A vintage 1860’s baseball game was played on the grounds of the historic homestead Sunday afternoon between the Emporia Howe House Griffins and Topeka Westerns. Both teams play in a four-club league which consists of a 20 game season from August to September each year.
The game is played under the rules of 1860 which means there is no stealing, sliding, and only swings result in strikes meaning a batter can go until they strike out or get a hit. Griffins player Rick Buck says they have players from several different backgrounds who all find the slower pace much more enjoyable.
Another aspect of the game carried over from the 1860’s is in the event a pitch hits the batter, the pitcher is then expected to tip their hat and apologize before play resumes. Westerns’ manager and pitcher Steve Dodson says it is very much a gentleman’s game built on respect.
Emporia has hosted several of these vintage-style games since 2010 and plays home to two teams, the Griffins and the William Allen White Stockings. The Howe House will be hosting another game in September to celebrate the houses 150th anniversary.
For more information or to join the vintage teams contact the Lyon County History Center at 340-6310 or visit them at 711 Commercial Street.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon and Brandon Peoples/KVOE News
{gallery}Howe House Baseball 2018{/gallery}
