Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. hosted a vintage baseball tournament for fans to experience how the sport would have been played over 150 years ago. Pitchers were known as “hurlers” and players were called “ballists” back in the 19th century. The Somerset Frosty Sons of Thunder, the Addison Mountain Stars, and the Canal Fulton Mules faced off wearing traditional uniforms and following the rules of the game from the 1860s.

The Canal Fulton Mules face off with the Somerset Frosty Sons of Thunder during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
Jason Bell of the Addison Mountain Stars connects with a pitch during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
Ed “Stuntman” Shuman of the Canal Fulton Mules sets the team’s lineup during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
A member of the Addison Mountain Stars face grabs a bat during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
Jeff “Legs” Hay plays in a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
The Somerset Frosty Sons of Thunder and the Addison Mountain Stars face off during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
The Somerset Frosty Sons of Thunder and the Addison Mountain Stars face off during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
The Somerset Frosty Sons of Thunder and the Addison Mountain Stars face off during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
The Addison Mountain Stars face off against the Frosty Sons of Thunder during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
The Somerset Frosty Sons of Thunder and the Addison Mountain Stars face off during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
The Somerset Frosty Sons of Thunder and the Addison Mountain Stars face off during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
The Somerset Frosty Sons of Thunder and the Addison Mountain Stars face off during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
Alex “Catfish” Minnick catches a call at first base during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
Adam “Dirtbag” Johnson connects with a pitch during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
The Somerset Frosty Sons of Thunder and the Addison Mountain Stars face off during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
The Somerset Frosty Sons of Thunder and the Addison Mountain Stars face off during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
The Somerset Frosty Sons of Thunder and the Addison Mountain Stars face off during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
The Somerset Frosty Sons of Thunder and the Canal Fulton Mules face off during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
A vintage hand-stitched baseball is used during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024. This is the type of ball a ballist would have used in the 1860s.
Ed “Stuntman” Shuman of the Canal Fulton Mules catches a pop fly during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
Jim Walbeck of the Mules fields a ball during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
Randy Bailey of the Canal Fulton Mules plays catcher during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.
The Somerset Frosty Sons of Thunder and the Canal Fulton Mules face off during a vintage baseball game at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa. on Aug. 17, 2024.