Diamond State Seeking Community Involvement in Baseball Sesquicentennial
This year marks the 150th year of baseball in the state of Delaware and the Diamond State Base Ball Club (DSBBC), a New Castle County 19th century base ball club, is planning to recognize the occasion with special events. The club is seeking the involvement of youth and adult baseball leagues, historical groups, businesses and other organizations interested in participating in the Delaware Baseball Sesquicentennial Celebration.
On October 7, 2015 at 5:30 p.m., DSBBC will offer a brief talk on the first organized baseball game, played 150 years ago to the day between the original Diamond State Base Ball Club and St. Mary’s College Clubs, both of Wilmington. The discussion will take place near the site of the original game at Adams Street and Delaware Avenue in Wilmington.
Three days later, on Saturday, October 10, DSBBC will be playing a 19th century base ball game beginning at noon against the Athletic Base Ball Club of Philadelphia to commemorate the first game played in Delaware. The two clubs will demonstrate how the early game was played with a match of 1860s rules using replica uniforms and reproduction equipment (and no fielding gloves!) A second game will take place immediately following the game between members of the community interested in playing according to old time rules.
Additional details about both events will be released in the coming months. In the meantime, groups and individuals interested in participating in the Delaware Baseball Sesquicentennial Celebration are encouraged to contact the Diamond State Base Ball Club via email at DiamondStateBBC@gmail.com.
ABOUT THE BALL CLUB: The Diamond State Base Ball Club is a 19th century base ball club based on a team of the same name, one of the first known amateur baseball teams organized in Delaware. Formed in 1865 in Wilmington, the original club played until the mid-1870s and was the preeminent amateur team in the state. The modern Diamond States wear uniforms replicating those worn by the original ball club. The club is a founding member of the Mid Atlantic Vintage Base Ball League, an association of 24 vintage base ball clubs from New York to Virginia. Additional information about the Diamond State Base Ball Club, including its schedule of 2015 games, can be found online at www.DiamondStateBaseBall.co
