In the spring of 1998, several local fans banded together to form a tribute to the 1884 Grays, inspired by a league of similar historical base ball teams in New York. We learned the 1884 rules and style of play. Batters could call for their choice of high or low pitches. It took six balls to draw a walk. The pitcher threw from only fifty feet away. A few players wore only small gloves for protection. Most wore no gloves at all, and caught screaming line drives with their bare hands - or tried.

On June 20, 1998, we invited a New York club to Rhode Island for another "World Series" on the idyllic Bristol Common. The veteran New York team beat our nine in a doubleheader, 13-4 and 12-9. Though we showed our inexperience, there were promising moments, and fun was had by all.

We hope to form more historic teams in the Rhode Island area, and to play against other teams in the Northeast. There are, of course, no big contracts in our base ball world. No admission is charged to the games, and the players pay for their own uniforms. Though we play strictly for fun, winning would be much more fun, and we hope to continue our success on and off the field.

Contact:
Rick Stattler
rstattlerhotmail.com
http://www.providencegrays.org