JUST in time. Much to the outrage of baseball purists over the slapping of the logo of the big-budget “Spider-Man 2” movie on parts of the fields of ballparks around the country – even (gasp!) the Yankees will web-up their on-deck circle during a game at the Stadium – a group of local ballplayers is playing with tradition. Tradition from the 1860s!
The Gotham Base Ball Club (back then, the game was two words; take our word for it) plays not only with old-fashioned uniforms, but with old rules, too. No designated hitter in this game.
The pitcher’s mound is only 45 feet from home plate (it’s 60 feet and 6 inches today), the pitchers toss underhanded and it’s just three balls for a walk.
The Gothams, named for a real 1860s team in New York, play their home season opener tomorrow on Central Park’s Great Lawn, fields seven and eight (midpark, from 79th to 85th streets) at noon, against the Providence Grays. For more info on the team, log onto http://www.1864gothams.com.