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Photos of Uncle Joe Cannon’s Base Ball Jamboree

Saturday, my friend Brando and I went to the Uncle Joe Cannon’s Base Ball Jamboree at Danville Stadium. We saw five hours of glorious (and maybe not so glorious) vintage base ball. Either way, we had a blast!

It was Brando’s first time at a vintage base ball game. It does take some getting used to some of the rules. The most prevalent ones being:

the batter is out if the fielder catches the ball on one bounce runners cannot lead off, steal, slide, and the batter may be tagged if he overruns first base.
infielders (except for the rover) must play on their base till the pitch is thrown.
no walks and strikes are called only when the batter swings and misses.

The Jamboree Participants

The four teams participating in today’s event were (links go to the team’s respective web sites):

It was a round robin tournament where each tournament where each team would play the other once. The tournament began on time at 11;00 with the host team Voles taking on the Salmon.

I’ve never been much good for remembering scores at vintage base ball events. To me, that’s not the attraction of the game. I suppose that’s a good thing when the Voles, the hosts and the team I follow, give up 17 runs in the first three innings of the first game against the mighty Chicago Salmon. The Salmon had a knack for hitting line drives that just wouldn’t bounce up so the Voles fielders could catch them on the first bounce. The game was thankfully called via the mercy rule. To their credit, the Voles were playing with many of their squad gone. More Voles showed up later for their games against the Juniors and the Unions.

Before we get to more photos, I would like to thank Brando for coming with me for the day. It made the day that much more fun. Also thanks to host team captain Jim Knoblauch who doubled as arbiter for much of the day. It’s my guess that a lot of the planning for the day fell on him, too. Great job!

Also, thanks to tally-keeper Ed “Hambone” Hamilton and alternate arbiter Robert Hous both who did a excellent job. Oh, and thanks to Jim’s wife Joyce who scored me a tournament pin (you see a scanned image of it at the top of this post). The pins were handed out to the players but she was real nice and gave me one too.

And thanks to the players too!

Some more photos (you can see a whole bunch more at the Photo Gallery):

The two faces of Voles’ team captain Jim Knoblauch

Ballist…

…and later, arbiter.

A few grim faced gentleman who were members of the Chicago Salmon. They were actually nice and were a heckuva ball team. They won all three of their games.

The Chicago Salmon men were a great team and all but they don’t fool me. This woman was the real boss. She would sit in their dugout and fan herself. With her sharp tongue, she would yell encouragements to the Salmon players and sometimes tell the arbiter how she thought things should be run.

My buddy Brando striking a pose with the bat they use in vintage base ball.

A close up of the bat label (click to enlarge).

Hey, there’s Zealot friend (and Voles’ webmaster) Shawn “General” Lee as hurler for the Voles against the New Baden Juniors!

He also drove in a run with a two-base hit in that game. When I gave him congrats on that after the game, self-deprecating Shawn pointed out that he was probably responsible for nine of New Baden’s eleven runs. oops. Nice hit anyway, Shawn!

The look of intensity on this Vole ballist as he runs to first base is amazing.

The Unions catch a New Baden runner in a pickle.

A Vole hurler was hit squarely on the chest by a hit ball during the New Baden contest. Within a minute, he was up and tossin’ the onion once again.

New Baden players salute with the traditional “Huzzah” at the end of the game.

Once more, there are more photos at the Baseball Zealot Photo Gallery. Tons of photos.

(8/25/08) As an added bonus, I’ve just added a (slightly jerky) video of the Vermilion Voles introducing themselves before their game with the New Baden Juniors. You can see it here.

Vintage Base Ball: Voles vs Ground Squirrels- Battle of the Rodents

Today my family went to see the local vintage base ball team, the Vermilion Voles, take on friendly rivals Rock Springs Ground Squirrels at beautiful Kennekuk Park outside Danville, Illinois. It seems lately, it’s hard to find a parking spot at their ball field. That’s a pleasant inconvenience because I know people are coming out to watch the Voles.

When we got there midway through the first game, the Voles were unfortunately down 9-3. They did mount a rally in the seventh and last inning and put three aces across the plate to make it interesting but lost 9-6.

We thought we might get a chance to see a Voles win in game 2 when they broke a 4-4 tie in the 6th frame and made it 5-4. Alas, the Rock Springs Ground Squirrels scored a run to tie it in the last inning. Playing in extras, Rock Springs won it in the bottom of the 8th on a single ace.

For a hurler, Rock Springs had a member of the fairer gender.

Lately, Voles captain Jim Knoblauch who normally is the arbiter for the games, has taken to putting on a uniform and doing his part for the Voles.

A Rock Springs player crosses home plate and scores an ace.

Rita “Hustle” Hostetler may not be the best hitter on the Voles team but she’s probably the friendliest (even to the opposition).

Jim “Weed Eater” Knoblach knocks a two-base hit late in the second game.

Tally-keeper Ed “Hambone” Hamilton proves his versatility by singing “A Hurler’s Lament” between games to entertain the crowd.

A little girl asks the Voles players for their autographs. Don’t let it go to your heads, guys!

Finally, much thanks to Robert Hous who acted as arbiter for today’s games and did a great job!

Many more photos at The Baseball Zealot Photo Gallery. More info about the Vermilion Voles at their web site.

If you’re interested in seeing some vintage base ball and you are in the east central Illinois area, come to Uncle Joe’s Base Ball Jamboree next weekend.

Vintage Baseball: Vermilion Voles vs St Louis Perfectos

“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.

The Stephen A Douglas Vintage Base Ball Tournament

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!

Photos of the Voles vs Grinders vintage base ball game

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.

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