By Colter Hettich, Features Editor

Time has a tendency to change things – sports included. But the men of the Buffalo Gap Vintage Base Ball Club (BGVGGC) do not want people to forget the history of what America has traditionally called its favorite pasttime.

Jeff Batsche attends McMurry university, and though he only recently discovered the BGVBBC, he is already a believer.

“I love it. We get to play the game the way it started,” Batsche said. “It’s more of gentleman’s game this way.”

Batsche is not just painting a pretty picture.

In 1883, players could not spit or curse on the field. A single umpire roamed the field and had the authority to fine players for “violating the spirit of the game,” according to the groups Web site.

By the 1870s, players had already discovered the concept of a baseball glove, but it was considered a sign of weakness to desire to protect your own hand.

Cincinnati Red Stockings’ catcher Doug Allison experimented with the idea in 1869 by asking a saddle maker to craft something to protect his hand and help him catch the ball. The popularity and now acceptance of a glove can be attributed to Albert Spalding who, in 1871, was the first infielder to wear a glove.

Though the history of the sport is important, baseball’s roll in local history means even more to the weekend warriors in Buffalo Gap.

In the early 1880s, the communities of Buffalo Gap and Abilene had it in for each other over the hot topic of the day: Which town would Taylor County call its county seat?

A decision of 905 votes to 269 declared Abilene the county seat, but citizens of Buffalo Gap would never concede their honor.

Today, the BGVBBC divides itself into two historic teams for its Sunday meeting: the Abilene 407s and the Buffalo Gap Chips.

The 407s represent the uniformed “city slickers,” while the Chips stand for the rural, farming and ranching community.