HomeLocal News

The first meeting of the Hannibal Vintage Base Ball Association was Aug. 31 at City Fairgrounds Park on South Main Street in Hannibal. Those in attendance formed Hannibal's first vintage base ball team, the Hannibal Nationals. The Nationals were originally formed in 1871 and played exhibition matches against the likes of the Cincinnati Red Stockings and the St. Louis Cardinals in the late 1870s, as well as matches against teams from the area. A second community team, the South Side Stars, was formed in 1882.

The Nationals have adopted a green and white uniform, in the vintage-style, with a vintage "Chicago-style" cap. The team is looking for local sponsorship to help offset the expenses of starting their team. The team's first official practice will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at City Fairgrounds Park on South Main Street, just south of Bear Creek. The practice field is at the corner of Sycamore and Adams.

The Nationals have already received invitations to play matches this fall and has tentatively scheduled two matches for Saturday, Oct. 19, coinciding with Hannibal's Folklife Festival as well as the Battle of Palmyra reenactment. The Nationals have also been invited to travel to Washington, Mo., to play the Washington Eagles this fall. Invitations to play in St. Louis and Washington, Decatur, Ill., and Watkins Mill State Park in western Missouri, have already been received. The Nationals hope to draw teams from other parts of the country for Tom Sawyer Days 2003, as well as other dates.

Everyone is invited to come, practice and give vintage base ball a try. For more information, contact Jason Cruse at (573) 406-0643 or jcruse@socket.net.