There's something indescribably nostalgic about vintage baseball.
Maybe it's the feel of old-timey Americana and a pastime that's almost as old as our country. Maybe it's the fact many of us grew up playing baseball – from sandlot games at recess to organized Little League teams.
Maybe it's the crack of the bat, the worn leather glove, the timeless uniforms, or the sense of community.
We live in an era filled with tech-driven sports experiences and highlight reels. Vintage baseball reminds us that the game doesn't need to be loud to be powerful.
At P.F. Flyers, we proudly embrace retro baseball. You can see it in the sneakers we craft and the sandlot baseball community we support.
The Rise of the Sandlot Baseball Community
Sandlot baseball is played far from stadium lights.
There are no multimillion-dollar franchises or celebrity-packed rosters; instead, it's neighbors and friends dropping by with gloves in backpacks and cleats caked with dirt.
Sandlot baseball is about community, tradition, and showing up because you love the game.
Sam S. of the Neuse River Nine, a sandlot baseball team in North Carolina, summarized the attraction best:
"I stumbled upon the greatest secret in the country. A group of people who love baseball no matter the field quality, skill level, or need to keep score. It is truly just for fun, and it is truly for everyone."
Baseball is usually a game of highs and lows. A .300 career batting average in the MLB could get you into the Hall of Fame. It also means you're missing 70% of your swings.
Maybe that's part of the attraction of sandlot baseball:
"There are no lows in sandlot baseball, and success is measured by the amount of fun you have playing the game."
Sandlot baseball is a world where newbies and former pros can stand around the same base – and have the same amount of fun, regardless of individual skill level.
P.F. Flyers: As Seen on Baseball Diamonds Since the 1940s
P.F. Flyers has always had a deep connection to baseball.
Our shoes have been worn on diamonds across America since the 1940s. They were part of the sport's early identity.
Our Posture Foundation wedge changed the game by bringing real performance support to canvas footwear. Prior to the 1940s, canvas sneakers were seen as flimsy and impractical for movement.
B.F. Goodrich (yes, the tire company) leveraged state-of-the-art tire tech to add a rigid wedge to canvas shoes. That patented Posture Foundation (or “P.F.”) changed canvas shoes forever and put P.F. Flyers on the map.
Building the Sandlot Baseball Community
Today, we're doubling down on our vintage baseball connection by supporting grassroots sandlot leagues, local tournaments, and pop-up events that seek to bring baseball back to its roots.
From sponsoring tournaments to ensuring amateur athletes have the footwear they need to run faster and jump higher, we believe in doing our small part to put sandlot baseball on the map with initiatives like:
Highlighting Sandlot Baseball Teams & Stories
There are countless examples of sandlot baseball teams working hard to create a baseball community. Much of this work goes unnoticed. We wanted to change that.
Some sandlot teams, like the Quaker City Cryptids, sponsor free baseball training clinics for kids. Others, like the Raleigh Reapers, host casually competitive pickup games at local parks, followed by post-game cookouts. The Durham Fruits, meanwhile, ensure there's space for queer and BIPOC voices in the game we all love.
Sponsoring Tournaments
Last year, P.F. Flyers proudly stepped into the world of underground sandlot baseball sponsorship at The Long Time.
We saw how special the sandlot baseball community could be, so we continued our outreach in 2025.
The Long Time (Austin, Texas – 2024): Bringing together teams across North America, from Vancouver to Raleigh, The Long Time celebrates the love of baseball. We were there at Opening Day of the 2024 tournament for a game between the Los Slowpokes de San Antonio and the Texas Playboys. Featuring a renovated chicken coop as a dugout and an outfield wall made partly of hay bales, The Long Time is everything sandlot baseball should be. Both teams took to the field with new 1993 Sandlot sneakers. A hand-painted P.F. Flyers sign cemented the retro look.
Sandlot Revival (Durham, North Carolina – 2025): Each April, the Carolina Sandlot Collective hosts its Sandlot Revival tournament in Durham, North Carolina. P.F. Flyers was proud to sponsor this year's event and keep it open to all, helping to promote the sense of community and inclusivity for which sandlot baseball is known.
Sandlot Summit (Austin, Texas – 2025): The first annual Sandlot Summit took place in Austin, Texas in May, bringing together 75 sandlot teams from across the United States, Mexico, and Canada for a three-day celebration of the baseball community. The weekend saw plenty of laughter and drinks along with pickup games at The Long Time (yes, the same legendary Jack Sanders-built venue used in the 2024 tournament above) and Austin's newest sandlot, The Wishing Well. We couldn't resist helping everyone run faster and jump higher with help from brand new P.F. Flyers.
Crafting Heritage-Inspired Sneakers
You can see our love for vintage baseball in the shoes we create. Our All-American and Center sneaker collections combine heritage design with modern craftsmanship.
They work just as well in the dirt of the sandlot as they do on city streets. Our baseball sneakers feature reinforced stitching, rugged outsoles, timeless silhouettes, and retro colorways to embrace old-school baseball.
We've even launched a special Center 1993 sneaker (available as a high-top or low-top sneaker) to celebrate our inextricable connection with the 1993 film, The Sandlot. Ever since Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez ran faster and jumped higher with his black canvas P.F. Flyers, we've had an even closer connection with vintage baseball.
Launched in 2023 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the film, our Center 1993 sneaker honors that connection with a throwback to the 1993 movie, and to retro baseball itself, with every kick.
Introducing the Sandlot Club Collection
To celebrate Sandlot baseball and the continued popularity of retro baseball style, we’ve released something extra special: our Sandlot Club collection.
Available in black or white high-top sneakers, our Sandlot Club Collection features signature back stripe detailing and a custom “Spirit of Play” tag.
What makes our Sandlot Club collection extra special, however, are the swappable patches.
Gear swaps are a cornerstone of sandlot baseball culture. We’ve seen it at every tourney. From vintage gear to newfound treasures to kids sharing gear before pickup ball, sandlot baseballers love sharing gear.
With our Sandlot Club collection, you can make your sneakers authentic to you, your team, and your connection to baseball. Our interchangeable patches help you wear your shoes your way, showcasing your style, your mood, or your sandlot crew.
The Sandlot Club Collection is available in two versions: our Center High-Top Black and Center High-Top Antique White sneakers.
Vintage Baseball Style Has Never Been Cooler
Maybe it's the sense of community. Maybe it's nostalgia for a simpler time.
Whatever it is, vintage baseball has never been cooler.
In a digital world, more people are seeking authentic, analog experiences and a sense of belonging. Sandlot baseball provides all that and more, and we're proud to be one small piece of supporting that thriving community.
