ADRIAN — Adrian marked its Bicentennial celebration on July 4th with a unique return to the city’s baseball roots. The Walker Tavern Wheels and a coalition of Detroit-area teams gathered at Island Park for a vintage baseball game played under 1867 rules.
The event drew a large crowd of spectators who lined the hills and tree-covered areas around the field, many seeking shade as temperatures climbed into the 90s. Unlike modern baseball, the vintage game featured underhanded pitching, no gloves, and quirky, historically accurate rules. Players used lemon-peel balls — softer, hand-wound baseballs that loosen as the game progresses — and were required to stop on first base instead of overrunning it. Foul balls could be caught on a bounce for an out, and players had unlimited lead-offs but no open stealing.
Field Captain Steve “Bones” Chase led the Walker Tavern Wheels, a team steeped in tradition and nicknames, a custom verified by newspaper clippings from the 1800s. Other players included local athletes such as catcher Andrew Simpson and Adrian High School’s Jake Raymond, who is known as “Big Hoss” on the field.
The Detroit nine, assembled from teams like the Early Risers and Hamtramck Shamrocks, provided the competition. The teams self-umpired, adding to the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship that defines vintage baseball.
In addition to the game, two young athletes from Adrian Little League, Asher McKee and Bennett Kennard, were honored with the ceremonial first pitches.
The vintage game was played on a field that many locals remember as the former T-ball grounds at Island Park, adding a layer of nostalgia to the event. The natural features of the field — such as trees in play, uneven terrain, and slight hills — further enhanced the historic atmosphere.
The game itself featured lively play, colorful nicknames like “Top Heavy,” “Iron Ore,” “Two Bits,” and “Sticky Mitts,” and a fast-paced, nine-inning structure without commercial breaks. Spectators were treated to unique moments, like the use of the “dead hand” term instead of outs, and the return of old-school practices like barehanded fielding.
The event was part of Adrian’s broader Bicentennial festivities and served as both a tribute to the city’s history and an entertaining display of 19th-century baseball culture.
The community’s strong turnout and enthusiastic participation suggest that vintage baseball could become an annual tradition at Island Park.