News Release

Play a Game of Civil War Base Ball at Appomattox Court House NHP

NPS

News Release Date: June 17, 2025
Contact: Brian Miller, 434-665-6331

Appomattox, Va— Join Appomattox Court House National Historical Park for a day of ‘base ball’ (spelled with two words in the 1860s) at your local National Park on Saturday, July 5, 2025. All visitors are welcome to physically join in playing a game of ‘base ball’ following Civil War era rules. Games will be held, weather permitting, at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM respectively and are held for 1-1.5 hours.

Historic rules include that the batter is out if a hit ball is caught on one bounce and also by ‘soaking’ (hitting the runner with the ball between bases). The ball is much softer than it is today. There is no need to bring a mitt, as they were not used, but the Park will provide period correct bats and balls. Both Federal and Confederate soldiers enjoyed escaping from the tedium of war by playing what would become America’s favorite pastime.

—NPS— 

About Appomattox Court House National Historical Park: On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the end of the nation's largest war. The stories of Appomattox Court House go far beyond the final significant battles of this nation's Civil War. Learn more at www.nps.gov/apco. 

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's more than 430 national park units and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice. 

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