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Vintage Base Ball Day at the DAP

Date: Sat, Oct 3, 2026

Time: 11 AM - 4 PM

Venue: Historic Durham Athletic Park, Durham

Price:

Category: Community

The iconic Durham Athletic Park has hosted baseball games since 1926 and was even featured in an iconic baseball film, but Durham’s baseball roots are even deeper. The first century of baseball was marked by racial segregation and separate leagues for black and white athletes at the DAP until the 1950s; however, Duke Homestead welcomes all people to participate and honors the struggles and achievements of the many players over the past century who brought us the Durham baseball culture we know today. Players will wear historic uniforms, follow historic gameplay, and use historic equipment. The games will follow 1860 and 1869 Beadles Rules.Connect with the history of this sport, this place, and this community by enjoying an afternoon out at the ball park.Enjoy a family-friendly day at the ball park complete with “old fashioned” concessions, food, beer, and historic music. Spectators are encouraged to come dressed in your favorite historical, vintage, or retro inspired outfits. We believe in vintage style, not vintage values! Kids will get to play historic games with our costumed interpreters, as well as have the opportunity to run the bases in-between ball games.Joining the local Duke Homestead team this year will be The Shiners from Rockingham, VA and a special team from the Durham Fire Department! The first game will be played at 11am, with games at 12:30pm and 2pm to follow.This game is a fundraiser for the Duke Homestead State Historic Site run by the Duke Homestead Education and History Corporation (the site’s volunteer, non-profit support organization), and it is sponsored by Measurement, Inc., Stone Brothers & Byrd, Durham Sports Commission, Hog Heaven Barbeque, and Hall-Wynne Funeral Service & Crematory.

Community · Durham

Vintage Base Ball Day at the DAP

Bring a baseball glove for kids to catch foul balls in the historic stands.

When
Oct 3
Sat, Oct 3, 2026
11 AM - 4 PM
Ages
Check ages with the venue
Price
See details
durhamfamily friendly

Vintage Base Ball Day at the DAP is a living history sporting event where players dress in 19th-century uniforms and play by the official rules of 1860 and 1869. Organized by Duke Homestead, the afternoon honors the deep, complex history of baseball in Durham, including the era of segregated leagues, while celebrating the diverse players who shaped the local sports culture. If you are planning to attend, expect a relaxed afternoon with historic music and traditional ballpark concessions, including food and beer for the adults. While the event is open to all ages, school-aged children who can follow the flow of a game will get the most out of watching the vintage play style. Street parking is available around the downtown Durham neighborhood, but you will want to arrive early to secure a spot close to the stadium gates. This is a fantastic weekend pick because it combines local history with the relaxed atmosphere of an afternoon at the ballpark. It offers a rare chance to step inside the historic stadium that inspired famous films while teaching kids about how the game has evolved over the last century.

Frequently Asked Questions

What rules do they follow during the game?
Players follow the 1860 and 1869 Beadles Rules, which means the equipment, pitching styles, and gameplay will look very different from modern Major League Baseball.
Are food and drinks available at the stadium?
Yes, the event features old-fashioned concessions, food vendors, and beer available for purchase during the games.

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Plan Your Visit

Schedule

Vintage Base Ball Day at the DAP runs Sat, Oct 3, 2026, 11 AM - 4 PM.

Getting There

Historic Durham Athletic Park is at 500 W Corporation Street, Durham, NC. Open in Google Maps.

More events at Historic Durham Athletic Park

What to Bring

  • Sunscreen and water bottles — this one's outdoors
  • A blanket or low chairs for staking out a spot

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