Here are some quick notes—in modern terms—to help you understand the vintage game. Before you take in a game, be sure to click on the "Glossary of Vintage Baseball Terms" in the column at right.

Balls

The ball of the 1860s was a bit larger, heavier and softer than the modern hardball. The old-style ball is made with a rubber core surrounded with woolen yarn and a one-piece (as opposed to today's two-piece) leather cover. Vintage baseball players are cautioned against casual play, as broken fingers are a constant threat.

In the 1860s, bats were made of many types of wood, but like today, ash was the most popular. Most Vintage Base Ball Association (VBBA) clubs use hand-turned bats for authenticity.

The first batter in an inning is the one who bats after the person making the last out in the previous inning. Suppose the batter in front of you gets on first with a hit and you hit a grounder to the shortstop who forces the runner at second for the third out. The next inning, you would lead off because the final out was made by the runner at second.

Balls are considered fair if they first hit the ground in fair territory. Skilled batters will sometimes intentionally hit the ball so that it hits in fair territory in front of home and springs into foul territory. Whereas today this would be a foul ball, it is fair in the vintage game.

The bases are 90 feet apart like today. The pitcher stands 45 feet from home and pitches underhand, though he may do so swiftly.

The force play stays on even if the first out is made behind the runner. For instance, if a base runner is at first base and a ground ball is hit to the first baseman, he can touch first base and then throw to second for a force out to complete the double play. In the modern game, it would be a tag play at second in this situation.

No runner can advance on a foul ball and a foul ball becomes live once the pitcher touches it. On fouls, the pitcher is advised to cover the appropriate base to attempt to record an out if the base runner is late in returning to his base.

Baseball players caught the ball with bare hands until the 1880s. Early gloves were introduced by catchers and first basemen in the late 1870s, and by 1890, almost all players were wearing gloves. Similarly, the catcher's equipment was gradually introduced in the 1870s and 1880s, particularly after pitching turned overhand and catchers had to move forward to attempt to throw out base stealers.

Until 1864, the batter was out if the ball was caught on one bound. However, base runners are not forced to run on a one-bounder and the force play is off in such a situation. Many players will attempt to catch balls on the fly, as that requires base runners to tag up.

Stealing was far less common than today. Runners would however take extra bases on passed balls and overthrows. Sliding, although not unheard of, was fairly uncommon until a bit later in the period. In keeping with the gentlemanly spirit of the times, many VBBA clubs do not allow sliding.