Jim Bouton Announces 2007 Vintage Base Ball World Series

Vintage Base Ball Federation press release:

JIM BOUTON ANNOUNCES
MASS MUTUAL VINTAGE BASE BALL WORLD SERIES

19TH CENTURY REPLICA BALLPARK PLANNED

Westfield, MA, April 25, 2007 - Former Yankee pitcher and Ball Four author Jim Bouton, and MassMutual Financial Group, will stage the 1st annual Vintage Base Ball World Series, at Bullens Field in Westfield. The four-team double elimination tournament (August 16 through 19, 2007) will include clubs from the Northeast, Michigan, and California. The World Series will follow the Vintage Base Ball Northeast Regional Playoffs (July 20, 21 & 22 and July 27, 28 & 29), an eight- team single elimination tournament, also to be played in Westfield, and produced by Bouton’s Vintage Base Ball Federation, LLC, with help from the Babe Ruth League, Boys & Girls Club, and WOW.

Vintage base ball (originally two words) is a fast growing sport (250 clubs in 32 states) in which amateur players adhere to the rules, uniforms, and equipment of the game’s 19th century roots. Young men in baggy uniforms wield fat handle bats at “lemon peel” stitched balls that are caught with gloves no bigger than a man’s hand. And it’s a “gentleman’s game,” in which the umpire (there is only one) is always addressed as “Sir.”

The Vintage Playoffs and World Series will have a 19th century atmosphere, with period music, costumed actors, barbershop quartet, and hand-painted 1880s style billboards. Children wearing newsboy caps and suspenders will sell programs, and prizes will be awarded to fans judged best examples of 19th century manners and dress.