On Sunday, Sept. 28, the Elmhurst University campus will host the Vintage Baseball Game, a throwback competition played by the old-school rules of the 1850s.

With fans (known as “kranks”) expected to be out in force to cheer and jeer the proceedings, teams from the City of Elmhurst and Elmhurst University will battle for victory on the University Mall in what has become an annual showdown and an afternoon of family fun.

The game pits elected officials, staff, commissioners and volunteers for the City of Elmhurst against Elmhurst University faculty, staff, trustees and alumni in the old-fashioned but fast-moving game. Elmhurst University President Troy D. VanAken will serve as captain of the University team, and Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin will lead the city team.

The University was awarded the Cottage Hill Cup for its 13-12 victory over the city last summer.

In the 19th century, baseball, or “base ball” as it was called at that time, had wildly different rules and customs from what we know today. Teams applauded each other for good play, players demonstrated courtly behavior on and off the field, and the game was bare-handed.

The Elmhurst History Museum’s executive director, Dave Oberg, will oversee the competition as “barrister” (also known as an umpire), and share the rules and slang terms with the spectators. (A list of terms is below.)

The Vintage Baseball Game begins at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28, on the Elmhurst University Mall. Fans are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnics and refreshments to enjoy during the game, which is sponsored by the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation. The game is free and all are welcome to attend. Events like these reaffirm Elmhurst University’s commitment to lifelong learning and engagement for our students and the entire University community.

For more information, email [email protected] or visit the Elmhurst History Museum’s website, elmhursthistory.org.

19th-century ‘Base Ball’ Terminology

Vintage baseball games have their own vocabulary, including cheers and jeers from the stands and players. Here is a guide to some of the terms that can be heard in typical vintage baseball competitions:

Apple/Onion/Horsehide/Pill: The ball

Blooper/Banjo: A weak fly ball

Boodler: An ungentlemanly maneuver

Bowler/Feeder/Hurler/Thrower/Twirler: Pitcher

Club Nine: Ball team

Kranks/Bugs/Rooters/Throng: Fans

Daisy cutter/Ant killer/Worm burner/Bug crusher: Sharp ground ball

Dew drop/Foul tick: Foul ball

Dish: Home plate

Drop a duck egg on ’em: Hold them scoreless for the inning

Glad hand: Clapping

Hit the apple out of the orchard/Lay the willow on that onion: Hit a home run