By Wassel Sounds

There have been thousands of baseball games played at Greer Stadium over the years, but none quite like the one on Sunday, June 29.

The players on the field donned pillbox hats, and score was kept on a chalkboard instead of the guitar scoreboard.

Fans were doing a double take. Did these players somehow discover time travel?

The answer was no. Instead, Sounds fans were being treated to the first ever Tennessee Association of Vintage Base Ball All-Star Game in Nashville’s first ‘Past & Present Doubleheader’. The league, which is now in its second year of play, features eight teams from around the state that play under the rules and dress found in 1864.

While playing in a style from 150 years ago, there are still many similarities to modern baseball. There are nine players, four bases that are 90 feet apart and an umpire (or “judge”) that controls play.

But there are some big differences as well, with the biggest being that the players don’t wear gloves since they were not invented yet. Another interesting rule from the time as a result is that fielders can catch fly balls on one hop to record an out.

The all-star game, which was the opener of Sunday’s doubleheader, featured plenty of pageantry, including a first pitch from Abraham Lincoln.

The league’s players were also thrilled to get to play on a professional field.

“We have players at all levels from novice to those who played in college,” TAoVBB commissioner Michael Thurmon said. “It’s a dream of any baseball player at any level to play on a professional baseball field. It was a special feeling.”

While the North defeated the South 7–0 in the game, all the particiapants had a fun time, which is what one of the main goals of the association.

“There’s a camaraderie we have,” Thurmon said. “Back then, everyone was out there for fun and playing as a pastime in 1864, and that’s what we try to capture when we play today.”

You can check out more visuals from the event in our photo gallery. More information on the Tennessee Association of Vintage Base Ball official website.