Origins of team Liberty, then and now
Liberty BBC was a team that played in 1867 and 1868 against Yale University. It was in a group of teams that were among the very best of its era. We are just now trying to uncover some the history and past glories of the Liberty base ball club but to this point we still do not know much. We do know that they played out of Norwalk Ct. as their home city.
Today’s Liberty Base Ball Club is made up of players from Massachusetts, Connecticut and Long Island NY. We have gotten much of our spirit, encouragement and guidance from the good people from LI who have been associated with the modern resurgence of 19th century base ball in America. Lead by Erick “spalding” Micklich who has played in close to 700 19th century base ball games himself and not to mention all the numerous events and support and trainings he has done over the years. You could also get more great info on 19th century base ball on his site www.19thcenturybaseball.com .
The captain of Liberty BBC is Jeff “Pine Tar” Kornhaas. Pine Tar just started out wanting a general 19th century base ball uniform that he could use to fill in with any team that would have him play. When he could not find one “off the shelf” he decided to have one made and designed himself. Well that is when it all started, ha ha. Many of his friends saw what he had done and they also wanted the same uniform so after 6 or 7 great friends and good ball players bought into the uniform it was realized that a team was born. This is when Pine Tar turned to the talents and wisdom of Ray “Shutta” Shaw to help make his designs and vision come to life. Shutta is another one of the mentors and associates to Liberty. It was also Shutta that uncovered the Liberty team from Norwalk Ct and provided some of the early info on them. As you will see the Liberty uniform is quite a unique and colorful piece of art as well as a great example of a 19th century base ball uniform. Shutta did so much to help design and launch Liberty and now continues to help guide and advise us on the better parts of 19th century and its style of play.
Liberty is always interested in helping new teams emerge; introducing 19th century base ball to new people and helping new players come to love the game. So if you have any questions or interest in Liberty or 19th century base ball then feel free to send out the town crier to send me word of your interest. (I mean it is not as if your voice could just fly through air in some mystical means so that I could hear you and understand what you are talking about, So send out a note, letter hand carried by our most trusted courier system,, LOL)
Huzzah to all who have read this
Pine Tar
PS: this is the first attempt and I am sure that editing will follow,, ha ha
