Park, but Berg is hoping to be able to have it moved to the space that is on the Northside of the former state hospital to give it even more of a feel for that time period.

Attendees will get experience action that will look a little different then a modern-day baseball game. This includes no gloves being worn in the field and players being able to catch the ball on a bounce for an out.

Berg mentioned that on the day of the event he will be walking around as Squarehead (his nickname). He explained, “I’ll be wandering around. I’ll have brochures that explain the game and I’ll be in my uniform.” He added, “I’ll have a baseball with me and maybe a bat so people can see those and I’ll be able to answer questions.” Other people, like the umpires, will be there too, helping fans understand the game.

The hope is that Vintage Base Ball will continue to grow and spread to places like Fergus Falls. Berg said that one of the key elements to get a vintage team going is to have it associated with a really solid historical society. He said, “I’ve just continued to be impressed by the folks that run the Otter Tail County Historical Society, so if we gather enough interest in this, I think we could get a team started in Fergus.” According to Berg, there needs to be about 15 or 20 committed players and most teams play about 12-15 dates a season.

For more information about Vintage Base Ball click  here

Photo from vbba.org