A Glimpse Into Baseball’s Early Days
On June 20, the Bay Shore‑Brightwaters Public Library will open its grounds for a second annual Baseball Day, inviting the community to step back into the 19th century for a uniquely historic match.
Playing by 1864 Rules
The centerpiece of the celebration is a vintage game that pits the Brooklyn Atlantics against the New York Mutuals, two clubs that recreate the rules and equipment of 1864, when baseballs were larger, bats were longer and players went without gloves.
The contest will be staged on the field directly across from the library, a spot that once housed the Brightwaters Casino, adding a layer of local nostalgia to the proceedings.
Teams and Their Home Grounds
Both teams bring more than just period gear; the Atlantics call the Smithtown Historical Society’s Atlantic Park home, while the Mutuals play out of Old Bethpage Village Restoration, venues that themselves echo the sport’s early roots.
Frank Van Zant, a retired educator and poet who serves as one of the Atlantics’ captains, and Tom Fesolowich, a former New York City school teacher and the founder and president of the Mutuals, have helped shape the rosters that will take the field, each team boasting a schedule of 50 to 60 games a year in the Atlantic League.
Community Collaboration
The event is organized in partnership with the Village of Brightwaters and the Brightwaters Historical Society, and it will feature live music, complimentary baseball cards of the players, and free admission for all attendees.
Beyond the novelty of playing without modern protective gear, the day serves as a reminder of how the game has evolved while honoring the community’s cultural and educational heritage, themes that resonate with the library’s mission.