Old Bethpage Base-Ball Poster.

Baseball history photo: Old Bethpage Base-Ball Poster. On August 4th and 5th of 2007, Old Bethpage Village Restoration held its 10th Annual 19th Century Base Ball Festival. The 19th Century Base Ball Program at Old Bethpage started in 1980, ten years after the historic village opened to the public, with a single match and remains the oldest program in the United States. Just as the "New York" game can trace it roots to clubs from Manhattan and Brooklyn in the 1800's, many of today's players, clubs and 19th Century Base Ball Programs can trace their beginnings to Old Bethpage Village culminating with the Smithsonian cover story in October 1998.

Nines annually compete at Old Bethpage via invitation only and those who have attended agree that this event is one of the highlights of their season. For the 10th Annual Festival, Old Bethpage welcomed renowned 19th century base ball author David Nemec who was thoroughly impressed with the grounds, the presentation and the various styles of play exhibited by all of the clubs. Poster designed by Ray Shaw.

Festival Results - Saturday August 4th, Hewlett Grounds
9:30 AM, 1864 NABBP Rules:
Gotham Club of New York - 15, Hartford Dark Blues BBC (CT) - 2
11:00 AM, 1884 NL Rules:
Providence Grays (RI) - 9, Cornish Game Hens (RI) - 5
1:00 PM, 1884 NL Rules:
Elizabeth AC (NJ) - 1, Providence Grays (RI) - 2
3:00 PM, 1891 NLAABBC Rules:
Elizabeth AC (NJ) - 11, Cornish Game Hens (RI) - 10

Festival Results - Saturday, August 4th, Schenk Field
9:30 AM, 1873 NAPBBP Rules:
Newtown Sandy Hooks BBC (CT) - 5, Flemington Neshanock BBC (NJ) - 10
11:00 AM, 1865 NABBP Rules:
Eclipse of Elkton BBC (MD) - 1, Waterbury Conners BBC (CT) - 25.
12:30 PM, 1873 NAPBBC Rules:
Hartford Dark Blues BBC (CT) - 15, Flemington Neshanock BBC (NJ) - 14
2:00 PM, 1865 NABBP Rules:
Waterbury Conners (CT) - 13, Gotham Club of New York - 4
3:30 PM, 1864 NABBP Rules:
Eclipse of Elkton BBC (MD) - 8, Newtown Sandy Hooks BBC (CT) - 5

Festival Results - Sunday, August 5th, Hewlett Grounds
9:30 AM, 1887 NL Rules:
Cornish Game Hens (RI) - 5, Glen Head Zig Zags (NY) - 6
11:15 AM, 1864 NABBP Rules:
Waterbury Conners (CT) - 3, Mineola All-Stars (NY) - 2
1:00 PM, 1864 NABBP Rules:
Mutual Club of New York - 18, Bridgeport Orators (CT) - 13

Festival Results - Sunday, August 5th, Schenk Field
9:30 AM, 1864 NABBP Rules:
Bridgeport Orators (CT) - 2, Providence Grays (RI) - 9
11:15 AM, 1876 NL Rules:
Hartford Dark Blues (CT) - 8, Providence Grays (RI) - 16
1:00 PM, 1860 NABBP Rules:
Waterbury Conners BBC (CT) - 15, Cornish Game Hens, (RI) - 3

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