Hurler, sticks and rag balls -- Vintage baseball leading off Fourth of July celebration

A "hurler" from the Stuhr Museum team takes aim in a game of vintage baseball like one that will be presented in McCook on Wednesday. (Courtesy photo)

Good-natured hecklers are needed for the vintage baseball game July 4 at the McCook Jaycee Ball complex.

But this won't be your typical baseball game, promised Pam Harsh, executive director of the McCook Chamber of Commerce, which is sponsoring the game along with the McCook Quasquicenten-nial Committee.

In keeping with McCook's 125th celebration, a local roster of "All-Stars" will play the game exactly as it was played when it first came out in the 1860s, about the time Nebraska became a state.

This means plenty of "cranks," or fans, who egged on the players, Harsh said.

"It will all be done all in fun," Harsh said. "Player participation in the early days got pretty intense at times."

Baseball in yesteryear was quite a bit different that how it is played today, she said. Pitchers were known as hurlers and batters told the hurler where they wanted to the ball to go. Balls were thrown underhanded and a runner had to report to the scorer's table and ring the bell for the run to count.

In addition, equipment from the early days of baseball meant no gloves and a baseball "stick" to hit a rag ball covered in leather.

Besides just playing the game differently, an eclectic roster of local "All-Stars" will wear reproduction vintage uniforms from the Stuhr Museum -- think baggy pants and caps. Players for the vintage team were chosen for their sense of fun and not necessarily for their athletic ability on the field, Harsh said.

"This game is not about competition but just to have a good time," Harsh said. "it's more about entertaining the crowd."

Those who have agreed to play include ministers, city council and school board members and those from the business community. They include Steve Stein, Duane Tappe, Marty Conroy, Jason Schmick, Tyler Schmick, Matt Weimers, Jim Ulrich, Dan Hartwell, Liron Yost, Kyle Potthoff, Darwin Scott, Shane Smith, Alex Haag, Greg Larson, Darryl Volquardsen, Mark Searcey, Chris Atkins, Clark Bates, Doug Terry, Darin Samway, Brandon Lenhart, Tom Bredvick, Dave Eaton and Aaron Kircher.

Before the game, a barbeque and watermelon feed will be at 6 p.m. at the Jaycee Ball park, provided by McCook service organizations for a free will donation. The game begins at 6:30 and is estimated to wind down about 8:30 p.m., in time for the "Patriotic and Proud" musical program at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds grandstands.

"This will be an excellent program of music and performances," Harsh said, that will help rekindle feelings of patriotism and pride for our county and armed service men and women. Emceed by Cal Siegfried, presentations are scheduled from the Heritage Singers, the Color Guard from the Nebraska National Guard and Kyle Kunkee.

Capping off the evening will be the firework show presented by the McCook Optimist Club.

"This will be great way to celebrate the Fourth of July for all ages," Harsh said.