(Chelsea Update would like to thank “Honest Jon” Van Hoek for the information and photos in this story.)
The Monitor and Merrimack Base Ball Clubs of Chelsea invite you to come enjoy the exciting and unique pastime of vintage base ball on Saturday, July 21 at Chelsea High School at the Ironclad Festival.
This will be the third Ironclad here in town, a day-long celebration of the origins of our nation’s pastime. Eight men’s and ladies’ clubs from around Michigan will be playing matches on three separate fields throughout the day, on the expanse beyond the tennis courts at CHS.
As always, there is no charge for admission to the Ironclad. Just bring yourself, your friends, family and neighbors, and some lawn chairs. The Kiwanis Club trailer will be on hand to provide refreshments throughout the day, and at noon enjoy live music from the talented Brian Brill.
You cannot beat the price, nor the commute to this great event.
If you haven’t yet experienced vintage base ball, you’ll love seeing the combination of dynamic sporting competition with historical re-enactment, played out for you in exciting and unscripted matches of 1860-rules baseball. No sliding, no spitting, no swearing. No gloves. All with hustle, sportsmanship and camaraderie at its core.
Become involved with this great pastime. Anyone interested is invited to not only come watch our matches, but also come practice with us and be a part of our match days. Weekly practices take place at Timbertown Park in Chelsea, and are open to anyone interested, regardless of skill or age. Well, 18 years plus, please. But most of us are well beyond that stage of our lives.
The Ironclad Festival is made possible and free to the public by the generous support the 5 Healthy Towns Foundation.
For more information about the event: [email protected], www.chelseamonitors.com, www.facebook.com/ChelseaMonitors.
