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Photo by Diane Cox
Christopher “Cheddar” Garbs played the position of hurler in a game against the Belleville Cyclones at the Moose Lodge in Belleville. Hurler is the same as today’s pitcher in modern baseball.
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Photo by Diane Cox
The look of the vintage ball and bat used in the Vintage Base Ball Association are similar to those used today. The bat is a single piece of wood and comes in different styles and shapes. The ball is made from a single piece of horse leather and does not have a cork center.
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Photo by Diane Cox
Vintage Base Ball Association arbitrator Todd “Dutch” Eschman updates the scoreboard throughout the game. The arbitrator is similar to today’s umpires but plays more of a circus ringleader role.
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Photo by Diane Cox
Nick “Cincinnati” Ramirez catches the ball at second base to get an out on Belleville Cyclone shortstop (rover) Jim “Tree-Knocker” Keane.
ALTON — In the early days of modern baseball, the sport was called a gentleman’s game, stocked with rules quite similar to today’s Major League Baseball system.
Becoming a professional sport in 1869, “base ball” started off in New York City with the Knickerbockers in 1845.
“The way we play the game is about as Americana as apple pie and Chevrolet,” Alton Giant Vintage Base Ball Club President Greg “Big G” Gelzinnis said. “Yes, we call it a gentleman’s game, but we have co-ed teams, men’s teams and women’s teams. We all play together and play against each other. Everyone is very courteous to one another. Other teams have been kind enough to loan us equipment to help get us started.”
Calling Rock Spring Park home, the club chose its name to pay respect to Alton’s Gentle Giant, Robert Wadlow, and was welcomed by the Vintage Base Ball Association in its inaugural season in early 2016.
“One of our team members told us about the VBBA and we decided to put together an exhibition game last fall to give it a try,” Gelzinnis said. “We had some organizational meetings throughout the winter and early spring and started practicing. We had 200 to 300 people come out and support us for that first exhibition game.
“We play about a match a month and we’ve added players to our roster every game.”
While the principle of the game is the same in modern baseball, the rules of 1858-1860 have significant differences. The original spelling of “base ball” was written as two words. Players do not use a glove or mitt, the bats are one piece of solid wood and the ball is made of one entire piece of leather with a looser stitch and no corked center. The umpire is actually called an arbitrator and plays more of a role of a comedic circus ringleader. The pitcher is called a hurler and a catcher goes by the title behind.
The arbitrator will announce if there is an out, but does not call balls or strikes. The only way a batter, also known as a striker, is considered struck out is if he or she swings and misses three times. The shortstop is referred to as a rover and is the only player who can play anywhere on the field. No outs are called until both teams agree the player is, in fact, out.
“The bases are still 90 feet apart and the pitching plate is 45 feet from home,” Alton Giant Team Manager John Farris said. “If you catch a ball in the air or with one bounce, the striker is out. These game rules are quite different, but it’s also the expected behavior of the players that make it fun. A man must tip his hat to a lady and everyone is just more courteous to each other.
“Now that I’ve played the game this way, I won’t go back to softball or baseball. This is interesting and a lot of fun.”
The Alton Giants faced the Rock Springs Ground Squirrels of Decatur, Ill., Illinois’ first vintage base ball club, on June 25 at Rock Spring Park.
“We are enjoying this team and are having a lot of fun,” Gelzinnis said. “Some teams are more competitive than others. At this point, we are just playing for fun and learning how to play by the different rules. Our arbitrator, Todd ‘Dutch’ Eschman, said it best when he said it really takes a full season of play before you really get the hang of the different style of play.”
Before each game, the players introduce themselves by nickname to the spectators with a tip of their hat.
The Alton club is seeking more members to join as well as welcoming donations to help the program continue. Anyone interested in joining the team or making a donation can visit the Alton Giant Vintage Base Ball Club on Facebook or contact Gelzinnis at (618) 550-9291.