Media contacts: Kim Schuette: 614.297.2314 or kschuette@ohiohistory.org

For Immediate Release

Play Ball! Ohio Village Muffins And Their Grand Old Game
Season Opener Sunday, April 5

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – The Ohio Historical Society announces the 2009 season of the Ohio Village Muffins, the nation's premiere men's vintage base ball club. The opening game will be Saturday, April 5 at 2 p.m. at the Ohio Village in Columbus.

The Muffins play 1860s base ball (two words) based on the original rules of the game as created by the New York Knickerbocker Club in 1845. Players umpires and scorekeepers dress in period attire and play base ball "as it was meant to be played," according to James R. Tootle, historian and longtime Muffin player.

Tootle explains that because the game is slow pitch, "Everyone hits, everyone runs and the game is exciting." The Muffins subscribe to the philosophy of 19th-century sports legend Walter Camp, who observed, "Base ball is for every boy a good and wholesome sport. It rests his eyes, strengthens his lungs, and teaches him self-reliance and courage. Every mother ought to rejoice when her boy says he is on the school or the college nine."

Muffins play by a Victorian Gentleman's code of conduct. A Muffin can do nothing to offend a lady, such as spitting or using uncivil language. He can dictate where the pitcher will throw the ball as well as announce his intention of where it will go, like Babe Ruth calling a home run. Everyone plays not for victory, but for both the cause of sportsmanship and the enjoyment of the crowd.

The team is intent on fresh air exercise and education about the game as well as mixing with the crowd. The crowd is encouraged to cheer for good plays on either side. Players range in age from 16 to over 60.

"Many of us have played with the club for nearly two decades, and we take Ohio history and our gentlemanly sport seriously," Tootle says. "We'll travel to 11 Ohio counties and two states in the coming season, logging more than 2,000 miles."

Muffin players use wooden bats that are no bigger than 2.5 inches in diameter, but may be of any length. The ball is covered by a single piece of leather. There are no gloves or protective equipment. They don't keep track of individual statistics, but they do score the courtesy sportsmanship and the true gentlemanly code of the Victorian Era.

Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for youth ages 6-12. Ohio Historical Society members are free. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free. Parking is $4 per vehicle and free to OHS members. Please call the Ohio Historical Society to confirm dates and times of games.

The Ohio Village Muffins and Lady Diamonds, the vintage base ball club for women, are dedicated to the preservation of the game's legacy and the growth of vintage base ball throughout the state and country. For more information about the Muffins or Lady Diamonds, go online at www.ohiohistory.org/muffins.

Ohio Village is a recreated 19th-century town and is located next to the Ohio Historical Center at I-71 and East 17th Ave. in Columbus. It is one of 59 sites operated by the Ohio Historical Society, a nonprofit organization that serves as the state's partner in preserving and interpreting Ohio's history, archaeology and natural history. To confirm the Muffins' games or for more information about other Ohio Historical Society events, call 614.297.2300/800.686.6124 or visit www.ohiohistory.org/muffins.

Thank you for your interest in the Ohio Historical Society!