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1865 Michigan State Championship!!

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In the summer of 1865 the boys of Michigan returned from war and found that the state had been overrun by the eastern fad of “New York” rules base ball. Many young men started clubs in their home town, and Bay City was no exception. After much consternation, it was decided that Michigan should crown a state champion of the new sport, and the recently founded Michigan Base Ball Association decreed that a tournament should be held to decide base ball royalty. This tournament was to be held at the state fair in Adrian. Any club hoping to take part was asked to submit a princely sum of $10 that would be used to pay for an $80 goblet that would be given to the victor. Only six clubs paid the entry fee, the Anchoras of Adrian, the Centrals of Jackson, the Capitals of Lansing, the Detroit Base Ball Club, Salem Club, and the Washington Club of Bay City. Bay City, however would mysteriously bow out, as did the Salem Club, and only 4 participants took to the field. Eventually the Detroiters would take home the trophy, and hold mastery over the state for some time.

The newly revived Bay City Base Ball Club, a historic base ball club, will be re-enacting the State Tournament this coming September during the storied River of Time exhibit! Historic or vintage base ball is a sport within a historic re-enactment. Vintage clubs re-enact a specific time in base ball’s history, and adhere to the rules, vernacular, uniforms, customs, and equipment of the day. The Bay City club will be re-enacting the time period of the city’s earliest club, the 1865 Washington Club, and it is hoped that Bay City can re-write history and wrest the championship from the hands of the mighty Detroit Base Ball Club. The following vintage base ball clubs have already committed to the re-enactment date of September 27, 2008.

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