As dearly as I love the Tribe, they aren't the only game in town. This afternoon I went out to League Park to watch the Cleveland Blues play a match of vintage baseball against the visiting Rochester Grangers. Playing with period equipment according to rules from the 1860's, the Blues recreate an earlier stage in the development of the sport.
Perhaps the most charming aspect was the respect and good will shared by all the players and fans. Sitting by the first base bag, every "striker" to reach base was greeted with a complement from the first baseman and a handshake. After the visiting team won 9-8, both teams thanked and cheered each other, including the visiting Rochester nine joining in singing "For Love of the Game" to praise the Cleveland Blues.
The original Blues were Cleveland's team in the National League from 1878-1884. Perhaps most notably, the Blues were the hosts of the first ever perfect game in baseball. The current Blues play at the site of League Park, which will soon be renovated and hopefully continue to provide a focal point for Cleveland's baseball history and an appropriate home park for the Blues vintage base ball games.
So a delightful afternoon in the park and a fun game to watch. Good to see this group's dedication to both the history of the game and to having a good time playing! The Blues have a schedule posted with a number of upcoming games this summer, and members of both the Blues and the visiting Rochester Grangers will be out at the Rally Alley before tonight's Indians game. So if you're at the game, go meet some of our other Cleveland team and find out about the history of vintage baseball, or go check them out on the field.
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