VBBA Vintage Base Ball Association

VBBA - Vintage Base Ball Association

1 month ago

Douglas Dutchers celebrate 20 years of vintage base ball
Dan D'Addona
Holland Sentinel
Published 4:03 a.m. ET Aug. 14, 2023

DOUGLAS - "Hip, hip, huzzah!"

For 20 years the call from the Douglas Dutchers vintage base ball team - has rung out from Beery Field in downtown Douglas.

For two decades, "cranks" have come to watch 1860s base ball games - and yes base ball was two words back then - and enjoyed an entertaining look on how baseball was played before the major leagues were a think - even before gloves were a thing.

The team was created by Helen DeGeatano 20 years ago, which turned out to be just the beginning.

"I started the club because I had heard that they were going to turn Beery Field into a parking lot or put stores there. Because I had a family history here, I thought it would be a tragic move. I talked to the Douglas Historic Preservation Committee and started talking with people about a team and we had 10 players for the first game in 2003," DeGeatano said. "It is amazing because the club has had to be rebuilt a few times over the years. It is a passion for me. It is not only a fun event, but it is historic as well."

DeGeatano, 78, is a fixture at the games in her flowered hat, selling hot dogs, Cracker Jack and Douglas Dutchers T-shirts.

Meanwhile, the players are running the bases without sliding, catching the ball on one bounce for an out and playing without gloves.

The hurler throws the ball to the striker underhand and the striker can tell the hurler where to place the ball. These are the rules of the 1860s, with several variations depending on home team rules and what specific year, even back to 1858 rules.

Vintage base ball has grown quite a bit in the past 20 years with teams all over the state, including South Haven, which played the Dutchers on Saturday with the home team using a six-run eighth inning to win 9-3.

"The Vintage Base ball Association has teams that play from California to New York and down to Florida," DeGeatano said. "We have played in Rochester, New York and in Florida and have had teams from New York and Ohio play here. It is a nationwide association. We haven't got to Minnesota yet but that is in the plans."

The Dutchers have played as a part of Tulip Time for the past 10 years, been in a Tulip Time parade for 15 and have been part of the Saugautck-Douglas Fourth of July parade.

Some of the original Dutchers were on hand for Saturday's game at Beery Field, watching the next generation of historic base ball players.

"I came here 10 years ago and was fascinated by it. No gloves, and I wante to give it a try. Next thing you know, I am still here," said Tim "Shimmy" Knickerbocker, 64. "I enjoy the game and I am going to keep on playing as long as I can play. I picked my nickname because I just shimmy on down the line and kind of took it from there. The team is fantastic. Every team that we play is fantastic. It is a clean game, no arguing, no fuss. I love that about it. It is just a fun afternoon."

Some players come from around the state to play. Chris "Rush" De Liso lives in St. Johns and travels two hours to play with the Dutchers.

"I saw them at a historic village in Ludington and I immediately fell in love with it," De Liso said. "It was a neat way to reignite my passion for base ball."

De Geatano is hoping the passion ignites for others in the community as the team plans to keep the tradition going.
"If you would have told me I would be running a vintage baseball club for 20 years, I would have told you that you are totally out of your mind," De Geatano said. "But it has become a passion."

Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports. ... See MoreSee Less

VBBA - Vintage Base Ball Association

7 months ago

Presentations April 1st
VBBA 2023 Vintage Bases Ball Association Dayton Conference
9:00 - 9:50 AM
"VBBA's 25th Anniversary Committee"
"History Isn't Always Pretty -Pennsylvania's Involvement in
the Segregation of Base Ball in 1867"
"AED and CPR" Safety Committee Dayton Fire Department
10:00 - 10:50 AM
"The History of Baseball Uniforms"
"Ballists, Deadbeats and Muffins, Inside Early Baseball in Illinois"
“Dayton Base Ball / Baseball / Vintage Base Ball
(1860’s to Present)”
11:00 - 11:50 AM
"1800 Dress”
"The Art of Umpiring and More"
"How to Connect with the Media & Communities" ... See MoreSee Less