Watch baseball played by 1800s rules Saturday in Lackawaxen

Turning the calendar back to the 1890s, a vintage baseball game takes place at noon Saturday, Aug. 24, hosted by the National Park Service (NPS) in Lackawaxen.

The game plays on the baseball field in Veterans' Memorial Park across from the fire hall. The NPS Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River reports it is hosting this event in honor of the famed Western novelist Zane Grey, who lived in the house the NPS operates as a museum, a short walk from the ball field.

Before Grey began his writing career, he attended the University of Pennsylvania on a baseball scholarship, where he studied dentistry. "Grey’s passion and talent for baseball lead him to play for the Orange Athletic Club in New Jersey after graduating college. Even though Grey’s minor league baseball career was short-lived, his time on the field and love for the game would lead him to write books such as The Red Headed Outfielder, The Short Stop, and The Young Pitcher," the NPS states .

Saturday's 19th century baseball exhibition features the Mountain Athletic Club and the Elizabeth Resolutes.Wallenpaupack Area Little League will be operating the concession stand. They will be serving popcorn, walking tacos, assorted candy, chips, cold drinks and ice cream in souvenir helmets, the Upper Delaware Council notes.

The old-time teams play according to the 1871 and 1895 rules.

There will be photo opportunities with the vintage baseball teams and life-sized cutout of Zane Grey in his University of Pennsylvania baseball uniform.

Lawn chairs are advised, as there is not seating available at the ballfield. There is free parking, including for those with disabilities, at the Veterans' Memorial Park lot, or the nearby Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission lot at the Zane Grey Museum.

The Zane Grey Museum at 135 Scenic Drive in Lackawaxen will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meet members of the Zane Grey’s West Society throughout the game to learn more about Grey and receive a free souvenir Zane Grey baseball trading card.

Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Watch baseball played by 1800s rules Saturday in Lackawaxen