Sixteen players marked the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence on Saturday at Adams Playground by playing a baseball game using 1870s rules, organized by the Peterborough Recreation Committee and the Monadnock Center for History and Culture.
The match was played in the spirit of the historic Peterborough Base Ball Club, which originally saw local teams like the Peterborough Club, Temple Academy Nine, and Hancock County Club compete in the region during the 1860s and 1870s.
According to the event’s spectator guide, the vintage game — historically spelled as two words, “Base Ball” — diverged significantly from the modern version. Strikers (batters) faced underhand pitching from a “hurler” who delivered the ball in a gentle arc. Fielders caught the softer ball with their bare hands, as gloves were not used.
Under the 1870s rules, a striker was called out if a fair or foul ball was caught in the air or after a single bounce. Additionally, foul balls did not count as strikes, meaning batters could continue hitting fouls without penalty. Strategy was further altered by a strict no-sliding rule on the base paths.
James Symes officiated the game as the “Judge,” a role historically responsible for determining fair or foul balls based entirely on where the ball first landed, rather than where it came to a stop. In line with the era’s emphasis on sportsmanship, the guidelines strictly prohibited arguing, profanity, and unsportsmanlike conduct, demanding players behave as gentlemen.
Spectators, addressed traditionally as “cranks,” were encouraged to cheer loudly, interact with the ballists (players) after the match, and shout “Huzzah!” following excellent plays.
