For as long as anyone can remember, Bristol’s Sara Jane Soboleski has pretty much been a part of the sports scene around these parts, ever since her days as a standout cheerleader for the former Bristol High School Colts, and later, as a cheerleading and softball coach when she lived in Florida.

Nowadays, Sara Jane spends a good deal of her time helping organize the Bristol Fourth of July Celebration’s Vintage Baseball game on the Bristol Town Common. It’s not as easy as one would expect.

“There’s quite a bit of work that goes into this event,” says this hard-working Fourth of July Committee member, who chairs this particular event. “Thankfully, I have a group of about a dozen other committee members who work just as hard putting this event together.”

For the past five years, Sara Jane, daughter of the late James and Virginia White, has done her utmost to make this event a success. This year, the Vintage baseball game will be played on Saturday, June 18, starting at 11:30 a.m., on the Town Common, featuring the Providence Grays and Lisbon Tunnelmen of Connecticut. Both teams will show off their batting and fielding skills reminiscent of the way the game was played in the 1880s, dressed in the same attire of that period.

“The game will be played according to 1864 underhand rules and 1884 overhand rules,” said Sara Jane. “It’s a throwback to a time when baseball was very much a part of the American landscape.”

During the time Sara Jane has organized this event, only in 2020 did the game get cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There was a game last season,” she reported, “and I’m proud to say we will continue to carry on this Vintage baseball tradition from many, many years ago.”

As has been the tradition each year vintage baseball has been played during the annual Bristol Fourth of July Celebration, food will be served throughout the course of the day, featuring hot dogs, chips, soda and water.

“Everything is free,” Sara Jane announced, “and donations are accepted. We’re hoping for another good turnout.”

Although the weather can play a key role, especially if it’s hot and humid, Sara Jane looks at things from a positive standpoint.

“We’re all in this together,” she confessed. “I love doing this. It’s fun and exciting for the kids. Plus, it’s giving back to the community. It’s all about the Fourth of July and the red, white and blue.”