OLD TIME BASEBALL: THE BENCH -- An 1865 "Ballists" or players bench. Notice the "Willow" or bat rack. (MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

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Old Time Bay City Independents Baseball

"The Way Baseball Was Meant To Be Played"

September 11, 2011
By: John Keuvelaar

On a warm Saturday afternoon, time slipped back many years. At times you could almost hear the backyard laughter of a youth baseball games. Then you looked up and saw a baseball game played at its purist sense. Where fly balls off the trees could be fair, pitchers toss the ball so you could hit it and acknowledgment of an opponent's great play was the rule and not the exception. This was 1865 baseball and the game was between the Bay City Independents and the Saginaw Old Golds.

The two teams are just a growing number of teams that play vintage baseball. It is more than just a reenactment; it was a good and interesting game. Fans lined both base paths with lawn chairs as they watched and conversed with the players.

And the players all have colorful names like "Rainmaker", "Twinkletoes" and of course "Doc". Some spectators wore vintage clothes and there was also music. Not a pipe organ but an autoharp and a guitar. It was truly family entertainment. For more information about the Bay City Independents, check them out on the web at www.baycitybaseball.com.

This year, while the River of Time is going on, the Michigan State Championships are taking place at Carol Park. The first game starts at 9am. To get a taste of this special game, enjoy the sights in the following pictures.

Oh and who won? The Independents scored in the 1st extra inning to win 14-13.