There is something wholesomely American about a game of baseball. Little boys spend sticky summers on sand lots, stealing bases while kicking up dirt, and dreaming of a home run. And though they grow up, the joy of a catch never does.
It’s why you’ll find a special group of players still chasing a favorite pastime, living in days gone by on weekends each summer – and pretending it's 1867.
You’ll recognize the Regular Base Ball Club of Mount Clemens reenacting the Gentleman’s Game in patriotic red, white and blue, their name and uniform a nod to the full-time professional soldiers who served in the Civil War. In these simpler times, players weren’t paid, sportsmanship was the standard and recreation ruled. Clubs paced off their bases and played in pastures and open parkland, sometimes just avoiding the trees, and when the contest concluded, the host provided a meal for its guests so the revelry could continue. As it did back then, the Regulars blend community and camaraderie, only this time around, the team’s credibility is what sets it apart.
“Although we are playing this game for our own enjoyment and recreation … presenting the game as it was actually played is our mission and engaging, educating and entertaining our spectators is paramount,” says Paul Hunkele, who formed the club in 2002.
The Regulars seek to preserve the original rules, customs and language of a game that was once just a child’s sport. Unlike many vintage teams across the country that combine myth and misinformation or simply don’t regulate it, Paul strives to differentiate the Regulars by replicating the period game. He’s an early baseball authority the National Vintage Base Ball Association called to chair its Rules and Customs Committee, which also oversees uniforms, equipment and terminology of the time. He is also one of the four umpires for the Greenfield Village Historic Baseball Program.
“It’s interesting because you’re learning so much and trying to apply it,” Paul admits. “It’s a big experiment that doesn’t end." There are guidelines on everything that would keep a match authentically-1867: Don’t overrun first base; take a full and safe lead, steal when it is opportune and slide only when needed; never argue with or question the umpire. In this 19th century-esque game, foul balls caught on a bounce are out – so are skyscrapers (balls caught on the fly). Struck balls are deemed fair based on where they first hit the ground: A ground ball that lands in fair territory before rolling outside the baseline into the foul area is still fair.
They pitch underhand, straight-elbowed and with no speed restriction, to the batter who motions where he wants the ball placed: Knee-high, waist-high or shoulder-height. At the crack of his bat, a ballist (player) would put some steam on (run quickly), but his teammate could be caught napping (picked off at his base) or run out (caught stealing) trying to get his second (steal second base).
A maskless catcher, usually one of the best athletes on the team, can play 3- to 4-yards back and throw to the bases, signal to fielders to move in or out or discreetly tip to the pitcher when to throw to a base. Ballists catch barehanded – or get out of the way, jokes Paul, who’s broken nine fingers in his 23 years of playing.
The hand-woven, star-shaped leather ball of the 1860s was slightly larger and heavier than today, though the sting from its speed is likely still the same. Dan Roland, captain of the Regulars since 2022, plays third base – or the “hot corner,” as he calls it.
“You have to learn quickly, or you’ll hurt yourself. You need soft hands to be able to absorb the ball and take its momentum or be brave enough to stick your hands out there to knock it down,” he advises.
The Regulars fill Dan’s zest for history and fondness of friendly rivalry. “We try to be competitive, but at the end of the day we’re doing this really cool thing that not everyone knows about.”
Through September, the club hosts games at their home field, on the grounds of the Clinton Township government offices, 40000 Romeo Plank Road. They travel as guests from Bay City to Holly to Greenfield Village, and this summer, they’ll trek for the first time to Iowa for a match under the lights on the Field of Dreams. You can find days to be a spectator at games by visiting their Facebook page, the Regular Base Ball Club of Mount Clemens.