“Take me out to the ball game!” will offer old and new opportunities on Aug. 8 when the culture of an international sport with a fast pitch and running bases is celebrated, then played on a baseball diamond near you.
Beginning at 1PM Sat., Aug. 8, visitors at Naper Settlement can relive the engaging history of the Grand Old Game also known as “America’s Pastime.” The vintage game returns during the Hometown Picnic at the 19th century outdoor history museum when other old-fashioned games, contests and an apple pie competition welcome all ages to the lazy days of the good old summertime from noon to 4PM.
Baseball has been a longtime favorite pastime in Naperville, a city with roots back to 1831. For many years, the sport brought to prominence with modern rules in the mid-1880s was featured during Joe Naper Days, an annual event that stepped back into the 19th century at Naper Settlement.
This Saturday, fans can enjoy a little fast-paced action of bare knuckle baseball based on the original rules from 1858 as they cheer on the Lemont Quarrymen vs. the Deep River Grinders.
For more information, visit www.napersettlement.org.
20th Century baseball in Naperville
Over the years, local residents have provided vintage photos depicting local baseball teams, some in uniform and some without. Perhaps readers will recognize some of the players in the photos from the 1930s featured below.
Above / Photos submitted by Alva Jean Tannery from her large collection.
Above / Naperville Little League All Stars shined as the 1963 Illinois State Champions (Click here for story).
What’s more, in the 20th century, local players born in Naperville such as Ryan Bukvich, J.J. Furmaniak, Bert Haas even made it the Major Leagues.
All these photos and memories bring us to the timely news received from the Naperville Park District.
Naperville Little League hosts youth from Beijing
On Sat., August 8, Naperville Little League and Naperville Park District will welcome visitors to Centennial Park who will travel more than 7,000 miles to play baseball and enjoy a cultural exchange.
Little League Operations Manager Larry Lucas said that plans to bring youth baseball players to Naperville from China began in January.
“We were excited that the Beijing group chose Naperville to host their event, out of the thousands of youth organizations across the country,” said Lucas.
The former Major League player Steve Ontiveros will conduct eight two-hour clinic sessions for the visiting and host players at the Centennial Beach baseball field.
Above / Centennial Park Baseball Outfield will welcome play by play with guests from Beijing, China, on Aug. 8.
In addition to being immersed in the American sport of baseball, the 11 boys and 2 girls from China will take in as many cultural experiences as they can during their 10-day stay.
Little League families will host the children in their homes while the chaperones will stay in local hotels. The host families are invited to accompany the Chinese players as they visit the Chicago sites, including a White Sox game and a Cubs game, Navy Pier, several museums, and events at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago.
They also will attend a Thursday evening concert in Central Park presented by the Naperville Municipal Band.
“We are delighted that Little League is able to organize this cultural exchange,” said NPD Director of Recreation Brad Wilson. “Just as we welcomed a baseball team from Dubai several years ago, we are happy that Chinese youth can learn baseball in Naperville.”
