The final score of Mackinac Island’s 2025 Vintage Base Ball Game doesn’t really tell the story of what went on between the Fort Mackinac Never Sweats and the visiting Mackinaw City Boys on the oldest ballfield in Michigan.
For a fuller picture of what happened Saturday, July 26, outside Fort Mackinac in the latest edition of this historic rivalry that dates to 1886, take a look at these photos, courtesy of Mackinac State Historic Parks:
Cubbie Miller stands at the plate, batting for the Fort Mackinac Never Sweats
Bat boys stand near the bench as players prepare to bat for the Fort Mackinac Never Sweats
A member of the Mackinaw City Boys digs into the batters box
A gloveless fielder or ballist stands at the ready
Members of the Fort Mackinac Never Sweats laugh before the start of the game
Red, white and blue bunting hangs around the outfield
Former Detroit Tigers pitcher John Hiller, middle, stands with other participants
Boy scouts raise the American flag before the game
An umpire shouts pre-game instructions
Players and family members dressed in period uniforms and clothing pose after the game
A History of Vintage Base Ball on Mackinac Island
Fort Mackinac hosts a vintage base ball game every year, inviting a mainland opponent for a friendly match played by 1860s rules. That means no gloves, underhanded pitching and one-bounce catches for an out. The Never Sweats don’t always win (including defeat by a wide margin in the 2025 game due to many “sky balls” hit by the Boys), but it’s still a great time for fans (or cranks, in 19th century parlance) to come out to the ballfield on a beautiful summer evening and shout a few cheers (or huzzahs).
The Mackinac Island ballfield has hosted games for more than 150 years, dating all the way back to when soldiers at the fort became enamored with the then-fledgling sport that would become the national pastime. At one time, the soldiers even built grandstands for fans to come and watch their games – with seating available for a 10-cent premium on top of the regular 25-cent price of admission!
These days, people bring lawn chairs to watch the annual ball game and admission is free. The Never Sweats players they see have nicknames including “Cool Hand,” “Mussels,” “Mad Dog,” “Pops” and “Cubbie.” This year, the Mackinac Island team once again featured 1968 Detroit Tigers World Series champion John “Ratso” Hiller as one of its hurlers.
The festivities included umpires, tallykeepers, bat boys (a.k.a. mascots) and concessions, too. And boy scouts from Troop 1029 out of Detroit raised the American flag while the Straits Area Concert Band played the national anthem.
Keep an eye on the Mackinac Island calendar of events for the next Vintage Base Ball Game on Mackinac Island.
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