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In 1981, the Ohio Village Muffins began to play base ball (historically two
words) as it had been played by the New York Knickerbockers, the first club to write down the rules of
what has become modern baseball. They organized their gentlemen's club in 1845 in Brooklyn, New York,
and played what is widely acknowledged to be the first base ball match the following year with a group
called the New York Nine. Base ball then began to spread, first to other clubs in the New York area
and then to New England and the East Coast. Finally the Civil War of 1861-'65 took the game to the
nation as soldiers played base ball with local townspeople, in prison camps, and to relieve boredom
between battles. The emphasis in the early game was on courtesy among the gentlemen and, occasionally,
ladies, playing the sport for exercise. Initially, only a few rules governed a match. The rest was
left up to the umpire, who judged players' actions by the gentlemanly code of the Victorians. It was
played in a non-competitive atmosphere where fans cheered for good plays by either side. Come back in
time with us as the Ohio Village Muffins and the Diamonds Ladies base ball clubs re-create this
gentler time when the sport was young.
For information on joining the Ohio Village Muffins/Diamonds Program or the winter
training seminars contact Connie Bodner at the Ohio Historical Center in Columbus. She can be
reached at 614-297-2659 or via e-mail (cbodner@ohiohistory.org).
News
Muffins/Diamond Program Seeks New Volunteers
Before each new playing year begins this OHS volunteer group accepts new volunteers. Sideline
interpreters, score keepers, and umpires are always needed, and are added during anytime of the
playing year. While Diamonds can join at anytime during the playing season it is preferred they begin
taking part at the Winter Seminars. No new Muffin players are added after the playing season begins.
Prospective Muffin players will be asked to take part in an on the field tryout. All Muffins and
Diamonds regardless of the roles they fill are strongly urged to attend the program's winter training
seminars.
Winter Seminars
The winter seminars seek to familiarize program members with types of interpretation, base ball of the
1860's, vintage base ball as it is being played today, the Historical Center and Ohio Village, and the
time period of the 1860's. Volunteers of the Muffin/Diamond Program are expected to attend as many of
these seminars as is possible. As participation points can be a factor in Muffins being able to play
in matches, it is a great benefit to Muffin players to attend the seminars.
Links
The following are links related to Vintage Base Ball:
The Rules of 1860
From the Rules and Regulations of the Game of Base Ball Adopted by the National Association of
Base-Ball Players March 14, 1860:
- The ball is pitched underhanded from anywhere behind the pitcher's line.
- The batsman must stand on or straddle a line through home plate.
- The pitcher must deliver the ball as requested by the batsman, who holds out the bat to indicate
where the ball is to be sent.
- Pitches are not judged as balls or strikes, but the umpire may call a strike if the batsman
persists in not swinging at well-pitched balls.
- The ball is judged fair or foul according to where it first touches the ground (people,
structures, and trees don't count as the ground).
- Articles of clothing such as a hat or mittens may not be used to catch a ball.
- An out is declared if
- a hit ball is caught on the fly or the first bound, including foul ticks to the catcher.
- a batsman misses swinging at three pitched balls and the third strike is caught by the catcher on
the fly or first bound. If the catcher misses the pitch, the umpire will declare the ball to be fair
and the batsman must make his run to first base.
- a ball arrives in the hands of a baseman whose foot is upon the base prior to a base runner who is
required to make that base.
- a ball in the hands of an adversary touches a base runner not safely on his base.
- a base runner does not return to his original base before a caught fly ball reaches the same base.
- a base runner overruns any base and is touched by the ball in the hands of an adversary.
- A base runner may not advance on any foul ball and must return to his original base. He may be
tagged out if not there after the ball has been settled in the hands of the pitcher.
- A base runner may advance at his own risk on a fair ball caught on the bound.
- A base runner may advance after a fair fly ball is caught provided he has tagged his most recent
base after the ball is in the hands of the fielder.
- A base runner must run for the next base if the ball is hit, and the force remains on even if an
out is made behind the advancing runner.
Customs of the Time
- Uncivil language, ungentlemanly behavior, spitting, or any actions that would offend a lady are
not tolerated on pain of a fine of up to a week's wages.
- After scoring an ace, a base runner must report to the tallykeeper for the run to count.
- Infielders should play several steps in front of their base. The shortstop plays inside the
baseline but may play on either side of the second base. Outfielders play in the center of their
field, shaded neither to left nor right; they may play in or out as required by a batsman's ability.
- The first batsman called to the line in the following inning is the person in the striking order
after the player who made the last out, even if the last out was made by an advancing base runner.
- There is no bunting or sliding.
- The fans cheer teams on with loud "huzzas" for a good play by either side. Running to
first would be urged by, "Leg it, leg it, leg it." Hand shakes from opponents and a good
word are earned by a ballist making an exceptional play.
- A fine repast and sharing of good fellowship, cigars, and fine liquors follow a match.
Muffin Conventions
- The call "Striker to the Line" indicates that the next batsman should appear at home
plate.
- A tally bell announces aces (runs) to the crowd.
- A base runner may take a lead from his base but cannot advance until the ball passes the batsman.
The base runner must be motionless when the pitcher delivers the ball to the batter.
The Vintage Base Ball Program
 In
1981, the Ohio Historical Society organized the Ohio Village Muffins to show how group recreation was
becoming a part of life in the mid-nineteenth century. The team was the first in the nation to play a
regular schedule of vintage base ball matches and the Society has assisted in the formation of nearly
50 other vintage teams in Ohio and beyond, including Colorado, New York, Georgia, and Canada. In 1996
the Muffins hosted the founding meeting of the Vintage Base Ball Association to further the historical
interpretation of the game. The Muffins play in uniforms patterned after the Currier and Ives
lithograph The American National Game, on display at the Ohio Historical Center. The uniforms consist
of plain long pants, a white shirt with a bright shield containing the team emblem, a pill box hat, a
leather belt with the team name embossed on it, and a bow tie. The name "Muffin" originates
from the organization of 1860s gentlemen's base ball clubs. The best squad was known as the
"first nine," the second-string players were the "second nine," and those not well
skilled were the "muffin nine," a muff being the term for an error.
The Society also fields a female vintage team-the Diamonds Ladies Base Ball Club. As women of the
period pursued higher education, they participated in physical education outdoors and played base ball
in secluded areas of a campus, as participation in such a strenuous sport as base ball was considered
unladylike. But the sport caught on, and by 1866 ladies' teams were forming in colleges. Early women's
teams played in exercise outfits or work dresses. Later on, women's teams would tour and sometimes
join carnival shows.
The pieces of equipment used by both the Diamonds and the Muffins are reproductions. Bats are no
bigger than 2.5 inches in diameter, but may be of any length. Balls are 10 inches in circumference
with a single piece of leather covering them. Bases are at least one square foot and are filled with
sand or sawdust. Ball gloves and protective equipment had not been invented.
The Ohio Cup Base Ball Festival
For two days over the Labor Day Weekend, 19 gentlemen's and 3 ladies' vintage base ball teams will
gather for a festival at Ohio Village. Teams from Ohio and other states will play matches representing
eras from 1845 to 1924 in uniforms and with equipment of their time period. The Ohio Cup represents
the largest gathering of vintage base ball clubs in the country.
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