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FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Farmers Branch Mustangs vintage base ball (spelled with two words in 1863) club was established in 2006 and has quickly become the premier feature of the Farmers Branch Historical Park’s Living History Interpretation Program. With more than 25 players on the roster, the Mustangs play in uniforms copied from the Farmers Branch base ball team of 1908 for which pictorial documentation exists.
By recreating the sights and sounds of a mid-nineteenth-century base ball game, interpreters and volunteers illustrate how baseball has changed between then and now. When the team takes the field they will seek not only to “show a little ginger” but also to provide a glimpse into regional history.
You’ll hear language from days gone by such as “Well struck, sir!” at the crack of the (19th century replica) bat, and “Leg it! Leg it!” as runners round the bases. And of course, “Huzzah!” – The equivalent of our modern-day “hurrah!” Spectators, called “cranks” in 1860-vernacular, enjoy player introductions at the beginning of each game. Keeping with tradition, each player has his or her own nickname. With a tip of the cap, you’ll meet Rooster, Lefty, Scoop, Catfish and Pitch, to name a few.
Due to the success of the vintage base ball program, the Historical Park has formed a second team, the Rawhide Creek Tanners. The Tanners are named after the first tannery in Dallas County, which was located in Farmers Branch. According to local legend, R. J. West built his tannery on the creek, which runs south of the present intersection of Valley View Lane and Denton Drive. Due to the demand for leather, Mr. West did not allow the hides to cure in the vats long enough so that when they became dry they were extremely hard. Jokingly, the branch became known as “Rawhide,” a name that remains to the present day.
“This program has been a real plus for the Park. It has allowed us to reach out to not just our local community but to the entire metroplex,” stated Derrick Birdsall, Historical Park Superintendent. “Of course we have Farmers Branch residents in our program but we have just as many non-resident players. One of the great things about the team is that they travel around the state promoting Vintage Base Ball and Farmers Branch.”Today Farmers Branch Vintage Base Ball is baseball played by 1860’s rules. Participants play with bare hands and fair balls caught on one bounce are considered outs. Batted balls are considered fair or foul based on where the ball first touches the ground. (A ball hit in front of home plate that then spins into foul territory is still a fair ball.) Uniforms and equipment are authentic to the time period and the ball itself is larger than today’s baseball, but smaller than a softball. There are a number of other differences in the rules for vintage games, but modern spectators would still recognize it as “baseball”.
The Mustangs and the Tanners practice at the Historical Park on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM and are looking for able-bodied baseball enthusiasts to join up. For more information, feel free to contact Barbara Judkins, Museum Educator at 972-919-8731.
