Team Information

The Melrose Pondfeilders Vintage Base Ball Club was founded in July of 2001. The team played its first game in September 2001 against the Bristol Blues of Rhode Island at Pine Banks Park. Melrose is a founding club in the New England Vintage Base Ball League (NEVBBL). During the 2002 season the Pondfeilders captured the Capital City Cup in the 1860 division of the Hartford Vintage Base Ball Invitational. The team is comprised mostly of people who work, live, or grew up in Melrose. The Pondfeilders are dedicated to emulating the rules of 1860’s base ball (two words at the time).

Base Ball of the 1860’s is a fast paced exciting game similar to the modern game in many respects with the major exceptions being the equipment and certain key rules. Vintage base ball players use a ball slightly larger than a modern baseball which has a cover stitched from a single piece of leather. The bats used are typically larger and heavier than their modern counterparts and are often shaped differently. The players do not wear gloves and wear uniforms based on 19th century designs.

The ball in 1860’s base ball was pitched underhand (below the shoulder) from 45 feet. Balls or strikes were not called unless a pitcher or batter was thought to be delaying the game in the umpire’s estimation. Balls struck in fair territory, regardless of whether they roll foul, are in play. First base may not be overrun if a runner does so he is subject to being tagged out. Balls that bound on the ground once may be caught for an out, although it was considered unmanly to do so if the ball could be caught in the air.

It is the Pondfeilders hope to create a better appreciation for the history of early base ball and its customs. All Pondfeilders games are open to the public and free of charge. Please visit the schedule section to see upcoming games and directions. All inquiries to the Pondfeilders may be directed to the administrator.