By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
Southern California Vintage Base Ball is alive and well in the San Bernardino Mountains. The Crestline Highlanders team was one of the founding teams in the SoCal Vintage Base Ball League back in 2018. Since 2018, SoCal Vintage Base Ball has spread from the Inland Empire to Riverside County, San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles and Orange County.
The teams play gentlemen base ball under 1886 rules, using replica uniforms, balls, 44-ounce wooden bats, which are five ounces heavier than current day bats, and each game only lasts seven innings.
team captain chris dodd aka glovebox shows the scoreboard of the highlanders’ win over the riverside smudgepots. (photos by douglas w. motley)
The hurler (aka pitcher) can throw seven balls before a walk, but the rule is still three strikes and you are out. There are other rules that look unusual to the modern eyes, such as the “hidden ball play” that can lead to an out, if the at-bat team forgets where the ball is when still in play.
Some of the differences between vintage base ball and modern baseball are visually obvious, since they use small replica gloves, not mitts, to catch the balls so fewer fly balls are caught. They are usually just swatted out of the air so they can grab them and, since in theory the same ball is used throughout the game, the handmade ball gets softer as it gets hit and fielded as the game progresses.
The umpire – the Sir – is a top-hat-wearing man standing next to the hurler, who cannot be argued with. This comes from history, as in the 1880s the Sir was probably one of the most respected men in town such as the town judge or doctor. It was always wise to have a doctor nearby when playing sports in those days and a judge could decide any disputes when the hurler got tired or changed positions, often out into the field, as most teams have smallish rosters. All players may play numerous positions during the game. Profanity is not permitted by team members, nor by the “cranks” (fans) on the bleacher seats.
Every player earns a nickname they play under. Ripper Joe can really hit the ball and often rips them out of the park. Ripper moved to the mountains in 2017, has been playing baseball all his life and enjoys being on this adult team. He wanted to do something and be a part of the community and getting to play vintage base ball is exciting for him. The team was in the Jamboree Days parade and last year was part of Le Grand Picnic.
Harich Park is one of the favorite ballfields in the league because, in addition to it being cool up here in July, August and September, Harich ballpark is known in the league as the home run ballpark. When the expensive balls are hit out, they are lost in the forest and, unfortunately, inaccessible. But, when a pop-up foul ball flies over the backstop cage, the younger cranks can run into that part of forest across the street and retrieve the expensive handmade balls. It’s a fun part of the game for the cranks, but behind the backstop is not a good place to park a car.
Last week, the Crestline Highlanders Vintage Base Ball team beat the Riverside Smudgepots, another of the original league teams from 2018, at Harich Field. In fact, the Smudgepots are a former league champion of the Southern California Vintage Base Ball League, winning that championship trophy the first year. They defeated the Highlanders that season for that trophy. The two teams have a history of facing off against each other; both teams are intent on winning.
Gus Otey enjoying the vintage base ball game.
Last week’s game between the Smudgepots and Highlanders was a tight one, with both teams ahead at various times in the game. As the Highlanders were entering into the bottom of the last inning, the teams were tied and the Highlanders did not want to tie (which was a possibility since they only play seven innings or two hours maximum) – they wanted a win.
Ripper Joe came up to bat in the bottom of the 7th and last inning). It was 10-10 with one out. Ripper lived up to his nickname and ripped a home run out of the park and over the back of the field fence, giving the Highlanders the win.
Last week, Gus Otay was one of the cranks sitting in the bleachers. The young man brought his own child’s plastic bat to the game. “I really like baseball,” said Gus. “When I grow up, I want to play baseball, too.” His father, Robert, was one of the players and he was really impressed by the game and it kept his attention.
Dr. Paul, who attends most of the Highlanders games added, “I can’t imagine catching a ball with those golf style gloves.”
This weekend, the Highlanders invite all cranks to come out to Harich Field for the 11 a.m. first pitch and watch the game on Aug. 16 against Temecula. It should be another great game; the weather will be perfect and it will be the last game at this park for the regular season of play.
The next three games after that will be away games for the Highlanders in Riverside, Perris and against Lordsburg. The championship games may possibly be played again at Harich as they have been every previous year. See their Facebook page at Crestline Highlanders Vintage Base Ball Club to keep up with the team’s progress.
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