"We're sitting on the site of the first college game that happened in 1859," said baseball historian Phil Massery.

That site is now a coffee shop, but 149 years ago, it was the dawn of a new era; the birthplace of college baseball.

"The College Hall of Fame is recognizing that Pittsfield Massachusetts is the birthplace of collegiate baseball," said First Home Plate co-founder Brian Johnson.

Now, 149 years later, the two teams that started it all will be back in Pittsfield to play ball. It's the 149th anniversary game between Williams and Amherst that happens next weekend.

"To think that it stated in Pittsfield with Williams College and Amherst, I'm sure they had no idea what they were starting and I don't think our guys quite have an understanding of what they're a part of. It's something they're going to look back on and say 'that was pretty special,'" said Williams College baseball coach Bill Barrale.

It's special because of the history, but with history comes controversy. Some say the game of baseball itself was created in Pittsfield, but not everyone agrees.

Baseball talk of town

There's a story about baseball that starts in Pittsfield and ends in Williamstown.

Inside the Pittsfield Public Library is a copy of the original 1791 Baseball Document. This is significant because this mentions the word "baseball" for the first time on public record.

"There's no debate on the fact that the term baseball was first used in Pittsfield. And secondly, there's no debate that the first intercollegiate baseball game was in Pittsfield," said Pittsfield Mayor James Ruberto.

"Cooperstown is definitely the bible of baseball. But we know for sure that Pittsfield is the Genesis of baseball," said Massery.

It's a debate about baseball that's been going on for centuries now. But two words seem to end the talk every time; Play ball.