Sports
Civil War Era Base Ball Game Comes To Life
Local players get into the spirit of a very civilized game of "base ball" played as it was during the Civil War era.
"Madam, Scorekeeper, I greatly apologize for the error on my behalf," said one of the ball players in the 19th-century style baseball game, demonstrating how player maintained a quaint sense of civility.
Dave Oberg, director of the , brought the past to life recently through a historical re-enactment of an old-time base ball game at Grayslake Central Park.
The crowd was encouraged to use 19th-century style words to cheer or jeer as needed:
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- apple or onion - the ball
- blooper or banjo - a weak fly ball
- bowler or twirler - pitcher
- kranks or bugs - fans
- kranklet or charming deadheads - female fans
Players and fans alike enjoyed the day. Oberg was the quintessential 19th-century umpire. Charlotte Renehan, president of the Historical Society, wore a beautiful historical dress and carried a parasol.
Ray Russell of Grayslake, also known during the game as The Finley Flash, yelled, "That was a corker!" (translation: That was a very surprising play!)
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"It is fun to be out here for this game, with all of these people watching," Russell said. "The rules are a little bit different, like it can bounce once before it's out."
played with enthusiasm.
"This is the most fun I've had in years," he said from the dugout. "Look around - everybody is just out here to have a good time."
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