Baseball as it was played in the ’50s will be back in Elmhurst on Sept. 26.
But if you’re thinking 1950s and the days of Ernie Banks and Minnie Minoso, think again. This will be a truly vintage game to be played under rules that go back at least to the 1850s.
The game will take place on the Elmhurst University Mall, 190 S. Prospect Ave. (in front of Hammerschmidt Chapel), starting at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 26.
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That’s when teams representing the City of Elmhurst and Elmhurst University — town vs gown — take to the field in a seven-inning game played under vintage rules.
Those rules are sometimes called Knickerbocker rules, according to Dave Oberg, the Elmhurst History Museum’s executive director, whose involvement with and enthusiasm for vintage baseball goes back at least 20 years. Oberg will take the role of “barrister,” umpire in modern terms, and share the rules and baseball slang of the time with players and with the audience. A little more on some of that slang shortly.
Oberg says fans will see a different sort of game from the modern version, highlighted by what he called a courtly and gentlemanly approach in keeping with the Victorian era. That can go as far as opposing players cheering one another on.
The ball is called a ‘lemon peel’ ball, a little larger and a little softer than the modern sphere. Good thing, since players don’t wear gloves. Oberg says gloves didn’t get into the game until the 1870s.
And forget about strike zones. Strikes are only called if the batter — called a striker — actually swings and misses. Strikers can hold their position at the dish — home plate — until they see a pitch they like.
The hurler, pitcher in today’s terms, throws underhand. A hit caught on the fly is an out, but it’s also an out if it’s caught on the first bounce.
The Elmhurst town team will be captained by Mayor Scott Levin, who said he may play this year. Former Mayor Steve Morley, whom Levin said is a good hitter, is expected to contribute to the town effort. Other prospective players include current 4th Ward Ald. Brian Cahill and Brian Bergheger, former longtime director of the Museum and an old hand at vintage games.
The gown side will be captained by University President Troy VanAken. No University roster was available by press time.
Oberg said players who fail to follow the rules may be asked by their captains to atone by reciting a Victorian poem or making a Victorian- sounding speech.
That prospect didn’t keep Levin from what might be called, in modern terms, trash talking.
“The University is just a part of this big city,” Levin said in a phone conversation with Pioneer Press. “We’re the bigger player here. I’m sure we’re going to prevail.”
Fans, called “kranks,” can cheer on their favorite “club nine” by glad handing. All are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnics and refreshments to enjoy during the game. The first 100 fans will enjoy free hot dogs and Italian ice. Free parking is available in the Elmhurst University parking lots. Admission is free.
The 2021 Vintage Baseball Game is copresented by Elmhurst University, the Elmhurst History Museum, and the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation as part of the celebration of Elmhurst University’s 150th anniversary. The Elmhurst History Museum is opening a new exhibit, “An Ever-Widening Circle: Elmhurst University at 150,” on Sept. 24, in addition to co-hosting the Vintage Baseball Game as part of the yearlong sesquicentennial celebration.
Graydon Megan is a freelance writer.