All library locations will be closed Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5.
Join author Jack Pelikan as he discusses his book "Vintage Base Ball’s Enduring Legacy." He'll talk about the history of the game's Pioneer Era (c. 1840-1870); analyze the post-19th century adaptation that has fragmented the fanbase and motivated some to resurrect the 19th century game; and profile some of today’s vintage clubs. Books available for sale and signing. Adults.
Since its humble origins on Long Island, New York and Columbus, Ohio over 40 years ago, vintage base ball, or the perpetuation of the game as it was played during its formative years in the 19th century, has grown to over 400 clubs nationally. Including the uniforms, vernacular, equipment, rules and gameplay, nearly every detail of the eras portrayed is painstakingly preserved by today’s vintage "ballists."
Author Jack Pelikan will discuss his recently published book "Vintage Base Ball’s Enduring Legacy" (Pocol Press, 2023), including a condensed history of the game's Pioneer Era (c. 1840-1870), analysis of the game’s post-19th century adaptation (e.g., commercialization, collective bargaining, technology, analytics and competitive balancing) that has fragmented the fanbase and motivated some to resurrect the 19th century game, and profiles of some of today’s vintage clubs from across the country, including a chapter on St. Louis.
Jack Pelikan, CPA, CISA, CISSP, is a business professional, university professor, Society for American Baseball Research member and author. While now a resident of Columbia, Mr. Pelikan grew up in St. Louis and witnessed the area’s 19th century base ball revival while living in the city’s Lafayette Square neighborhood, home of one of the first organized base ball clubs west of the Mississippi and now home to two prominent vintage clubs (St. Louis Perfectos and Lafayette Square Cyclone). The compelling yet unheralded stories behind the vintage game and Mr. Pelikan’s passions for baseball history, research and storytelling were the catalysts for the writing and publication of this book.
A Q&A session will follow the presentation, and books will be available for sale and signing afterwards.
Adults.
