Tag: vintage base ball

“One man dead!”

Today, the family and I headed out to Kennekuk County Park to see the Vermilion Voles play some vintage base ball.  The St Louis Perfectos complete with their red socks and all, came to play.

It was a beautiful day and when we arrived, I was pleased to see that there was a good crowd, so much so that we needed to park out by the road.  No complaints… I’m glad the Voles are getting some attention.

Speaking of attention, the Voles were getting some media attention today.  A cameraman from the local news station (Channel 3) was out there getting some good footage of them.

Today they had a doubleheader and we were able to stay for the first game.  As for the game itself, it was probably one of the best vintage base ball games that I’ve seen.  When we arrived somewhere around the 3rd frame, it was 4-3 Voles.  I heard later that the Voles had never beaten the Perfectos before so I bet the Voles were pretty excited.

The Perfectos tallied an ace in the 7th to tie the game to put it in extras.  Captain Jim “Weed Eater” Knoblauch told me that was the first time they had a extra-inning game at Kennekuk Park.

Two innings later, the Perfectos hit a 3-run double in the top of the inning.  The Voles managed to put to men on base in the bottom of the inning but were left stranded.  Perfectos won 7-4.

A good game by all gentleman (and gentlelady)!

Here are few of the photos I got today:

One thing I remember about the Perfectos from last year is their insanely red socks.

Voles’ catcher Rita “Hustle” Hostetler gets friendly with the opposition.

I swear, this cigar never left the mouth of this Perfecto ballist.  Whether he was batting or playing catcher, it stayed there.

This two-parter shows a dandy play by the Voles’ third-sacker.

I thought this gentleman bore a resemblance to Morrie from the Dick Van Dyke Show.  I’m not laughing though.  He was 5 for 5 with 5 rbis.  Well done, sir!

Between games, Ed “Hambone” Hamiliton, who is the tallykeeper for the Voles, led the fans in a rousing song of “Buffalo Gals”.

When we got home tonight, I overheard my 8-year old daughter singing it to herself.  Well played, Hambone!

Hambone at his normal station.

You’ll find lots more photos from today at the Photo Gallery.

Once again, we had a really good time.  Unfortunately, the Voles couldn’t pull it out but it was a really good game with some really good defense (see the two photos above).  Hopefully, the Voles came out the victor in game two.

If you’re in the East Central Illinois area, come out to a Voles game sometime.  You’ll find their schedule on the Voles’ web site.  If you don’t live in the area, find a vintage base ball team around you.  A good place to start is the Vintage Base Ball Association directory.  Maybe there’s a team around you and you don’t know it.

Vintage Base Ball fans got a treat on Sunday when the Rock Springs Ground Squirrels hosted their annual Stephen A Douglas Vintage Base Ball Tournament.  It was an all day affair starting at 10am involving four teams including my fan favorite Vermilion Voles.

I got there in the afternoon and as usual, I had my trusty Canon with me.  Here are some of shots I got.  Click to enlarge any photo.

I arrived in time to watch the Deep River Grinders take on the Ground Squirrels.  The player in the second photo looks like he can really crank it.  Well, looks aren’t deceiving.  He took the ball deep to left-centerfield both times I saw him at the plate.

This lovely lady all dressed up was the scorekeeper for the Grinders-Ground Squirrels game.  She was nice enough to let me take her photo and even gave me a souvenir pin.

The folks in the Voles camp were passing this around so I had to ask about it.  Earlier in the day, the Voles defeated the Ground Squirrels for the FIRST time in the four years they have played them.  Yay!

“Hollywood” Bolton warms up before the game with the Sum Punkins

Here’s Shawn “General” Lee “laying the willow on the onion” for a hit.  Shawn is the webmaster for the Voles but doesn’t do too shabby on the field either.  He had two hits, a run and a rbi in the last game.  The General had a couple good plays in the field while playing first, too.

Shawn up to bat.  In the foreground is the arbiter or umpire.

The youngest member of the Voles is Dylan “Pup” Rife.  He was quite the hero of the game against the Sum Punkins with his excellent play at second base.

Finally, the Voles players thank their opponents with three Huzzahs!

I have tons more photos at TBZ Photo Gallery.  Check them out.  Thanks to the Rock Springs Ground Squirrels for a grand time!

Between this morning’s rain and this evening’s drizzle, there was enough good weather for a good ol’ fashion base ball game.  The Vermilion Voles took on the Deep River Grinders at the Voles’ home field at Kennekuk Cove State Park.  Here are some of the photos I took.

Here’s a sight I’m not used to.  Jim “Weed Eater” Knoblauch, the captain of the team, traded his bowler and suspenders he wears when he umps the games for a ballplayer uni.

Here’s our own Shawn “General” Lee up to bat.  Shawn is an occasional co-host of Baseball Zealot Radio.  He has lent his talents as webmaster towards the Voles’ website the last few years.  This year, he thought he try playing on the team, too.  Nice form, Shawn!

This shot of Marty “Tumbleweed” Rife shows that while vintage base ball may be an “exhibition” sport, they play for real.  Check out the grass stains on his shoulder!

A Grinder striker (batter) hits one to right.  Remember, a fielder can catch it on one bounce and he is dead (out).

The Deep River team were a bit short on players so the Voles lent them their starting catcher, Rita “Hustler” Hostetler.  They may have regretted that since she ended up scoring a run for the Grinders.  Nice hustle, Rita!

The hurler for the Grinders.  The purpose is not necessarily to blow it by the striker.  The hurlers purpose is to throw it so the striker will hit it (hopefully at a fielder).

And finally, here is the “dugout”.  I like the cozies that someone had made for the coolers to give them an old fashioned look.

I took more photos today than what you see here.  If you want to see the whole lot of ’em, check them out here.

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