JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Every Fourth of July ends with a fireworks celebration and in Springfield, every Independence Day starts with a throwback baseball game.
“The players wanted to do it as a throwback baseball game and it’s become something that is beloved by the community,” said Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR) executive director Michael Haskis. “It also echoes the fact that Springfield is a historic neighborhood and that preservation has been such an important part of our neighborhood and the work that we’ve done to revitalize it.”
SPAR hosts the 4th of July Throwback Baseball Game at Klutho Park. They really lean into the throwback part. The players wear authentic wool uniforms and old-school gloves and use wooden bats. SPAR outsources the uniforms from vendors who replicate the originals.
“It feels about as hot as it looks,” Eastside captain Stuart Poplin said. “These have no breathe, they have no give. When you’re playing in a period-style baseball game, you’re wearing period-style uniforms so this is every bit as hot as they were back in the 1910s.”
One of the requirements to participate is owning a home in Springfield.
“For us, I think this is one of the best ways that we can give back to the neighborhood,” Poplin said. “This is one of the coolest events that we have in Springfield in one of the coolest neighborhoods in the city. For us to be a part of something bigger than ourselves and to really show what this neighborhood means to the city of Jacksonville is really important.”
Tons of families start their holiday morning rooting for their team.
“It’s a great experience,” Springfield resident Ellie said. “Everybody comes and there is food and festivities, and you can just sit with your neighbors and watch a game.”
“The community itself comes together no matter if you’re the east or westside,” Westside captain Jose Acevedo said.
This may be a holiday festivity, but the competition is still fierce.
“This year is going to be a hard year; we have lost some players,” Acevedo said. “One of the players went to the eastside, unfortunately, but we’re here.”
SPAR started planning the game when the teams began practicing in March. The field is maintained by the players who get it ready for game time.