The Elmhurst College baseball team c. 1920
The Elmhurst College baseball team, 1914-15
Huzzah, let the “kranks” and the “kranklets” cheer and boo, and call the “strikers” up to “the dish”!
Vintage baseball, played by the rules of 1858, is coming to Elmhurst on Sunday afternoon, June 24, with a game to be played on the Elmhurst College Mall.
Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic basket and lawn chairs to enjoy this family-friendly game played by true sportsmen, from an era of wooden bats and iron men. The Elmhurst History Museum’s executive director, Dave Oberg, will lead the activities in the role of “barrister” (an umpire by today’s standards). He will share the rules of the game and teach the fans how to cheer and jeer in fine Victorian fashion.
Hosted by the Elmhurst History Museum and Elmhurst Heritage Foundation, the game will feature two Elmhurst clubs whose rosters include a number of Elmhurst community leaders and elected officials. Several players also are familiar members of the Elmhurst College community, including Professor of History Rob Butler and alumni Alan Brinkmeier ’76 (who also is a trustee), John Quigley ’77, Michael LoCicero ’77 and Pete DiCianni ’88.
The vintage baseball game begins at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 24, on the Mall. The game is free and open to the public, and tickets are not required. Free parking is available in the Elmhurst College parking lots. For more information, visit the Elmhurst History Museum website or call (630) 833-1457.