PLAY BALL! The nationally known vintage base ball team, the Ohio Village Muffins, will be sweeping the bases when they play the Hoover Sweepers July 26 at 2 p.m. at the National Road/Zane Grey Museum.

In addition to the Muffins the Ohio Village Lady Diamonds will be playing a team of area women. Women, age 16 and older, wanting to play vintage base ball with the Lady Diamonds, please call the National Road/Zane Grey Museum to sign up for the player's roster. The ladies game will begin at noon.

For those unfiamiliar with vintage base ball (two words prior to the 1880's), the game is played by the rules and customs of the 19th century. Players, umpires and scorekeepers dress in period attire and play base ball as it was meant to be played, according to James R. Tootle, historian and longtime Muffin player.

The Muffins play 1860's base ball based on the original rules of the game drawn up by the New York Knickerbocker Club in 1845. Muffin players use wooden bats that are no bigger than 2.5 inches in diameter, but may be of any length. The ball is covered by a single piece of leather. There are no gloves or protective equipment. They don't keep track of individual statistics. The Muffins are intent on fresh air, exercise, education about the game and mixing with the crowd, which is encouraged to cheer for good plays on either side. Players range in age from 16 to over 60. New recruits from the area are welcome to play with the Muffins for an inning or two.

"Many of us have played with the club for nearly two decades, and we take Ohio history and our gentlemanly sport seriously," says Tootle. He also shares that because the game is slow pitch, "Everyone hits, everyone runs and the game is exciting."

The Friends of the Museum will provide a refreshment stand, including hot dogs, popcorn and cold beverages. The Museum is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. The museum gift shop will offer specials on selected merchandise.

Bring your lawn chair and come out for an afternoon of vintage baseball fun. The base ball games will be held on the museum grounds and are free. Admission to the musuem is $7 for adults, $3 for students and free for Ohio Historical Society members and children ages 5 and under.

Visitors can tour the museum's three exhibtion areas: the first explores the history of the National Road, which was the only significant road between the east coast and the western frontier in the first part of 19th century; the second highlights national author and Zanesville native Zane Grey, the "Father of the Adult Western"; and the third area displays Ohio art pottery.

National Road/Zane Grey Museum is one of 59 sites operated by the Ohio Historical Society, a nonprofit oranization that serves as the state's partner in preserving and interpreting Ohio's history, natural history and archaeology. For more information, call 740-872-3143 or 800-752-2602 or visit www.ohiohistory.org
Mary Ellen Weingartner, Site Manager
National Road/Zane Grey Museum, 8850 East Pike, Norwich, OH 43767
740-872-3143 Phone, 740-872-3510 Fax
meweingartner@ohiohistory.org
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