Holding on to the best of our
historic principles, family values, and moral fiber is one of the goals
of our Sylvania Community. Although we do not advocate going back to
the horse and buggy days, it is important to remember and celebrate our
old time heritage. One of the ways we honor our heritage is through the
recreation of vintage base ball matches by the Great Black Swamp Frogs
Base Ball Club. The Frogs play Civil War Era base ball using
rules codified in 1860. Players wear old time uniforms, the
umpire and the scorer appear in period attire, and even some of the
spectators in the bleachers don historic dress. Many other communities
across North America also field vintage base ball teams.
The Frogs, based in Sylvania, Ohio, are so named because of The Great
Black Swamp that once covered much of the northwest Ohio area and
because Toledo was known as Frogtown. The game that the Frogs
play is fundamentally the same as baseball today; differences in rules,
strategies, and equipment are portrayed and duplicated as accurately as
possible. In the mid-nineteenth century, base ball was two words
and an
amateur game played by respectable gentlemen.
The Frogs, along with their families, recreate these social and
recreational events.
If you would like to schedule a match with the Frogs for next season,
contact Chris "Peach" Pitman (419-824-8011),
Brad
"Doc" James (419-885-1893) or
Rick "Sparky" Fuchs
(419-843-1725). Also, let us know if you are interested in
becoming part of the Frogs' team, as a player, scorekeeper, or umpire.
