LACKAWAXEN, PA – Two baseball teams turned the clock back to the nineteenth century at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Lackawaxen, PA at noon on Saturday, August 24. The Mountain Athletic Club, based out of Fleischmanns, New York, took on the Elizabeth Resolutes from present-day Rahway, New Jersey in an exhibition contest open to the public. The game was put on by the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River of the National Park Service. 

The two teams played a full nine-inning game by 1865 rules and a seven-inning game by the 1870s rules in honor of Western Novelist Zane Grey. The famed author grew up in the house now used as the Zane Grey Museum, located at 135 Scenic Drive in Lackawaxen. 

Before beginning his writing career, Grey attended the University of Pennsylvania on a baseball scholarship and ultimately played for the Orange Athletic Club in New Jersey after college. 

In both early eras of the game of baseball which were played on Saturday, gloves were not yet used and pitchers tossed the ball underhand. Other rules that were abided by included no relief pitchers and the one bounce rule, in which an out was recorded if a player caught a batted ball on one bounce. 

The teams had planned on playing a few innings by the 1895 rules as well, but it was a hot day and they decided to finish up in the 1870s after over three hours of game action. 

The Mountain Athletic Club (MAC) was originally founded in 1895 and resurrected in 2007 by local businessman Todd Pascarella and former Mayor Dave Morell. Pascarella is currently on the team and goes by the nickname, “Moonshine.” They defeated the Resolutes in both games, 18-3 and 18-12. 

The Wallenpaupack Area Little League had a concession stand where they served various food and drinks to patrons. 

Several locals attended the free game and were invited to stop by and speak to members of the Zane Grey’s West Society who had a tent set up, as well as buy gear from the MAC using the honor system. The National Park Service also had a tent up and answered questions throughout the game. 

“I think the day was great and the turnout was pretty excellent,” said Park Ranger Susie Kaspar, who spearheaded bringing the vintage game to the area. “I think we had over 250 people show up which is a little bit more than we anticipated. So that’s great and we’re hoping to try to do this every year.”

Kaspar noted that it’s fascinating to see how differently baseball was played back in the nineteenth century. 

“I love the old uniforms, I love the camaraderie,” she said. “I love that everybody has a nickname as baseball players would have.”

The Mountain Athletic Club will be heading to Sullivan County on Saturday, September 7 as they face off against the Connecticut Base Ball Club of Hartford at the Little World’s Fairgrounds in Grahamsville.