For the truly unique experience of playing baseball as it was played long ago - on real grass - for the love of the game - join the Old Bethpage Village Restoration's Old Time Baseball program. The program recreates baseball (it was two words back then) asd it was played in the 19th century, and new players are welcome.

The 19th year of vintage baseball at Old Bethpage is about to begin, documenting and interpreting the roots of our national pastime. The teams are based on actual Long Island clubs from the 1860s and 1880s, and participate in a competitive league at the village. Last year, the program gained national recognition when it was featured as the cover story in the October 1998 issue of Smithsonian Magazine. Championship matches are played during the Long Island Fair in October.

New players are welcome at any time during the 50-game season, which begins on April 11. A general meeting and orientation is planned for Sunday, March 28, at 1 p.m. at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Center. Participation in the 1866 league is open to all new volunteer players. New players for the 1887 league must first play in an 1866 game, participate in a try out, or be recommended to the baseball coordinator by a captain.

The 1866 league recreates the Mineola Washingtons, Hempstead Eurekas, Brooklyn Excelsiors and the Huntington Suffolks. Pitching in that time period was underhand, and a number of interesting rules were employed. The 1887 league recreates the Freeport Athletics, Westbury Baseball Club, Glen Head Zig Zags, Hicksville Ozones, Bellmore Seminoles and the Cold Spring Spiders. Pitching is overhand with five balls and four strikes. All matches are played in the historic village using recreated period equipment, and players wear uniform styles of the era. To join, call the village at 572-8402 for an application or attend the general meeting on March 28.

Old Bethpage Village Restoration is operated by the Museum Services Division of the Nassau County Department of Recreation and Parks. It is located on Round Swamp Road in Old Bethpage, one mile south of the Long Island Expressway, Exit 48. Operating hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The village is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, except on certain Monday holidays. Village admission is $6 for adults and $4 for children ages 5 to 12, resident senior citizens, volunteer firemen, volunteer ambulance corps, auxiliary police, physically challenged and veterans. Parking is free. For further information, call 572-8402.