Akron Black Stockings

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Akron Black Stockings Vintage base ball club from Akron, OH. Home games are played on the great meadow of this historic Tudor Revival mansion.

The Akron Black Stockings Base Ball Club was organized in 1995 to keep the history of the sport alive and to promote good sportsmanship. Mark Heppner, the former Curator of Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens who was instrumental in organizing the Club in 1995, marvels, “I simply saw a need to remind people of what was important about the game of baseball – fun, entertainment, and gentlemanly competition. The success of the Akron Black Stockings has truly surpassed any dream that I had!”

The team is supported by members of the community and based at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens. Costumed players and an umpire call this makeshift, all-grass-diamond field home! According to tradition, the gear used is minimal – no gloves (players catch balls with their bare hands), a slightly larger and softer ball than the type used today, and a thin bat. The look and attire of the Akron Black Stockings Base Ball Club was originally based on the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings. In 1996, the Black Stockings joined the Vintage Base Ball Association. The Association provides both a forum to discuss the accuracy of historical representation and a place for teams to meet and swap stories and recount big games. The Akron Black Stockings' Club motto:
“Playing the game of base ball as it was meant to be played.”

A few shots from this weekend's Vintage Base Ball game vs Spiegel Grove Squires and Akron Black Stockings.With Lori Lump...
09/28/2026

A few shots from this weekend's Vintage Base Ball game vs Spiegel Grove Squires and Akron Black Stockings.
With Lori Lumpp Gay Chase ZonfaErica Marie Chris Zonfa Hannah Searle Stump cal curtin Don Jarvis Chad Riffle Eric Longville Tyler Cross
Billy Gay PK PK Custom Cards And Collectibles 19th century base ball players

A few shots from Akron Black Stockings vs Youngstown State. What a fun day! Thanks to YSU and their baseball team for ho...
09/21/2026

A few shots from Akron Black Stockings vs Youngstown State. What a fun day! Thanks to YSU and their baseball team for hosting us.

For many, the weekend consists of two days, Saturday and Sunday.For the Black Stockings, the PERFECT weekend consists of...
09/21/2026

For many, the weekend consists of two days, Saturday and Sunday.

For the Black Stockings, the PERFECT weekend consists of baseball Saturday AND Sunday, and despite the Sunday rain, this was the perfect weekend!

Saturday included a trip to Youngstown, OH, for a friendly match against the Youngstown State Baseball alumni - after explaining the rules, sharing a few mixed team innings, and a 9-inning match, everyone shared the victory bringing vintage baseball to a new crowd and making new friends, including Pete the Penguin and Penny!

As the close of the 2026 season draws near, Sunday saw a soggy return to our home field of 31 years, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, welcoming the Mansfield Independents Base Ball Club and Canal Dover Redlegs for our final home matches of the season. Regardless of scores, the true winners of the day were the meteorologists (your hourly weather was wrong btw) and any companies that manufacture pop-up tents, because there weren't enough to go around yesterday!

Photo courtesy of Ashley McNamee - thank you!

08/16/2026

TODAY'S MATCHES ARE CANCELED

Unfortunately, after 10 rounds of bat-to-bat combat, mother nature has emerged victorious and decided today is not a great day for baseball 😞 due to the impending storms, today's matches at Hale Farm & Village are canceled. We hope to see you all in Canal Fulton in a couple weeks!

08/15/2026

Have you ever wanted to own your own Black Stockings gear? Now you can! Merchandise can be ordered below - make your selections on the form and we will contact you to coordinate your order 😁 thank you in advance for supporting the Black Stockings!

If you have questions, send us a message or email [email protected].

https://forms.gle/jGPeJX2jkFkkCyGdA

In honor of the game there tonight, here's a little to when we played at The Field of Dreams! What an amazing place. "...
08/13/2026

In honor of the game there tonight, here's a little to when we played at The Field of Dreams! What an amazing place.

"This field, this game — it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again.

Ohh, people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come."

After great games Friday and Saturday at the Annual National Silver Ball Tournament, your Akron Black Stockings went 3-0...
08/02/2026

After great games Friday and Saturday at the Annual National Silver Ball Tournament, your Akron Black Stockings went 3-0. Heading into this morning, we were a game away from a potential Championship game, until we lost the battle against Mother Nature. Sadly, today's game was rained out, ending our chances. Huge thank you to Genesee Country Village & Museum for hosting us, and all the volunteers to make it another great weekend!
Until next year, HUZZAH!!

Address

714 North Portage Path
Akron, OH
44303

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