GETTYSBURG, Pa. — The Gettysburg National 19th Century Base Ball Festival will return July 18-19, bringing one of the nation’s largest gatherings of vintage baseball clubs back to Adams County.
Now in its 16th year, the event — sponsored by the Steinwehr Avenue Business Improvement District — will feature 26 clubs from across the United States competing under the rules, customs and spirit of 1864. Games will take place at fields located at 965 Pumping Station Rd.
The festival recreates baseball as it was played in the mid-19th century, with players wearing period uniforms and using historically accurate equipment. Notably, the game is played without gloves, and pitchers deliver the ball with the intent of encouraging contact rather than overpowering hitters.
Organizers say the event offers a unique perspective on Gettysburg’s history, focusing on everyday life during the Civil War era rather than the battlefield.
“We wanted to show a different side of the town besides blood and battles,” organizers said. “When fans come out, they see how the game was played in Gettysburg in 1864.”
The festival began in 2010 as a six-club tournament at Hickory Hollow Farm after regional teams sought a central location to compete. With support from Destination Gettysburg and local partners, the event quickly expanded into a nationally recognized gathering.
Beyond the games, the festival emphasizes community involvement and charitable giving. Each year, Gettysburg Little League operates parking for the event, raising funds to help offset costs for local youth players. Organizers have also contributed to battlefield preservation efforts and local charitable initiatives, including cancer research fundraising.
Festival organizers describe the weekend as both a reunion for players and an educational experience for spectators.
The public is invited to attend and experience a version of baseball that predates modern commercialization — a game centered on sportsmanship, recreation and community.
