CAPE ELIZABETH — The Maine Historical Society will host free 19th century baseball games at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday at the Parade Grounds at Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth.
The Essex Base Ball Organization will play two nineinning games versus the Dirigo Base Ball club of Augusta. Essex Base Ball runs a league based in Newbury, Mass., that plays nine-inning games by baseball rules and customs of the 1860s, also known as town ball. They wear period uniforms and play on an open field.
Between games, players will talk about baseball in that era. They also will discuss vintage baseball terminology such as “cloud hunter,” “ace” and “dew drop.” (Answer: Fly ball, home run, and slow pitch).
For information about the history of baseball in Maine, go to www.mainememory.net and search for “baseball.”
Admission is free. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic.
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