Tuesday, June 7, 2016, 7:15 pm.
Township of Ocean Board of Education Offices (Old Oakhurst School), Auditorium, 163 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, NJ 07755
June speaker combines a love of history and baseball
Russ McIver, vintage baseball player, will “take us out to the ball game,” 7:15, June 7, at the Oakhurst School (Board of Education) auditorium. Russ will “pitch” his love for old-time baseball, the kind played in the late 1800s. No masks. no gloves, and a different set of rules.
Vintage baseball has a loyal following across the country and New Jersey is no exception. Fitting, since the first competitive game was played right here at Elysian Fields in Hoboken in 1846.
Russ played in high school and never lost his love for the game. His vintage club, the Monmouth Furnace, is based in Allaire State Park. The team travels throughout the region playing exhibition games with other clubs whose mission is to keep baseball alive as it was played during its formative years in the 19th century.
Russ is a history buff as well as a baseball aficionado. If you think Abner Doubleday is the father of baseball, think again. Russ will give us the real skinny on the myths, legends, and heroes of his beloved sport.
It’s spring. It’s baseball season. How can you resist learning more about a sport that bears the label “Made in the USA”?
Join us in the bleachers at 7:15, Tuesday, June 7, when Russ steps up to home plate in period uniform to share stories of 19th century baseball as it was played here in Monmouth County.
The speaker event is open to the public, free of charge. (Bring your non-perishable donations for the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.)