Come see rival clubs from the Vintage Base Ball Association battle it out like it was 1899. Be at Lakewood Park at 1p.m. on Sunday, July 12 to witness the unfolding of the epic Western Reserve Challenge.

Our own Cleveland Blues will go up against the Akron Black Stockings and the Chagrin Falls Forest Citys in a rousing triple header. Using rules from the mid-1800s, the hurlers of these nines will send dew drops over the dish, hoping the striker will hit a blooper or an easy stinger so that the rover can easily catch the onion. (For those used to 20th Century baseball lingo: the pitchers of these teams will send pitches over the plate, hoping the batter will hit a weak fly ball or an lazy line drive so that the shortstop can easily catch the ball).

Join the other cranks (fans) to cheer each ace (run) and urge your favorite team to show a little ginger (play harder)! See what the game was like when all you needed was a bat and a ball to play, and wince each time a gloveless fielder captures a whiz-bang hit. "Boxcar" Demagall, "Furbelly" McGinty and "Bristles" Dobrovic will give it their all to defeat “The Juggler” Blasick, “One Bounce” Searle, and “Buckethead” Lee in a game that is sure to be one for the history books.

The Lakewood Historical Society will be selling refreshments during the games, and the Old Stone House and Gift Shop will be open for tours. Learn more about the Vintage Base Ball Association and its clubs at VBBA.org. The games will be played at the baseball diamond right next to Lake Avenue and the Old Stone House starting at 1p.m. on Sunday July 12th.