FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WMOT) -- Tennessee Vintage base ball will wrap up its season this weekend with a tournament that will crown the league champion.
There are now 10 vintage base ball teams in Tennessee. The game is played by rules from the 1860s when base ball was in its infancy.
League Vice President Jeff “Skeeter” Davis says this is the game you played as a child, but there are significant differences.
“Gloves had not been invented yet, so it is a barehanded base ball game. Some of the key rule differences include the 'own the bound' rule; where the hitter is out if the fielder catches it on the first bounce."
Davis says the game also has its own language.
“’Toss the pill’, or the ‘onion’ rather than the ball. ‘Swing the willow’ rather than a bat, and rather than hustle we’ll tell somebody to ‘show some ginger.’”
Vintage base ball is also a more genteel game, so you won’t hear any trash talking on the sidelines.
The first round games will be played tomorrow beginning at 10 a.m. at Carnton Plantation in Franklin. The Semi-final games will be played Sunday at noon with the championship game set for 2:30 p.m.