Vermilion Voles Base Ball | The Baseball Zealot

Vintage Base ball on a hot June Saturday

Saturday, the family and I caught most of the Vermilion Voles game against the Mascoutah Blues. We arrived at Kennekuk Park just in time to see the ending ceremony for game two between the Creston Regulators and the Blues. It was a hot day but the Blues were up for challenging the Voles for the third game.

The Mascoutah Blues’ captain was an older chap named Pops with a sharp wit and a sharper tongue. His knees weren’t up for running so he was allowed a courtesy runner. He proved he could still put the stick to the ball though.

Voles captain Jim Knoblauch is seen here giving position assignments and such. If you think that the old fashioned nicknames the players are given are just for show, you’re wrong. I overheard Jim and he refers to the players by their given nicknames.

Wilbur “Hollywood” Bolton was the Voles’ hurler and did a fine job…

…as did Rita “Hustler” Hostetler, the Voles’ regular backstop and sole member of the fairer gender.

Remember, taking a lead off a base is not allowed. Neither is stealing or sliding. This rule came into play when a Blues runner coming home to score tripped when crossing home plate. The runner politely asked the umpire if his ace (run) may still count in spite of the rule and the umpire granted him the ace.

This is a good picture (no, not the legs. Look lower) of a gentleman who comes out to every Voles game and acts as scorekeeper. I don’t know his name but according to Jim, for various reasons he can’t participate in the field but really wanted to help out the team. This is his way of doing that. He really dresses up for the role too. When a player tallies an ace (scores a run), they are responsible for going up to him and requesting that he record it and if he grants it, the player will ring the bell.

A Vermilion Voles player tallying an ace.

We had to leave around the 5th inning (heat+kids is not always a good match). At that time, the Voles were ahead 3-2. As always, I had a great time watching the Voles. Keep an eye on their schedule if you want to see them in action.

See all my photos from Saturday

Vintage Base Ball season is upon us

The Voles in action against the St Louis Perfectos in 2006 For those of you who enjoy baseball that’s say a little old fashion, take heart. Vintage base ball is now in season. Here in eastern Illinois, the Vermilion Voles will be playing this Saturday (June 16). The Creston Regulators and the Mascoutah Blues are … Continue reading “Vintage Base Ball season is upon us”

The Voles in action against the St Louis Perfectos in 2006

For those of you who enjoy baseball that’s say a little old fashion, take heart. Vintage base ball is now in season. Here in eastern Illinois, the Vermilion Voles will be playing this Saturday (June 16). The Creston Regulators and the Mascoutah Blues are coming to the Voles’ home field at Kennekuk Park near Danville, Il to play.

I ran into Jim Knoblauch, the captain of the Voles the other day and he informed me that it will be a round robin style format where each team will play each other team so there will be plenty of base ball to enjoy.

According to the schedule on the Voles’ website, game time is 1:00.

By the way, if you look at the team roster, you’ll notice that sometime co-host of Baseball Zealot Radio Shawn Lee is on the team this year. He’s even got a nickname, “The General”.

Speaking of BZR, take a listen to an interview we did with Jim Knoblauch over the winter. Jim gives a good overview of what Vintage Base ball is all about.

If you’re interested in going on Saturday, the Voles’ website has a map.

Baseball Zealot Radio interviews the captain of the Voles

Turn up those speakers. Put on those headphones. Baseball Zealot Radio has just posted its second show. Teddy Ballgame recaps his visit to the Arizona Fall League. In case you missed it, Teddy’s been writing up a storm about his trip. Our special guest for the show is Jim Knoblauch. Jim is the captain and … Continue reading “Baseball Zealot Radio interviews the captain of the Voles”

Turn up those speakers. Put on those headphones. Baseball Zealot Radio has just posted its second show.

Teddy Ballgame recaps his visit to the Arizona Fall League. In case you missed it, Teddy’s been writing up a storm about his trip.

Our special guest for the show is Jim Knoblauch. Jim is the captain and spokesperson for the the Vermilion Voles, the vintage base ball team in the Danville, IL area. Jim talks about the Vermilion Voles and the growing popularity of vintage base ball.

Check out the show.

Bouton promoting new vintage baseball league

Jim Bouton, former pitcher and author of Ball Four, has a new project. He’s promoting a new vintage baseball league.

The league will be called the Vintage Base Ball Federation. Here is the VBBF web site. The league will base their rules and customs from the 1880’s time period.

Bouton appeared on MLB Radio’s Stayin’ Hot with Seth and Bone to promote his new project. Take a listen to his interview here (his interview is about halfway through the broadcast).

Of course, as a fan of the Vermilion Voles, I’m no stranger to vintage baseball. For the record, the Voles are part of the Vintage Base Ball Association which has been around for quite a few years.

The new VBBF is just starting out but has lofty goals. In his interview, Bouton envisions a World Series of sorts by 2007. Though it is very young, the league has the advantage of a recognized spokesperson and (presumably) some financial resources behind it.

Bouton was describing the method of play during his interview and mentioned that they use gloves similar to garden gloves. He did say there are “purists” out there right now playing by the rules of 1850’s who use no gloves at all.

I smiled and thought of the Vermilion Voles.

Voles Ground up.. but a great time nonetheless

On Saturday (the day after we got back from vacation), I packed the family in the van and we headed to beautiful Kennekuk State Park. The Vermilion Voles were taking on the Deep River Grinders. The Grinders call northern Indiana home, by the way, which again shows the length (and miles) these guys go to … Continue reading “Voles Ground up.. but a great time nonetheless”

We got there about the second inning and the Voles already spotted the Grinders a 3 run lead.

A Vole hurler casts the onion towards the striker. A long fly ball sounds nice but remember that an out can be recorded by catching the ball on one bounce by 1858 rules. The way I see it, a hard grounded or a line drive that sneaks through is much preferable.

Maybe like what this striker is doing. The one bounce rule definitely changes the strategy of hitting.

Here are two of the Deep River Grinders waiting their turn on the bench. I would be remiss if I didn’t credit my 6-year-old daughter Olivia for these two pictures.

I have to say that every time I’ve been to these games, the players (on both sides) have been very friendly and fun to talk to. A couple of them struck up a conversation with my wife and my daughter while I was taking pictures. They were happy to answer our questions about vintage baseball. One Grinder player showed me all the places where he has been injured while playing (3 broken bones by my count).

Where does someone get one of these, I wonder?

The scoreboard says it all. I was hoping for a 13-run rally but it wasn’t goin’ to happen. The Voles lost 14-1. The most important thing is that everyone has a good time and that was accomplished.

If however, you enjoy playing baseball and the idea of vintage baseball intrigues you (and you live in the east-central IL area, of course), visit the Voles website for contact info. I’ll bet they won’t turn you away.

Upcoming action: On August 20, the Voles will take on the Deep River Grinders on the Grinders’ home turf in Hobart, Indiana. We’re actually planning to be in the area so the Voles will have some fans rooting for them.

Voles take on the Deep River Grinders

The Vermilion Voles are playing this Saturday, August 12th. They’ll be taking on the Deep River Grinders. Game time is 2:00pm. They will be playing at beautiful Kennekuk Meadows (see map) outside Danville. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If you haven’t seen the Voles (or any type of vintage baseball action), … Continue reading “Voles take on the Deep River Grinders”

The Vermilion Voles are playing this Saturday, August 12th. They’ll be taking on the Deep River Grinders.

Game time is 2:00pm. They will be playing at beautiful Kennekuk Meadows (see map) outside Danville.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If you haven’t seen the Voles (or any type of vintage baseball action), you really should. It is really a treat. The photos from the last time I saw them play don’t even do it justice. It is a great time for the whole family.

Volin’ this Saturday

The Vermilion Voles are playing a intrasquad exhibition game this Saturday at Catlin’s (IL) Sesquicentennial. Game time is 1:00. Come on out for a good time. If you haven’t seen them already, check out the photos of their game against the St Louis Perfectos. Jim Knoblauch of the Voles dropped me an email the other … Continue reading “Volin’ this Saturday”

The Vermilion Voles are playing a intrasquad exhibition game this Saturday at Catlin’s (IL) Sesquicentennial. Game time is 1:00. Come on out for a good time.

If you haven’t seen them already, check out the photos of their game against the St Louis Perfectos. Jim Knoblauch of the Voles dropped me an email the other day. He assured me that Marty “Tumbleweed” Rife is doing just fine after his slight injury in the field.

Correction!!! My mistake.. The game is on Saturday. My goof.

Grand time watching some good olde fashioned base ball

The family and I went to Clinton, IL on Sunday and watched the Vermilion Voles take on the St Louis Perfectos. It was vintage base ball at its best. Here is my photo journal of the day. The game was played on nothing more than a grassy field. To me that seems appropriate. It just … Continue reading “Grand time watching some good olde fashioned base ball”

The family and I went to Clinton, IL on Sunday and watched the Vermilion Voles take on the St Louis Perfectos. It was vintage base ball at its best. Here is my photo journal of the day.

The game was played on nothing more than a grassy field. To me that seems appropriate. It just wouldn’t be right for the game to take place on a modern diamond.

Umpire Jim Knoblauch is seen here going over rules. Jim, in the character of Irving Mortimer Blind (get it? I. M. Blind.) took time between innings to talk to the “cranks” (the fans) and explain some of the customs, rules and other interesting information.

The spokesman for the St Louis Perfectos made a quick speech thanking the Voles, the crowd and town of Clinton for hosting the game. The Perfectos each introduced themselves as well.

…and the Voles’ spokesman did the same.

Click on the link for more cool photos and commentary…

Continue reading “Grand time watching some good olde fashioned base ball”

Catch some Vintage Base Ball on Sunday

For those who live in Central Illinois, you can see some vintage base ball on July 16th when the Vermilion Voles take on the St Louis Perfectos. It’s all part of Clinton’s Town Festival. The Voles’ schedule says the game starts at 5pm but come early and enjoy the festival if that’s your thing. Correction: … Continue reading “Catch some Vintage Base Ball on Sunday”

For those who live in Central Illinois, you can see some vintage base ball on July 16th when the Vermilion Voles take on the St Louis Perfectos.

It’s all part of Clinton’s Town Festival. The Voles’ schedule says the game starts at 5pm but come early and enjoy the festival if that’s your thing.

Correction: The game is at 3pm (not 5pm) according to manager Jim Knoblauch.

Vermilion Voles playing this weekend

If you want to see some old time base ball, the Vermilion Voles are playing this Sunday at the Newman Freedom Festival in Newman, Illinois. The Vermilion Voles play vintage base ball based on the rules of (I think) 1858. It’s a very interesting experience and fun to watch. I heartily endorse it for the … Continue reading “Vermilion Voles playing this weekend”

If you want to see some old time base ball, the Vermilion Voles are playing this Sunday at the Newman Freedom Festival in Newman, Illinois.

The Vermilion Voles play vintage base ball based on the rules of (I think) 1858. It’s a very interesting experience and fun to watch. I heartily endorse it for the whole family.

Check out the Voles’ web page for more info. And here are some pics I took from last year.

The Voles will also be playing June 25. Location is TBA… check back later with the Voles schedule for details.