08/14/2026
EXHIBITION GAME CANCELED :( The Mason Area Historical Museum at 200 E. Oak St. is open on Saturday 8/22 from 10 AM to 3 PM with free admission ‐- rain or shine
1865-Style Base Ball is Topic at the Mason Area Historical Museum August 22 Saturday Morning Forum -- The year 1865 marked the end of the Civil War. 1865 also was an important year in mid-Michigan history. That was the year the town of Mason was incorporated. It was also the year the game of base ball (now spelled baseball) came to Lansing and Mason.
161 years later, the Capital Base Ball Club is reviving the history of their historical 1865 Lansing team. The vintage-style team plays base ball in mid-Michigan against similar clubs with the old-time original 1860s rules, authentic uniforms, and no gloves or mitts. Now you can experience the game as it was originally played at two special events!
On Saturday, August 22, 2026, as part of the Mason Area Historical Society’s celebration of their 50th anniversary and the America 250 commemoration, several members of the Capital Base Ball Club will do a special presentation in downtown Mason. They will discuss the history of vintage base ball at an 11:00 a.m. Saturday Forum in the Virginia Schlichter Auditorium at the Mason Area Historical Museum, 200 E. Oak Street.
They will explain the game of vintage base ball and its rules, delve into the archives of the local 1865 base ball scene, show and tell some of their vintage bats and balls, and provide a schedule and informational brochures. The presentation is free and the Museum is also open that day from 10 AM to 3 PM with free admission.
Mason also had a club in 1865 called the Sheridan Base Ball Club of Mason. The old Lansing team played a series of games against them back in 1865 -- as well as with a later Mason club called the Challengers Club in 1871, so they will include some information about old-time Mason baseball as well.
At 1:00 p.m., the Capital Base Ball Club will play an exhibition game in Mason against the Flint Lumber City Base Ball Club at the south soccer field at Rayner Park, 730 E. Ash Street in Mason. Make sure to bring your lawn chairs and be ready to cheer for the team.
The Mason Area Historical Museum at 200 E. Oak St. is open on Saturday 8/22 from 10 AM to 3 PM with free admission ‐- rain or shine.
The Mason Area Historical Society is a non-profit organization that is dependent upon memberships and donations. They ask you to please consider donating to allow events like this to continue to be offered in the future.
