Baseball has a long and enduring reputation as the great American sport. So, it seems only fitting that “the great American sport” would be played (in its most traditional historic format) within a great American landmark community like Gettysburg, right? That’s certainly the case where the Annual Gettysburg National 19th Century Base Ball Festival is concerned.
A fun-for-the-whole-family staple that’s been an area mainstay for the last decade and a half, this highly anticipated annual summertime tradition has rapidly grown into the largest single gathering of 19th-century “base ball” clubs in the entire nation. For Gettysburg locals and visitors alike, it’s also a wonderful way to experience the more recreational often-overlooked civilian side of life during the 1800s in Gettysburg.
A Sequel and Compromise
It may be surprising to learn that old-time baseball festivals are nothing new. They’ve been held at many locales throughout the nation for several years. The Gettysburg National 19th Century Base Ball Festival got its start back in 2010, born as a sequel and compromise of sorts.
After the Washington D.C. Base Ball Festival completed a three-year run in 2009, some clubs from the east still wanted to play against several teams based in the Pittsburgh area. While all agreed, no one wished to venture six hours out of the way to play. That reasoning led the Elkton Eclipse Team to approach Destination Gettysburg on the potential for promoting a new festival based regionally at the halfway point. So, the two got together with Gettysburg Eddie’s, and the first Gettysburg Base Ball Tournament was established.
That inaugural year saw six participating clubs competing. These included the Delaware Diamond States, Elkton Eclipse, Flemington Neshanock, Pittsburgh Franklins, Somerset Frosty Sons of Thunder, and the Talbot Fair Plays. Teams played on three fields at Hickory Hollow Farm. From there a new annual tradition was formed—one that’s only grown larger throughout the years.
What Is the Festival Exactly?
Is the Gettysburg National 19th Century Base Ball Festival a series of games or is it a festival event? The answer is “yes” on both accounts. While it is essentially a series of games taking place throughout the two-day run, it’s also a family-friendly celebratory event that both history buffs and sports enthusiasts can rightfully enjoy. That’s because the participating teams keep with the authenticity of 19th-century base ball and how it was played in its formative years, between 1839 and 1899.
On the Gettysburg scene in particular you’ll find the teams donning markedly dated uniforms and using period-style equipment from circa 1864. It’s the next best thing to traveling back in time for a truly authentic hometown “take me out to the ballgame” kind of experience.
The 2024 Event
The Gettysburg National 19th Century Base Ball Festival is always held during the third weekend in July. That means the 2024 event is coming up this weekend, July 20 through 21. This year welcomes 30 different historic base ball clubs from all around the country. They’re set to play along five different fields all weekend long.
Game time will begin promptly at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday both, with the Saturday conclusion being at 5 p.m. and Sunday wrapping things up at 4 p.m. You can view the full schedule of events here.
Attending fans take note, this year’s event is free and open to the public! That means no tickets or even preregistration is required. Just show up with family and friends and enjoy a good old-fashioned ballgame draped in nostalgia.
The Gettysburg National 19th Century Base Ball Festival will be held at 965 Pumping Station Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325. For all other additional information, including directions, visit the website at www.gettysburgbaseballfestival.com.