One of the foremost vintage base ball festivals takes place at the end of this month, and Mansfield will be represented.
That’s “base ball,” not baseball, mind you, which is how nineteenth century Americans referred to what was then a new game.
The Mansfield Independents will be participating in the Ohio Cup Vintage Base Ball Festival at Ohio Village, adjacent to the Ohio History Center in Columbus. The fun takes place on Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1 from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Celebrate the end of summer with one final weekend at Ohio Village. The Ohio Cup is one of the nation’s largest vintage base ball events. More than 30 teams from across the nation will come to Ohio Village on Labor Day weekend to play and share the experience of 1860s-style base ball. Special activities will be available all day for kids, including historic games and sports, and a chance to try your hand at 1860s-style base ball with the Ohio Village Muffins.
Be sure to bring your chairs or a blanket and enjoy the day.
The Independents will be playing three games, all on Sunday. They are as follows:
- Sunday 10AM at Capitoline Field – vs. Essex Mixed 9
- Sunday 1PM at Elysian Field – vs. Minnesota Union
- Sunday 4PM at Union Groups – vs. Frosty Sons of Thunder
Although they are not playing during the Festival, one of the participating teams is the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings. The Independents and the Red Stockings met earlier this year in a recreation of America’s first professional baseball game, which took place in Mansfield. More information on that event is here.
You can purchase admission at either the front desk of the Ohio History Center or at the John Hauck Foundation Welcome Center in Ohio Village. The Festival is also included with general admission: $15/Adults; $13/Senior (60+); $9/Youth (4-12); Free/Ohio History Connection Members & Child (3 & under).
A few additional pieces of information about the Festival:
- Smoking and the use of e-cigarettes is not permitted in Ohio Village or anywhere on the grounds of the Ohio History Center.
- Food trucks will be located on the roadway behind P. Wylie’s Emporium and at the 17th Avenue fields both Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM.
- Soda and water will be available to purchase at the Ohio Village Biergarten both Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM.
- Alcohol will be available to purchase at the Ohio Village Biergarten on Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 1 PM to 5 PM. Alcohol may only be consumed within Ohio Village.
- The Ohio Cup Vintage Base Ball Festival will go on rain or shine, but games will be stopped if there is lightning.
- You can use credit and debit cards to buy tickets at the entrance.
- Ohio Village and the Ohio History Center do not have an ATM on site.
- Make sure you pick up a map and schedule when you enter, to help you find everything you need during your visit.
- Only service animals are allowed on the grounds of the Ohio Village and in the Ohio History Center.
- Wheelchairs are available at the Ohio Village Gatehouse.
- If you have questions about accessibility in Ohio Village, please ask a staff member.
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