ABILENE, Kan. - Staff at the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home will present a "Living History" demonstration of early base ball on the campus grounds. The event is set for 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, August 9.

The public is invited to learn the rules of the early game and participate in an informal game of "Work Up." The game will take place on some of the same ground where the Eisenhower boys played more than a century ago. After learning the rules, audience members will be able to join in the game.  

"We'll play with the same kind of equipment used in the mid- to late-nineteenth century and play by the same rules," said Tim Rives, Deputy Director and event coordinator. "We invite players of every age and ability level to give the game a try," Rives added.  

The early game was played without gloves. A softer ball helps makes this possible, as do rules allowing fielders to catch balls on one bounce for an out. The easy underhanded pitching is similar to slow-pitch softball.