World Tournament of Historic Base Ball <sup>®</sup>

World Tournament of Historic Base Ball ^®
August 10-11, 2013

The Greatest Exposition of Historic Base Ball

Step back in time to 1867 as vintage baseball clubs from around the country compete by the game’s early rules in the greatest two-day exposition of historic baseball ever seen!

Clubs engage for two days in throwing, batting and spitfire competition until only one is left to be declared champion of the World Tournament of Historic Base Ball^TM. Add music, food, drama and legendary sports artifacts, and you’ve got everything that made baseball our great national pastime. The World Tournament of Historic Base Ball^TM is free to members and free with Greenfield Village admission.

Get your program!

Click here to view our official Greenfield Village Historic Base Ball website.

sample activities

Saturday, August 10, 9:30am - 5pm

Tournament Games
9:30am – 5pm • Walnut Grove #1 and #2 and Hawthorne Glade
See historic baseball games throughout the day
Earlier games played are done in order to get all Tournament Games completed.
Base Ball Artifact Display
Luther Burbank Birthplace
Come see the actual championship trophy bat awarded to Unknowns from Jackson, Michigan—winners of the first-class division at the World’s Base Ball Tournament in Detroit in 1867 and an original copy of Haney’s Base Ball Book of Reference for 1867 by Henry Chadwick. These and other base ball artifacts will be on display from the Collections of The Henry Ford.
1867 Base Ball Skill Test
10am – 5pm • Village Green
Try your hand at pitching and see how fast you can run the bases
Cricket
11am – 4pm • Village Green
Learn and play another early stick-and-ball game, cricket with expert Tom Melville
Simply Gershwin
11:30am • 12:45pm • 2:15pm • 3:30pm • Town Hall
Model T Medley
11:45am • 2:30pm • Near Scotch Settlement School
A 10-minute music medley with a dash of Model T humor.
Dodworth Saxhorn Band will perform during the games at Walnut Grove and Hawthorne Glade

Sunday, August 11, 9:30am - 5pm

Tournament Games
9:30am – 5pm • Walnut Grove #1 and #2 and Hawthorne Glade
Historic baseball games will be held throughout the day
Earlier games played are done in order to get all Tournament Games completed.
Base Ball Artifact Display
Luther Burbank Birthplace
Come see the actual championship trophy bat awarded to Unknowns from Jackson, Michigan—winners of the first-class division at the World’s Base Ball Tournament in Detroit in 1867 and an original copy of Haney’s Base Ball Book of Reference for 1867 by Henry Chadwick. These and other base ball artifacts will be on display from the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Dodworth Saxhorn Band will perform during the games at Walnut Grove and Hawthorne Glade
1867 Base Ball Skill Test
10am – 5pm • Village Green
Try your hand at pitching and see how fast you can run the bases
Cricket
11am – 4pm • Village Green
Learn and play another early stick-and-ball game, cricket with expert Tom Melville
Simply Gershwin
11:30am • 12:45pm • 2:15pm • 3:30pm
Town Hall
Model T Medley
11:45am • 2:30pm • Near Scotch Settlement School
A 10-minute music medley with a dash of Model T humor.
Players Skills Competition
1:30pm – 2:30pm • Walnut Grove
Come see the most accurate thrower, the fastest runner and the ball thrown the farthest from among the tournament clubs
Championship Game
2:30pm • Walnut Grove #1
Awards Ceremony
Immediately following the Championship Game
Walnut Grove #1

The following will be awarded:
Champion • Finest Catcher • Fastest Base Runner • Farthest Distance Traveled • Reserve Champion • Finest Captain • Finest Pitcher • Henry Chadwick Sportsmanship Award

A $300 cash prize awarded to the champion club, as was one of the original prizes at the 1867 World’s Tournament. The club with the fewest wins will receive a sack of peanuts Awards presented by John Neilson, Director, Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. Pottery handcrafted by the artisans of Liberty Craftworks in Greenfield Village.

pricing

All activities are free with Village admission.

MEMBERS free of charge
NON-MEMBER SENIORS age 62 & up, $22
ADULTS age 13-61, $24
YOUTH age 5-12, $17.50
CHILDREN 4 & under are free.

Parking is $5 per vehicle.

what to bring, what to wear

Greenfield Village is spread over dozens of acres-- comfortable clothing and comfortable shoes are a must. A large portion of activities are held outdoors, rain or shine. Dressing for the weather is a must. Bring umbrellas / rain gear and prepare for a wide range of temperatures, especially if you will be staying into Saturday evening. Folding chairs are also recommended for those who cannot stand for long periods.

Wheelchairs are available for a small fee at the Village entrance. Electric scooters are also available for a fee, but only in limited supply. Wheelchairs and scooters are rented on a first come, first served basis-- plan to arrive early if you need to rent them. You are welcome to bring your own wheelchair or scooter, however, upright scooters (Segways) are not allowed on premises.

Children's wagons are also available to rent for a fee at the Village entrance. You are welcome to bring your own stroller or wagon, however, recreational scooters, bicycles or in-line / in-sole skates are not allowed inside the Village gates.

Bring a camera; photography is allowed in all areas of the Village.

special

Tickets to Greenfield Village are available online, through The Henry Ford Call Center (open 7 days a week, 9am - 5pm) 313-982-6001 and at all admissions counters. Tickets can be mailed when reservations are made 2 weeks or more in advance. Tickets purchased less than 2 weeks out will be held at Village Will Call.

directions/maps

The Henry Ford is located in Dearborn, Michigan on the corner of Village Road and Oakwood Boulevard, just west of the Southfield Freeway (M-39) and south of Michigan Avenue (US-12).

The Henry Ford
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
Dearborn, MI 48124-5029

From the East or West via I-94:
Take I-94 to the Oakwood Boulevard exit; go north on Oakwood. The Henry Ford is 2.5 miles from the exit on the corner of Village Road and Oakwood Boulevard.

From the South via I-75:
Exit to northbound Southfield Freeway (M-39); drive 4.1 miles to Oakwood Boulevard (Exit 4). Left on Oakwood and drive 1.8 miles.

From the North via Southfield Road (or I-96):
Take Southfield Freeway (M-39) south 4.5 miles past I-96 and exit at Michigan avenue (Exit 6). Continue on the Southfield service drive (veer left) for .5 mile. At the first stoplight, turn right onto Village Road (through the iron gates) and drive .75 mile.

Metro Detroit often has major construction projects. Please check the following sites for the latest on construction areas and road closures.

Michigan Department of Transportation

AAA Traffic & Construction Report