TUSCUMBIA — Take me out to the ballgame! Baseball fans, families, and history lovers are invited to step back in time during the 9th annual Heinie Manush Day celebration on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Heinie Manush Field at Deshler High School in Tuscumbia.
The event honors Tuscumbia native and baseball legend Henry “Heinie” Manush, the first Alabamian inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, with an afternoon of vintage baseball featuring the Franklin Farriers and the Cumberland Club of Nashville.
Admission is free and open to the public. Gates open at 1 p.m., and the game begins at 2 p.m. Concessions will be available for purchase throughout the afternoon. 
Unlike modern baseball, vintage baseball recreates the look, feel, and rules of the sport as it was played in the early 1900s. Players compete using period-style bats and balls, and gloves are not used — meaning catches are made barehanded just as they were generations ago.
Organizers say the event offers a unique opportunity for spectators to experience the charm, sportsmanship, and excitement of baseball’s early days while celebrating one of Tuscumbia’s most famous athletes.
Judge Chad Smith, co-chair of the event, said his family enjoys attending every year. “My kids absolutely love coming to the game, and they look forward to it every single year. It’s become such a special tradition for our family and for so many families in our community. This year we invite each and every rec team and travel team to attend and witness the historical beginnings of the game that they love.”
Heinie Manush Day has been celebrated in Tuscumbia with a vintage baseball game since 2019. Manush was one of Major League Baseball’s standout hitters during the 1920s and 1930s and remains one of Tuscumbia’s most celebrated sports figures.
He played for the Detroit Tigers 1923-1927, St Louis Browns 1928-1930, Washington Senators 1930-1935, Boston Red Sox 1936, Brooklyn Dodgers 1937-1938, and Pittsburgh Pirates 1938-1939. From 1923 until 1939, he batted over .300 eleven times, nine with averages .333 or better. He finished with a lifetime batting average of .330 with 110 home runs. In nine of his seasons, he finished in the top ten in batting.
“‘Take me out to the ballgame’ takes on a whole new meaning during Heinie Manush Day,” said Dr. Lorie Johnson, co-chair of the event. “This event is a wonderful way for our community to come together and enjoy the magic and history of America’s beloved pastime while celebrating the legacy of Heinie Manush.”
Community members of all ages are encouraged to attend, including baseball teams, history enthusiasts, and anyone who simply enjoys a great day at the ballpark.
The event will be held at Heinie Manush Field on the campus of Deshler High School in Tuscumbia.
Media Release/Maryanne Floyd/Colbert County Tourism
