Community Corner

Play Ball - 19th Century Style!

The Grayslake Heritage Center is bringing a unique base ball (yes, two words) game to town Sunday, July 21 played according to the rules of the Civil War era.

Vintage Base Ball, played how it was back in the 19th century, is coming to Grayslake. Volunteers will play ball old-style this weekend in a unique game that will bring Grayslake's historic teams to life.

The game will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 21 at the Grayslake Central Park Aquatic Softball field.

Dave Oberg, executive director of the , had learned about Vintage Base Ball, where the sport is played by 19th century rules, when he worked as the education resource manager at Midway Village Museum in Rockford.

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"I recognized that this was the sort of fun, family-friendly history program that could appeal to a wide audience in a variety of settings," Oberg said. "With our current sports exhibition showing at the Grayslake Heritage Center, Leave Nothing on the Field, a Vintage Base Ball game seemed a natural program extension of the display."

He said there will be two local teams playing each other, so Grayslake is guaranteed to win.

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"We’re naming them the Grayslake Athletics and the Grayslake Merchants in honor of two of our community’s earliest teams," Oberg said.

Response to the Vintage Base Ball game has been strong, as Oberg already has filled two full teams and a few substitutes, ranging in age from 16 to 60.

Team members will wear clothing that approximates the old uniforms, to create an authentic feel, including striped painters caps provided by Oberg which resemble those worn in the mid-19th century. They will wear white, long-sleeved shirts, dark pants and shoes to give the feel of the old uniforms. 

"I guarantee a great time for anyone who plays or watches," Oberg said.


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