Baseball has come a long way from base ball, the old-timey game invented in the mid-1800's. Besides closing the gap in the name and adding gloves and protective equipment, a few of the rules and terminology have changed. Get acquainted with the game of yesteryear this weekend, at the 11th Annual National Silver Ball Tournament, which will be held Friday, August 9, through Sunday, August 11, at Genesee Country Village and Museum (1410 Flint Hill Road, Mumford).

A dozen clubs representing the museum's vintage baseball league, plus squads from Michigan, Ohio, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Canada, will compete in a round-robin tournament. Games will take place daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Championship Game will be played at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Silver Base Ball Park, the nation's first recreated 19th-century base ball park. The museum's two ladies' teams, the Brooks Grove Belles and Miss Porter's Ladies Base Ball Club, will also play during the weekend. The season culminates with the Mayor's Cup Championship on October 6.

Tickets to the games are included in the museum admission price ($9.50-$15.50, free to ages 3 and younger). For more information, call 538-6822 or visit gcv.org.