Town ball played Saturday at Bollinger Mill State Historic Site

ABOVE: Michael Comer pitches during a game of town ball Saturday at the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site in Cape Girardeau County. Comer was on hand to explain the rules of the 19th century forerunner of baseball, which was played with a ball and some form of bat -- tool handles were sometimes used -- and without gloves. BELOW: A bat, axe handle and ho handle used during a game of town ball. BOTTOM: One of the balls used during a game of town ball.