Yes! If you are going to be sitting in the stands watching any baseball game this summer, you’ll want to have a good pair of sunglasses with unscratched lenses. Baseball is a beloved sport in America. Families from all over the country love getting together to enjoy a hot dog and sit in the stands to watch the great athletic stars down on the field.
Over the years the game has undergone many changes, making the baseball we know and love today very different from the original game. If you want to experience the classic game first hand, then check out some of the upcoming Historical Baseball Games at Living History Farms. This is a great way to spend time as a family and enjoy a sport that everyone loves. You’ll definitely want to bring along your best pair of sunglasses for the occasion so you can see every move down on the field.
If you’ve been thinking about getting a new pair, and maybe asking yourself, “Should I get polarized Ray-Bans?” then you should consider the cost effective option of getting some polycarbonate replacement lenses from LenzFlip.com before you head out to the ball game!
What Is Living History Farms?
For years Living History Farms has provided an interactive educational experience to its visitors. The outdoor history museum is a great place for people to go experience the rural traditions and lifestyles of the historic Midwest. The staff has successfully recreated the daily routines of historical Midwestern society through the construction of authentic simulated farm sites and small towns from various time periods, which they use to illustrate major changes in agricultural technology, procedures, and rural life.
In addition to the public exhibits, the museum also offers preschool and adult educational programs, and hosts many unique public events designed to increase interest in the history of the area.
One of these events is a series of baseball games over the summer. While this may not seem particularly unique in and of itself, the style of baseball visitors will experience at the farms is different than you will experience anywhere else. It’s historical baseball, played by 1870 rules.
What’s So Great About 1870s Baseball?
You may find yourself wondering, how are the rules of baseball from the 1870s any different than the rules today? Do sports really change that much? The answer is absolutely! In fact, baseball is one of the most changed American sports.
Since 1845 the game has constantly undergone rule changes, and each of these has changed the game itself significantly.
The first official set of written rules were published on September 20, 1845. Scribed by Alexander Cartwright, they became known as the “Knickerbocker Rules.” They consisted of 20 very basic rules.
From there the rules underwent constant scrutiny and change, until a game that once only followed a loose set of rules was transformed into a tightly regulated and nationally respected sport.
Some more significant changes in baseball rule history were established at the Base Ball Convention of 1854. This meeting was held between three New York teams: Knickerbocker, Gotham, and The Eagle clubs. Together they revised the original 20 rules, expanding upon the basics and clarifying where they thought necessary. One important established rule was #13 which stated that the first batter of an inning would be the batter who precedes the player who made the third out in the previous inning.
Another Base Ball convention was held in 1857, hosted by former Knickerbocker President Daniel “Doc” Adams. More than a dozen clubs sent delegates to the convention, and a new set of Rules and Regulations were established. Some of these new rules included changing the length of the game from a score of 21 runs to nine equal innings. Additionally, Adams (who had been declared president of the convention) declared that at least five innings must be played for a game to be official.
The distance of 30 yards between bases was also established during this meeting, with the pitcher’s line officially set as centered between home and second base, 12 feet from the home plate. Additionally, it was decided that no base could be made on a foul ball.
In 1858 another new rule was made allowing the umpire to call all strikes on a batter that repeatedly refused to swing at good balls, and in 1863 it was established that the umpire could call unfair pitched balls as well. After 3 unfair pitches, the batter was allowed to take his base, and all base runners were allowed to advance one base as well. In 1869 this rule was modified, only allowing base runners that were forced to do so to advance a base.
Some additional historic rules include no overhand pitching, and no gloves allowed. Additionally, hitters used to be allowed to request the height of the pitch, and a catch on the first bounce was an out, whereas if the ball was caught on the fly, the player could continue running.
Game Schedule
Since the 1870s, the rules of the game have drastically changed, but if you want to see a historic style game then you’re in luck. Living History Farms is hosting 5 games this summer:
- Saturday, May 28
- Sunday, June 19
- Monday, July 4
- Saturday, August 6
- Saturday, September 17
All games are played at 1:30 p.m. with the exception of the game on the Fourth of July, which will be played at 2:30 instead. All games are free with admission to the Living History Farms, and after the game the teams invite kids down to the field to swing the bat.
Should I Get Polarized Ray-Bans To Watch Or Maybe Play In The Game?
And while you probably realize that you need sunglasses for the event, you may even be wondering “Should I get polarized Ray-Bans for the event?” The answer is absolutely! But you don’t have to buy a whole new pair. LenzFlip.com has replacement lenses in a variety of styles, so you don’t have to get rid of your favorite pair of glasses. Instead, you can give them a new lease on life with polycarbonate replacement lenses, then head on out to enjoy the game!
If you want to get in on the fun and try your hand at playing an 1870s ball game, you can get more information online and sign your team up to play! It will be fun to take on the challenge of a new set of rules.
Other Things You Can Do At Living History Farms
Living History Farms has plenty of other events that you won’t want to miss this summer. Their historic home tours are a great way to experience a classic Victorian style. The tours take place in the Italiante-styled Flynn Mansion and the Gothic-styled Tangen Home, and include discussions on Victorian décor, architecture, and society. The Farm also hosts Historical Dinners in both these homes, where visitors can experience the dining styles from different eras.
Various day camps throughout the year make for some great educational fun as well. The summer camp, which runs from June through August, is designed to give children in grades K – 12 the experience of day-to-day farm life from different historical periods. The camps include outdoor hikes, hands-on activities, games, crafts, and visits to the Living History Farms various sites and exhibits.
The museum also hosts a variety of special events, including an upcoming Independence Day Celebration. If you don’t already have plans this is a party you won’t want to miss. In true historical style, the festivities will begin bright and early and include pie eating contests, food races, spelling bees, watermelon seed spitting contests and more. Following the day’s events, those in attendance can gather to hear the Walnut Hill mayor read the Declaration of Independence in the Church of the Land, and march in a Victorian style street parade.
And, of course, you’ll want your favorite pair of shades for the event. Instead of asking “Should I get polarized Ray-Bans?” consider getting new lenses for your favorite frames. Check out the variety of replacement lenses in all the tints and styles you want on LenzFlip.com. The sooner you get your new pair of lenses, the sooner you can get out there and enjoy a good old fashioned celebration, ball game, and more!