The third annual Vintage Baseball Exhibition in Malta turned Lions Park into a living museum of 19th‑century baseball, as the Oregon Ganymedes faced off against the Creston Regulators under rules that have not been used in organized play for more than a century.
Rules That Transport Players Back in Time
The game adhered strictly to 1860s conventions: pitches were delivered underhand with a soft, lemon‑peel‑stamped ball, outs could be recorded on a single bounce, and fielders caught balls without gloves, relying on bare hands to secure the leather.
Uniforms reflected the era, with players donning curated period attire and sporting nicknames such as “Fireball” and “Wolfman” instead of numbers, while captain Mark Herman, who also served as umpire, narrated the action in period‑appropriate dress.
A Community Celebration
Spectators enjoyed concessions supplied by the Malta Lions Club, featuring peanuts, Cracker Jacks and hot dogs, adding a nostalgic flavor to the modern gathering.
The exhibition was more than a novelty; it underscored a growing interest in preserving baseball’s early traditions, a sentiment echoed by organizers who view the event as a bridge between past and present.
Looking Toward the World Tournament
The Ganymedes are slated to travel to Dearborn, Michigan, on August 8 to compete in the World Tournament of Historic Baseball, where they will meet the Flat Rock Michigan Bear Clan at 11 a.m. and the Greenfield Village Michigan Nationals at 2 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Regulators will head to Cantigny Park in Wheaton, Illinois, on August 16 to take on the DuPage County Plowboys at noon, continuing the circuit of historic matchups.