Community News

The Union Base Ball Club of Dexter is looking to add members to our club for the upcoming 2024 season. We play historic base ball (yes, two words) using the rules and customs of the 1860’s when base ball was just becoming an organized sport. We are a community based club, playing for the love of the game with a focus on fun and camaraderie.

Our season runs from May through the beginning of September playing one game almost every weekend during that time. With our club, anyone that shows up for a game gets to play, both in the field and batting.

We currently have men ranging in age from their early 30’s to their 60’s representing all different skill levels. Although our games are competitive, they are friendly competition and are well suited for players of different ages and skill levels. We do travel for games, usually no more than 90 minutes, to places like Lansing, Detroit, Royal Oak, and Greenfield Village in Dearborn.

Even though our club is based in Dexter, we have players from many different places in Washtenaw and Livingston counties.

We play by the rules of the 1860’s which means we wear period appropriate uniforms and observe the civil war era rules as much as possible. One of the biggest differences you will see is that we do not use gloves of any sort. The ball we use is also slightly bigger and a little bit softer than a modern ball. We use only wood bats and play on completely grass fields, no dirt infields in the 1860’s. Visually, the game is still very similar to what is played today, with minor differences.

If you are interested in finding out more, contact Donovan Hill at unionbbc@gmail.com and visit our website at unionbbc.com.