South Orange Rec presents 19th century baseball game Sept. 14 at Cameron Field

Pictured is an umpire from last year’s 19th century game presented by the South Orange Recreation Department.
Pictured are players from last year’s 19th century game presented by the South Orange Recreation Department.

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ – The South Orange Department of Recreation is presenting its annual 19th century baseball game on Saturday, Sept. 14, starting at noon on Cameron Field in South Orange. Part game, part show, part history lesson and all fun, the Flemington, N.J. Neshanock team will play against local volunteers in bare-handed baseball, wearing period uniforms and using rules from 1864 or 1873.

Cameron Field is famous as the venue “where legends played.”  While today the field is used by local leagues and high schools, famous Yankee all-stars Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth and Whitey Ford played on Cameron Field as well as several Negro League stars, including Josh Gibson of the Pittsburgh Crawfords.  Legend has it that one such player hit a ball over the railroad tracks onto Vose Avenue!

Come on out and support our South Orange Villagers!  For more information, contact the Department of Recreation at 973- 378-7754, ext. 2.