Community Corner

Lemont Historical Society Hosts Civil War Picnic, Vintage Baseball Game

The society will host a picnic Friday to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation; the Lemont Quarrymen vintage baseball club will open their season Saturday afternoon.

The Lemont Area Historical Society will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation with a Civil War-era picnic on Friday.

The picnic will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Old Stone Church, 306 Lemont St. Civil War re-enactors will dramatize personalities and events, and the Lemont Quarrymen vintage baseball team will make a guest appearance.

At 7 p.m., the society will announce the winner of the 2013 Crosstown Classic baseball ticket raffle. The winner will receive two premium seats and parking for two games of the annual Chicago White Sox-Cubs matchup. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20, and will be sold through Thursday at Smokey Row Antique Shop and Tom's Place and through Friday at the Historical Society.

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Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children 10 and under. 

The Historical Society will also host a free vintage baseball game Saturday afternoon between the Lemont Quarrymen and the Oregon Ganymeades. The game will begin at 1 p.m. at Covington North Park, 1257 Covington Drive.

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Players not only dress in traditional 1858 uniforms, but they also follow the rules and style of play.

Unlike baseballs today, which measure about 9 inches in circumference, the Quarrymen play with 10-inch balls. Instead of playing on lined dirt fields, the team uses open, grassy areas. There is no age limit and the men do not use mitts.

Runners are not permitted to steal or slide, which was considered "ungentlemanly" in 1858. The team operates under a code of honor, which is often enforced by the umpire, who wears a suit and top hat during the games.

The Quarrymen, which is made up of 16 players ages 25 to 62, is sponsored by the Lemont Area Historical Society. Additional home matches will be played on June 22, July 20 and Aug. 4.

Before heading to the game, brush up on your 19th Century baseball vocabulary with a short glossary of terms:

  • Apple, onion, orb, hoghide: baseball
  • Ace, tally: run or score
  • Charming deadheads: female fans
  • Garden: outfield
  • Huzzah!: Hurray!
  • Knock: hit
  • Long fielder or scout: outfielder
  • Muff or duff: error
  • Rover: shortstop
  • Striker: batter
  • Whitewash: shutout

For more information, call the Historical Society at 630-257-2972 or visit www.lemonthistorical.org.

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