Vintage base ball squads reviving ‘gentlemanly game’
The Blue Island Brewmasters had invited the Lemont Quarrymen to play base ball as it was played in 1858.
Historical documents show “base ball” was two words back then. And that wasn’t the only thing different about what would become America’s pastime.
Pitchers are called hurlers, catchers were called “the behind” and shortstops were called rovers.
The rules were different too.
Gloves are not used, but catching on a bounce counts as an out and outfielders need to stay in their positions — shifting is not allowed.
Only the rover can move around on the field prior to the ball being in play.
And stealing bases is not allowed.
The sole umpire typically smokes a cigar while calling the game.
“What he says goes,” Brewmaster team captain Kevin Brown said. “Arguing a call could lead to fine of 25 cents. And spitting or swearing also could lead to a fine. This is a gentlemanly game.”
Some of the lingo includes telling someone to “leg it” rather than “hustle or to “strike well” rather than “hit the ball.”
Each player also has a nickname.
Brown is known as “Kindling” because his teammates say he gets burned in the outfield.
One player is called “Boilermaker” because he attended Purdue University, and another is called “burger” because of his physique. Another is called “Timber” because he has a tendency to let go of the bat while swinging.
“Crawl Daddy” had his choice of either that name or “Potato Salad.”
Brown started the historical reenactments in 2017 to augment his work in the community as director of the Blue Island Historical Society.
He had played vintage base ball for the Deep River Grinders in Hobart, Indiana, for 14 years and wanted to bring the game to his hometown of Blue Island.
“It’s a cool tradition,” Brown said.
The Brewmasters play six games a year, with three of them being at their home field near the intersection of James and Ann streets.
Brown said they usually have between 50 and 100 spectators.
He said he chose the name of the team to pay homage to the city’s beer brewing history.
There was no refrigeration in 1858 and beer needs to be lagered at a cool temperature, so the city’s residents of German heritage dug into the moraines that once made Blue Island an actual island to find just the right temperature.
Vintage base ball reenactments have been a growing phenomenon in the Chicago area for some time.
The Lemont Quarrymen, for example, started in 2007 as the Lockport Sleepers.
They get their name from the historic limestone quarries in the area.
“Most of us either love the game or were history teachers or history buffs who’ve worked in museums,” said Quarrymen team member Rick “Master Strategist” Kurek.
His wife, Joanne Kurek, was among the dozens of spectators Saturday.
“What better place to be on a warm, sunny day for free?” she said.
Brown’s wife, Sara Brown, said the games have become major family events and new friends are made when Blue Island families host pot luck meals after the games at the historical society building.
The Brewmasters next game is July 27 against the Quarrymen at Mount Assisi in Lemont.
The team’s next home game and final game of the season is Sept. 7 against the Chicago Salmon.
The Quarrymen are playing 24 games this season, with their next four at Cantigny Red Oak Fest on July 13 against the DuPage Plowboys, Creston Regulators, Aurora Town Club and Somonauk Blue Stockings.
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