Soon you may find yourself walking towards Comerica Park for the All-Star game after reading the morning paper and enjoying a cup of coffee at Campus Martius Park.
Few might realize that by participating in this morning ritual of coffee and a newspaper on Campus Martius that they are linking to some major Detroit baseball history.
After the great fire of 1805, Campus Martius was conceived and designed by Detroit Judge Augustus Woodward to be a large open green space for public assemblies. In July 1859, a newly formed baseball club called the Early Risers practiced their game from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. at the corner of Woodward and Fort, the streets adjoining Campus Martius. The early morning practices at times drew crowds of spectators and the players occasionally batted balls through the windows of the adjacent Russell House Hotel. Detroit was home to several baseball clubs at that time, such as The Detroit Base Ball Club, The Franklins and the Michigan Central Rail Road Club.
Both the Early Risers and The Franklins were named in honor of the ideals of Benjamin Franklin. For the Early Risers whose work schedules prohibited them from practicing after work, Ben Franklin’s proverb of “early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise” became a way of life. Many of the men in the clubs came to Detroit to hold jobs in hopes of realizing the American dream.
Richard Fyfe, a self-made millionaire shoe salesman and founder of the Early Risers, provided a living example that the dream was possible. Mr. Fyfe credited the Franklin teachings with his success and often stated one of Franklin’s mottos: “Never tell the customer something that isn’t so.”
The Franklins were composed mainly of printers from the Detroit Free Press offices and a few lawyers and clerks from Detroit Recorders Court. Both baseball and the press brought the developing urban community together by creating a sense of routine and stability for city residents.
Back then, game was called “base ball”--two words—and the early game was played differently than today. Formed mainly as a social clubs conceived after a series of meetings at the Congress Hall Saloon—(in Detroit, or where is this saloon?). The term “team” was never used as it referred to work animals such as horses and mules and was regarded as an insult to players. Pitchers were expected to throw balls that were easily hit, sometimes scores were not kept and on occasion both teams had dinner together after the games. A grounder was called a “daisy skimmer,” the popular cheer was “Huzzah!” instead of “Hurrah” and a bad player was called a “Muffin.”
Historic Base Ball at Southwest Detroit’s Historic Fort Wayne:
What happened to this kind of baseball you ask? It is alive and well throughout Michigan thanks to the Vintage Base Ball Association (VBBA). For those who might want to join or watch, you can check out the games being played by members of the Vintage Base Ball Association.
In addition to Civil war re-enactors, the Detroit Historical Museum has now invited clubs from the Vintage Base Ball Association to play games for the public at one of Detroit’s best-kept secrets – Historic Fort Wayne on Detroit’s riverfront.
The clubs use 1860’s rules, wear reproduction uniforms and only use 1860’s equipment. Heavy wool uniforms inspired by early firefighter uniforms, and sometimes knickers inspired by one of the country’s first base ball teams “The Knickerbockers” are the main attire. Hats consist of button caps in the newsboy tradition instead of today’s baseball caps. Bases are sacks and scoreboards are old chalkboards. Gloves are not used, bats are wooden and balls are hand made and stitched with a one-piece leather cover. No modern dugouts here, players sit on the ground. It is tradition to have the hosting team prepare a meal for the away team regardless of the score.
To see the players in a historical setting in reproduction clothing and equipment is truly like time traveling. Games occur on the interior of the Fort Wayne parade grounds within the massive 1843 brick “Star Fort” structure. A truly perfect setting, teams set up in front of the old stone military barracks building inside the old fort walls. If one didn’t know better, they might think they just walked into a version of the movie Field of Dreams where players, ghosts from Detroit’s past, have decided to have a friendly game of base ball along the Detroit riverfront.
Michigan is host to at least fifteen vintage baseball teams. After joining the VBBA, teams usually establish a relationship with a group such as a historical society or county park. This allows for aid in fundraising, recruiting and promotes playing in historic settings. Spectators are always welcome. Getting started is also easy with access to the internet. Equipment and uniforms can be ordered online from places like Charlie “Lefty” Trudeau’s Phoenix Company or the Vintage Ball Factory. The VBBA provides a list of vintage base ball equipment and suppliers to all new teams.
Games are scheduled at Historic Fort Wayne for Sunday, July 10 at 1 p.m. between the Regular Base Ball club of Mount Clemens and the Rochester Grangers and Sunday, August 14 at 1 p.m. between the Mighty River Hogs of Midland County and the Bay City Independents. Regular Fort Fees of $5 per vehicle apply. Fort Wayne is located at the intersection of West Jefferson and Livernois. Managed by the Detroit Historical Museum Fort Wayne is open every Saturday and Sunday from 11a.m. - 4 p.m. for baseball on specified dates. A brochure is issued outlining the 1860’s baseball rules and terms at the Fort Wayne entry gate. Don’t be surprised if by the time you go home you start saying “Huzzah!” to your family when they score a home run!
For more information on the Detroit Historical Museum’s Fort Wayne Schedule as well as other great events go to http:///wwwdetroithistorical.org. For more info on how to start a team or join one in the Vintage Base Ball Association go to http://www.vbba.org.
“Baseball Fever” Baseball Links and Information
For those who may come down with a bad case of “Baseball Fever” after going to the All Star Game, the following links will provide an outlet to learn about Detroit’s amazing baseball history, the famous Negro leagues as well as little league programs throughout the area:
For more information on little league opportunities in the City of Detroit go to:
The Police Athletic League
PAL offers 11 athletic programs and has two multi purpose recreation centers. Programs registrations are held at the PAL headquarters located in the Northwest Activities Center at 18100 Meyers, Detroit. Click on http://www.detroitpal.org
ThinkDetroit
ThinkDetroit offers many sports programs for children and can be found by clicking on http://www.thinkdetroit.org/sports/baseball.asp
Detroit Tigers Youth Baseball
The Tigers Care group assists the Detroit Sports and Recreation Commission with a Detroit Hometown World Series, which showcases 38 teams consisting of 570 youth from Detroit. More info on Detroit Tigers Youth Baseball can be found by clicking on
http://www.detroit.tigers/mlb.com
For more information on the history of Detroit’s Negro Leagues go to:
The Negro League Baseball Museum
Everything you ever wanted to know about the history of America’s Negro Leagues can be found by clicking on http://www.nlbm.com
The Negro League Baseball Players Association
The talented Detroit Stars played out of historic Mack Park until 1929. After they then played at Tiger’s Briggs stadium starting in the 1940’s. For more info on both the Detroit Stars and the Players Association click on http://www.nlbpa.com/Detroit_stars.html
Shades of Greatness Exhibit
For more information of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History is hosting an exhibit inspired by Negro league baseball and can be found by clicking on
http://www.maah-detroit.org.
For more information on Minor League, College baseball and High school baseball go to:
Baseball America
For a listing of everything baseball click on http://www.baseballamerica.com
For more information on Vintage Base Ball go to:
The Vintage Base Ball Association
For everything you need to know to join, watch or start a Vintage base ball club go to http://www.vbba.org
The Detroit Historical Museum
For schedules, exhibit calendars and info on the history of baseball in Detroit go to http://www.detroithistorical.org.
For information on Detroit’s own Detroit Tigers and the All Star Game go to:
The Detroit Tigers
For schedules, line-ups, and All Star information click on http://www.detroit.tigers.com
For information of the history of baseball in Detroit’s historic Corktown go to:
Ballparks
For all the stats on Old Tiger Stadium go to http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/american/tigers.htm
Briggs Little League
For info on both Corktown’s very own Briggs Little League Teams and all Little League teams across the country click on http://www.eteamz.active.com
Lets Play Ball!
All photographs copyright Dave Krieger