Springfield Heritage Throwback Baseball: East vs West

[Metro Jacksonville]

Springfield Heritage Throwback Baseball: East vs West



The Springfield Heritage Throwback Baseball Game was held on May 5th in Klutho Park. It was put together over a series of months through the efforts of many Springfield residents. Originally, SPAR had intended to put on a softball game for the weekend event, and a group of residents thought to take it to the next level. Initially we were going to only play softball in the old time uniforms, but several people thought we could pull off a baseball game with vintage equipment as well.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/424

[vicupstate]

This is a neat idea.  Looks like a lot of fun too.  

[zoo]

I attended and watched the game. Considering the equipment, the quality of play was much better than I expected! Will there be hot dogs, peanuts, ice cream, beer/water/sodas at the 4th of July game, too?

For anyone who appreciates a ball game or a day in the park with the kids, this is a great way to spend a day -- the old-time feel of it is priceless!

[Jason]

Great pics!!

How did you guys get a hold of all the throwback equipment?  Those mitts are great!

[Russell "The Stick" Box]

We had a complete blast playing the game and are looking forward to the upcoming 4th of July game.  We are trying to get other teams from around the city so we can start a small type of baseball league, so get some friends together and make a team and make a run of it.

[Deuce]

I thought the game was great  too. I think we should take it to the next level and challenge Riverside/Avondale to a game in Klutho park. This would serve to draw more people from outside the neighborhood into the neighborhood. SPAR vs RAP sounds cool!

[downtownparks]

Jason,

Javier Herrera, one of the principle organizers for the event was able to find a bunch or resources online.  There are Vintage Leagues in other areas of the country, though I think ours is the first "dead ball era". Most of the other leagues focus on the late 1800's, while ours was focused on the early 1900's. We used at 1910 Era ball, and 1919 Era gloves.

Everyone out there was great to work with. I had an absolute blast working with, and playing with these guys, and several of the players stepped up and spent time, money, and used their trade to improve the outcome. Russ Box, Jesus Ceda, and Javier Herrera merit special mention because they paid for, and built that that awesome scoreboard.

Jim Gilliland and Jim Ricard did a great job finding the players.

And the players themselves for giving their time to help pull this whole event off. Everyone out there has family, houses, and jobs that came into play, and they all made it a point to come out as often as they could, including three time a week practices for the last three weeks.

Great Job guys. Thanks!

[downtownparks]

Oh, and I sent an email today to Riverside, San Marco, Murray Hill, and St Nicholas. If you are part of any of those organizations, or from downtown and want to try to help build a vintage league, please email me at downtownparks@gmail.com

[Adam B]

nice job, guys.  i was up there for the first couple of innings, but martha was getting really tired and she needed a nap and some water.  great seeing other dogs out there though.

[Jason]

Is this a sign to steal third??  ;D

[downtownparks]

I think that the sign of either an itchy ass or a pulled hamstring...  ;D ;D ;D