The Fairfield Museum took Fairfielders out to the ball game Wednesday night, but it was the game the way it was played in the early 19th century. Baseball's predecessor was called town ball back then, and it was a true community event.
"It was a game played like we have tonight, the community just wanted to get together and play a ball and stick game," said baseball historian Bruce Reinholdt, the event's organizer.
The exhibition game was part of the museum's "It's a Hit: A Hometown View of Our National Pastime," a celebration of baseball in the Fairfield and Bridgeport area. It was originally scheduled for mid-July, but postponed because of rain.
Reinholdt, a Central Connecticut State University professor and town ball buff, said that in the old-fashioned game, all struck balls are in play. He brought along two reproduction balls, borrowed from the Gunn Museum in Washington, Conn., that were similar to the originals. He started the game by pitching the ball to the players, community members Reinholdt invited to "Play ball!" He then sat back and serves as the umpire, letting the game play out as if it were taking place in the 19th century.
The "It's a Hit" exhibition continues until Jan. 2011 and includes memorabilia from Connecticut town leagues, industrial leagues, little leagues and local professional players. The museum gift shop is selling special baseball-related items. The game was co-sponsored by fcbuzz.org and funded by a grant from the Connecticut Humanities Council. GE, The Bank of Fairfield, Bridgeport Bluefish, WSHU and Fairfield University were co-sponsors.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Fairfield and receive free news updates.