Dark Bilious Vapors

Just received this in email from The Cardinals Birdhouse. Looks like a "must see" for anyone interested in the history of the National Pastime:

Huzzah! 1860’s Vintage "Base Ball" in Lafayette Park:

First Annual Shepard Barclay Base Ball Festival June 5 & 6

Drawing their name and inspiration from the original St. Louis team that included a young player named Cy Young, the St. Louis Perfectos bring the past alive in matches that are free to the public. Join them, along with the St. Louis Unions (fellow members of The Greater St. Louis Base Ball Historical Society), as they host a fun-filled festival on June 5 and 6 in conjunction with the Lafayette Home & Garden Tour.

Volunteer players, dressed in authentic uniforms and using a hand-stitched base ball, play strictly by 1860’s rules. Catches are made barehanded. A bell at home plate is rung each time a runner scores. Spectators, called "cranks" in 1860-vernacular, enjoy player introductions at the beginning of each game. Keeping with tradition, with a tip of the cap, you’ll meet Licorice Whip, Tree Knocker, Cowgirl, Home Run, Doc, Moose, and Five-Finger, to name a few.

The festival is named in honor of St. Louis native Judge Shepard Barclay, an avid sports enthusiast and skilled pitcher who played in local amateur clubs in the 1860’s. Quoted in The Spirit of St. Louis — A History of the St. Louis Cardinals and Browns, Barclay recalls Lafayette Park as the locale where St. Louis youngsters first learned "the modern game of base ball."

Participating festival teams include the St. Louis Unions, the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings, the Indianapolis Blues, the Rock Springs Ground Squirrels, and the Mackville Mudcats.

Cheer on the teams as the weekend’s festivities kick off at 8:45 Saturday, June 5, at the parking lot of SqWires Restaurant for a "coach ride" around the park. The first match begins at 9 AM; the last day’s match begins at 4:30 PM. Sunday, June 6, play begins at 10 AM, and concludes with a match at 4 PM. Be sure to bring the whole family for day of fun. The base ball matches are FREE TO ALL!

"Spectators are also invited to participate in the 35th Annual Lafayette Square
Home and Garden Tour, showcasing homes and gardens in the heart
of Victorian St. Louis. The tour runs 10AM to 5PM on both Saturday and Sunday,
and tickets cost $15 in advance and $18 on tour day, and can be purchased
through the Lafayette Square Restoration Committee @ 314-772-5724. Other
weekend activities include free carriage rides, the annual antique show around the park,
and a free concert at 6pm on Saturday evening in Lafayette Park."

For the full season schedule and additional information, visit www.perfectos.org.

Len on 05.26.04 @ 08:44 AM CST