The Northville Eclipse will play the Mount Clemens Regulars in a game of Vintage Base Ball starting at 3 p.m. on May 17 during the Victorian Festival.

The Lions Club, who is partnering up with the Romeo Downtown Development Authority and the Romeo Historical Society to plan the third annual Victorian Festival, will host a game of Vintage Base Ball between the Northville Eclipse and the Mount Clemens Regulars at the Romeo Lions Field on May 17, starting at 3 p.m. The game will feature vintage uniforms, equipment and even vintage rules.

“These fellas are playing by the rules of 1860s baseball,” said Gordon Dorris of the Romeo Lions Club.

The game will begin at 3 p.m., with the opening pitch being thrown by Mickey Lolich, former Detroit Tigers pitcher and the most valuable player from the 1968 World Series Champion team.

“When the historical society contacted us, they wanted to expand the event,” said Dorris. “The more we learned about it, the more we realized that it was a very appropriate event for our community. It allows us to attract people to come down and spend the day here.”

The Vintage Base Ball game will be played using rules from the late 19th century and will be unfamiliar to most. The Lions, however, will hand out informational brochures to insure that spectators can follow along.

“We are hoping to get a lot of people down here,” Dorris said.

The festivities at the Lions Field won’t stop when the game ends. The Lions will open the pavilion and beverage tent at noon that day, and it will stay open until midnight.

The Lions will offer food, beverages, entertainment from the Village Singers, and an antique car show. At 8 p.m., a disc jockey will play music for dancing.

“There is a whole list of events going on in the village,” Dorris said

Bleachers will be available for watching the game, but the Lions advised that visitors may also want to bring a blanket or chairs.

For more information about the third annual Victorian Festival, visit www.romeovictorianfestival.com