The Brandywine Base Ball Club (BBC), a Chester County-based organization that plays the 1860s version of the game, is currently seeking players interested in joining the team as well as spectators looking to spend time immersed in the sport as it used to be played during the Civil War era.

Team members, who choose imaginative old-time names like Stonewall, Tuffy and Shaggy, take the field without gloves and no modern equipment, wearing authentic uniforms.

Team members follow the 1864 rules of base ball (how it was originally spelled), which means that only one ball is used during the course of the game. "All of the vintage balls are hand-sewn, and traditionally you used one ball because they did not have a lot of them," said Jess Berzon, the team's marketing officer. "They are traditional lemon peel balls, and they have this really interesting pattern. They are a little bit softer than a traditional baseball, which makes it easier for the players to catch it with their bare hands."

She noted that the team is open to both men and women players. "Players can give it a try before joining," said Berzon. "If you are interested and don't have a lot of time, we are accepting players with different schedules."

The BBC, which includes players from Montgomery, Chester and Delaware counties, plays a team from Philadelphia as well as the Diamond State team from Delaware, among others. "This team is basically the closest team for many people," Berzon said, noting that the club's home field is located at East Goshen Park, 1661 Paoli Pike, West Chester. "Most people are in driving distance from East Goshen Park."

One of the highlights of the year is when the team plays at the annual Duryea Day celebration held on Labor Day Weekend in Boyertown. The event features hundreds of vehicles on display as well as craft and food vendors. "Duryea Day really showcases the game. It is a big event with a lot of people," said Berzon. "It is very historical."

For spectators, attending a game is a way to experience a living history lesson. "They can cheer (on the players), and the spectators get engaged with the games," Berzon said, noting that the team members are available to provide information about the game. "If you ask questions, it's not like a formalized game, where you can't talk to the players."

In fact, players frequently interact with the crowd and explain different aspects of the game. "During one home game, they got people up batting with them. (They invited) people to try and hit," Berzon noted. "They want people to play and people to learn."

Even though the games are historically accurate, the players still enjoy winning. "The Brandywine BBC doesn't just play - they celebrate vintage base ball," Berzon added. "(The games are) as much about camaraderie as competition ... and a tribute to the origins of America's favorite pastime."

For more information about the Brandywine Base Ball Club, visit www.brandywinebbc.org or www.facebook.com/BrandywineBBC. Prospective players may send a message to the team on Facebook, fill out the contact form on the website or email brandywinebbc@gmail.com.