Two New Jersey “farm teams” will take to the field on Saturday, June 23rd, when the Mercer County Park Commission hosts its 23rd Annual Old Time Baseball Game.   

The match-up features the Howell Farm Hogs versus the Jersey Bulls, teams that play according to the rules that governed baseball in those early days when bats were made of axe handles and wagon tongues, and when pitchers (called “throwers”) could be fined for delivering unhittable balls. 

The public is invited to watch or play in the game, which is scheduled for 1:30pm, at Howell Living History Farm. Rules will be taught to prospective players during an ongoing practice period beginning at 11:00am.

In the overall competition, which began in 1988, the Bulls are ahead one game, with a record of 11 wins and 10 losses. There was no game in 1999 due to players being needed to bring in a crop of hay.

A children’s craft program, “Rag Baseball,” will be offered from 11:00am-3:00pm. Crafts take 20 minutes to complete and cost $2 each. Groups (eight or more) must pre-register.

Howell Farm is located on Valley Road, just off Route 29, two miles south of Lambertville, NJ. Parking and admission are free. Hours are 10:00am-4:00pm Tuesday through Saturday, and noon-4:00pm Sundays.  

Howell Farm is operated and maintained by the Mercer County Park Commission. 

For more information, call the farm at 609-737-3299, or visit websites www.mercercounty.org OR www.howellfarm.org.