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NAPPANEE – There’s an old saying that “A river runs through it.” Friday evening, it didn’t quite have a current, but the two small ponds in the middle of the pitch made for interesting obstacles as history crossed over to modern times.

The Elkhart County Railroaders made the bumpy trek to Nappanee to face a patchwork Embracers side as the two squared off in a vintage base ball match. Despite a quick fancy by the Embracers in the final inning, the visitors prevailed, 3-2, in front of a fine gathering of cranks.

A fine sky over southwest Elkhart County had the Elkhart club nine score a single tally in the first inning then get two more to ring the bell in the sixth. Down three, Nappanee striker Farm Dog struck a fine wallop into right field, then came around to give Nappanee its first ace at 3-1. The Embracers struck the ball well in its final chances, getting one tally, but left the tying man on base as the visitors celebrated with a fine huzzah!

The match ended with a salute from both clubs, then all the cranks and players were treated to root beer floats and candy provided by Nappanee manager Rugrat.

“This was a perfect night other than the two small ponds, which made for a difficult challenge to defend,” said Rugrat, who goes by his given name, Arden Graber, off the pitch. “Those ponds would have been good to cool off in had it been warmer. They placed some nice shots in there that got our players wet.”

The Embracers were severely short-handed Friday and used several volunteers from the crowd of cranks, many experiencing base ball for the first time. It didn’t take more than the first striker from the Railroaders to hit to the middle of the infield where the water was for an Embracer to slide into it trying to field the ball. As the match went on, the water became more of a target than a hindrance, helping Elkhart plate two of its three tallies.

“This is a game where the field is the one variable that no one else has this,” said Railroader Ray “Buddy” Balogh. “We have played at venues where buildings, trees, even a saw mill was in play. Everything is in play, because back in the 1850’s, that’s how it was. So situations like tonight, you tried to hit it in the water, it made it easier to get on base.”

The Elkhart County Railroaders play an 1850 style of base ball, without the use of gloves or sunglasses and speak the language as it was spoken 165 years ago. Teaching the style of vintage base ball to the cranks, or fans, is the prime objective according to Balogh, who listed off three main principles his club aims to demonstrate.

“We have three goals,” began Balogh. “This is recreational. Our mortgage is not on the line here. But this game was a community centerpiece back then. The mayor was often the arbiter (umpire). It was fellowship more than anything.

“Two is historical. The garb we wear, the rules, the language. We try to keep it as authentic as possible. Three is educational. We like the customers to handle the merchandise. Especially the young people getting involved. If we show the right spirit, it’s more likely they will pick it up.”

The Elkhart County Railroaders play a full summer schedule, home and away. Beginning in May, Elkhart has traveled to Illinois, Michigan and Ohio for matches as well as several Indiana dates. The Railroaders play its home matches in Nappanee about four blocks south of downtown on the pitch next to Ascot on SR 19, where Friday’s match was held. More on the club nine can be found on their Facebook page.

The Nappanee Embracers only play twice this year, Friday night as well as Sept. 19 at the Nappanee Apple Festival, which Elkhart as well as other clubs will join for a day of base ball.