The 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings — whose existence as baseball's first professional team led to the tradition of the Reds always opening the season at home — are being “re-formed.”

        The team will play in some “vintage baseball” games this spring and summer at Heritage Village in Sharon Woods Park.

        Players will be outfitted in replica uniforms of the 1869 team, which became a national sensation when it won games from coast to coast in a perfect 57-0 season.

        Another vintage baseball team from the Cincinnati area — the Shamrocks — have been playing ball throughout the region since 1988 and decided to re-create the Red Stockings team because of the emphasis the present Reds organization is placing on its history.

        Tryouts will be at 2p.m. Saturday at Heritage Village. There's no need to bring gloves. Nobody in 1869 wore them, and this team won't be wearing them, either. And don't bring your batting helmets. Pitching in 1869 was underhanded.

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