Huzzah! Vintage ‘Base Ball’ Returns

Submitted by Kurt Begalka, Administrator, McHenry County Historical Society

Singing the McHenry County Independants Fight Song: Paul Skowronski, Dave Skowronski and Tony Johnson

MCHENRY COUNTY – Baseball in the Civil War era bore some resemblance to America’s contemporary favorite pastime, but in its infancy, the game resembled more of a gentleman’s club, noted for good sportsmanship and manners. Players were known to even cheer their opponents, and the captains would offer inspiring words after each game, praising both teams and the fans. Any players who got out of line would apologize to the crowd.

Kurt “Scoop” Begalka is the administrator of the McHenry County Historical Society, but when summer comes, he becomes manager of the McHenry County Independants, a vintage baseball team that is cheekily named after what appears to be a misspelled team team name from a newspaper article from more than 150 years ago. The Independants play by 1858 rules, which include wooden bats, lemon-peel baseballs with stitches that meet at the top, and underhand pitches from “hurlers.” A ball caught on the first bounce is considered an out.

With the rules come delightful slang that encapsulates the good-natured mood of the game. An excellent play is called a peach, while a surprising play is a corker; but “Go back to Hackensack!” is considered an especially vicious taunt. Instead of telling a teammate to run faster, you may overhear the expression, “Stir your stumps!”

“We’re not the most die-hard of teams,” admits Begalka, who says the Independants tend to have more “ice wagons”  (slow-moving players) than some of the other teams.

“Sometimes I’m watching people running the bases and it looks like they’re not going anywhere!” laughs Begalka. “So I say, ‘What, are you running in water?’”

The vintage teams are all about letting the fans experience a little of what baseball was like back in the early days, says Begalka. From his research of area teams, Begalka found that many were sponsored by companies, like the Elgin Watch Factory or Oliver Typewriter Co. in Woodstock. In fact, the story goes that in 1902, a third baseman from the Olivers, George Moriarty, was plucked from obscurity after being discovered by the Chicago Cubs at an Olivers exhibition game. He was signed to play for the Chicago Cubs on the spot, and played on the team for two years before moving on to the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers.

Want to play ball?

Prospective players for the McHenry County Independants are invited to practice from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 5, at the field in Prairie Grove, adjacent to the Village Hall. Players should be fit enough to run the bases (although occasional “pinch runners” are permitted—young kids pulled from the crowd for a playful surprise) and commit to two exhibition games each season – the first of which is on Saturday, June 19. The Independants are hosting the McLean County Prairie Chickens.

In accordance with the 1858 rules, Begalka brings a 100-foot measuring tape on a reel, and a can of marking paint to mark off 90 feet between bases. (‘You never think you’re going to get there!’ he exclaims.)

He says playing with the Independants is a great way to share a little local history with the community, while trying not to pull any muscles.

“Everybody loves baseball, and I think they’ve missed it,” says Begalka.

For more information, contact historical society administrator Kurt Begalka at [email protected] or call the office 815-923-2267.