The clocks were turned back in Warwick this past weekend, as the annual Rocky Point Historic Baseball Festival returned to both Rocky Point Park and Goddard Park.

Making the trip once again was local club the Providence Grays, which was created in 1998, reprising the former professional team that competed out of Rhode Island in 1884. What was originally supposed to be a fun, one-time event made up of local historic baseball fans, has turned into a nearly-three decade run that now sees the team travel throughout the northeast each summer to battle against other historic baseball clubs and celebrate America’s Pastime.

Not only do the players dress in authentic uniforms, play with 19th century equipment including bats, base flags, chalk scoreboards, they also play according to era-specific rules.

The Rocky Point festival played 1864 rules on Saturday then 1884 rules on Sunday. There have been significant changes to the rules over the past 150 years. In the 19th century, players did not use gloves, were allowed to catch the ball off a bounce, among many, many other rules that have since been modified. Simply put, historic baseball only vaguely parallels the modern game, which allows the players to fully commit to the scenery.

“We’re not reenactors, we’re not trying to portray the personalities of the 1880s. We’re modern people playing the game within the conventions, the authentic uniforms and equipment of the era, but we’re not reenacting it. We’re playing it for real. That’s the distinction, but you still feel that history every time you take the field,” said Grays president Jon Henson.

Rocky Point has deep ties to the game. It was the only park in New England that held Sunday baseball games from 1891-1917. Babe Ruth also played a game on site in 1914 when he competed in an exhibition against the original Grays.

Players come from all over to immerse themselves in the program. Some are pure baseball historians that seek the feeling of living in the time period, while others join the club to scratch a competitive itch and try something new. Henson felt that the Grays struck the perfect balance for what he was looking for when he joined in 2012.

“Some of them are (fans of historic baseball). I was, and I played when I was in high school, so when I joined the team it was the coming together of all those things. Other people may be more interested in the novelty of the style of baseball and playing the game within these different rulesets. It’s fun to adopt that and to play the game the way it was played in that era,” Henson said.

Many of the rostered players have been involved with the team for years and have grown strong bonds each summer. Beyond the diamond, the Grays have allowed locals to form lasting friendships.

“It was supposed to be a one-off event, but here we are. It’s the camaraderie. We travel a lot, we play a few games locally, but much of our 49-game schedule is travel. There are overnight trips, long days, you get to know people really well. You enjoy being together and you enjoy the challenge of the game and living in the moment,” Henson said.

Although many local players vie for the chance to join the team, the Grays are always looking for players and to further expand their outreach in New England. Players can practice with the team, and should they show enough skills on the diamond, earn a shot to play in actual games.

“If someone is genuinely interested and they come to our practices at the beginning of the season, it’s not a formal tryout, but if they keep at it and seem like they’re ready to give it a shot, they’ll get an opportunity,” Henson said.

For more information regarding the Grays, check out their website at www.providencegrays.com or check them out on social media.