Want to try baseball as it was played in 1864? Now is your chance

LEEDS—For David Gabrielson, baseball isn't just a game. It's a chance to step back in time.

A lifetime Greene County resident, Gabrielson has spent the last three years playing vintage baseball with three Ulster County clubs: the Kingston Guards, the Ulster 9, and the Rip Van Winkle Vintage Club. Now, he hopes to bring the growing sport to his home county.

Gabrielson's love of baseball began at an early age. He played throughout high school before going on to coach players at every level of Little League. Over the years, he also competed on numerous softball teams, but it wasn't until he tried vintage baseball that he found a new passion.

"I tried it once and I loved it," said Gabrielson.

Unlike the modern game, vintage baseball follows the rules of 1864, creating a very different experience for both players and spectators.

"We do not use mitts when we play. Everything is bare-handed, and our pitcher throws underhanded," Gabrielson explained. "Those are just a few of the rules that make it more challenging."

Despite the added difficulty, Gabrielson believes that's exactly what makes the game so enjoyable.

"It is so much more fun," he said.

Vintage baseball has continued to gain momentum across the Hudson Valley, with clubs forming in many neighboring counties. Gabrielson believes Greene County is ready to join that movement.

"Vintage baseball's popularity is growing, and we see a lot of teams established in all of the surrounding counties," he said. "We would love one here in Greene County."

To introduce local residents to the sport, Gabrielson and fellow vintage baseball enthusiasts will host a free exhibition game at Meadowbrook Farms in Leeds on Saturday, August 23. The first pitch is at noon.

The exhibition is designed to showcase the unique style of play while encouraging community members to consider joining a future Greene County team. Organizers hope the event will attract both new fans and prospective players interested in preserving one of America's earliest versions of the national pastime.

The event is free and family friendly. Following the game, children will be invited onto the field to take a swing with the bat and run the bases, giving them an opportunity to experience baseball the way it was played more than 160 years ago.

For Gabrielson, the exhibition is about more than nostalgia. It's about building a community around a historic game and inspiring a new generation of players right here in Greene County.