Old Bethpage Village's boys of summer

The crack of the bat. The fielder reaching for the ball. The decades – or centuries – come and go, but the very basics of our national pastime remain the same. See for yourself at Old Bethpage Village Restoration this weekend.
It’s always an enjoyable adventure to travel back in time through 19th century America at Old Bethpage Village, where visitors can explore an assortment of recreated homes, farms, and storefronts. The whole family can enjoy an outing in the 1800s, which includes the popular vintage “base ball” league and its tournaments.
See some old-time baseball players in action this weekend when the village’s nationally recognized “boys of summer” take to the field for their version of the mid-summer classic, July 31-Aug. 1.
The two leagues, 1864 Rules and 1887 Rules, feature teams recreated from actual ball clubs that existed on Long Island way back when. Visitors can experience base ball (it was two words back then) as it was played during the sport’s infancy (on real grass). Games are played competitively, without a script, in actual contests. Players wear recreated period uniforms and use period equipment (that means no gloves since most fielders were barehanded in those days).
This weekend’s tournament features nine teams, including local teams affiliated with OBVR, teams from elsewhere in New York, and teams from New Jersey and New England. They’ll compete in a weekend celebration of base ball played according to the rules in effect between 1860 and 1899. There will be six to eight games each day from 10 a.m. to
4 p.m.
“This is a wonderful event showcasing the roots of our nation’s pastime, as interpreted by very skilled and experienced players,” said Jim McKenna, OBVR site director and curator. “We also invite parents and children to join in games of ‘rounders’ between scheduled base ball matches. Rounders, which was an English children’s game, as well as an adult version of the same game and cricket, were all early influences on baseball.”