Champaign Clippers Vintage Base Ball Club

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Savoy, IL
Champaign Clippers Vintage Base Ball Club

No gloves. Underhand pitching. Tons of fun. This is the original game of base ball.

06/08/2026

This Sunday, June 14, the Champaign Clippers welcome the mighty McLean County Prairie Chickens to Colbert Park for a grand day of vintage base ball.

The first of two matches shall begin at 11 o’clock, with a second contest to follow after a brief intermission. Between matches, young cranks will have the opportunity to step onto the field, swing a wooden bat, and experience the joy of base ball as it was played in its earliest days.

Bring a lawn chair, pack a few refreshments, and settle in for an afternoon of sport and fellowship. Witness the game in its original form: bare hands, underhand hurling, wooden bats, and bound outs, all played in the spirit of fair play and camaraderie.

📍 Colbert Park
203 E. Church St., Savoy, IL
🕚 Sunday, June 14 – First match at 11 AM
🎟️ Free and open to all

Whether you are a devoted crank or a curious newcomer, we invite you to join us upon the green for a fine day of base ball.

Huzzah!

06/03/2026

Curious about base ball as it was played in its earliest days? Wonder why we play without gloves, hurl underhand, and celebrate a tally with a ringing cowbell?

Join the Champaign Clippers Vintage Base Ball Club at The Urbana Free Library on Thursday, June 4, from 6:30–7:30 PM for an evening of stories, history, and the grand old game.

Learn about the origins of base ball, the customs and rules of the 1850s and 1860s, and how the Clippers keep this historic pastime alive right here in Central Illinois. Whether you’re a lifelong crank, a history enthusiast, or simply curious, all are welcome.

The Urbana Free Library
Thursday, June 4
6:30–7:30 PM
Free to attend

Come spend an hour with us and discover why vintage base ball continues to capture hearts more than 150 years after its beginnings.

Huzzah!

06/01/2026

A glorious day of vintage base ball was enjoyed this past Saturday at Colbert Park in Savoy, where the Champaign Clippers welcomed the Vermilion Voles and the Decatur-Springfield Long Squirrels for a spirited round robin of three matches.

The weather was warm, though a friendly breeze swept across the grounds and kept both ballists and cranks in good spirits. Throughout the day, a fine gathering of spectators took in the action, learned the customs of the game from its earliest days, and sent young hopefuls onto the field between matches to swing the bat, chase the ball, and run the bases.

The clubs were joined by an impressive company of ballists, some having traveled many miles to take part in the day’s sport. All contributed to a splendid display of striking, fielding, and fellowship, proving once again that the finest part of vintage base ball is the company it keeps.

Among those in attendance was the esteemed Droopy, seated in fine attire and faithfully keeping the tally. It is always a pleasure to have such a steward of the game among us, sharing both his presence and his considerable knowledge of base ball’s history.

As for the play itself, one curious feat stood above the rest. The catchers of the three clubs seemed possessed by uncommon fortune, recording an astonishing number of foul tip outs. More than one striker stepped confidently to the plate, took a mighty cut, and then watched in disbelief as the gently nicked sphere found its way directly into the waiting hands behind. A most humbling turn of events, and perhaps a record for the ages.

We tip our caps to the Voles, the Long Squirrels, and all who came to play, watch, learn, and share in the day. May there be many more such gatherings in the months ahead.

Huzzah!

Vermilion Voles Vintage Base Ball Club
Rock Springs Ground Squirrels

05/22/2026

On Saturday, May 30, the Champaign Clippers shall host a splendid day of vintage base ball at Colbert Park in Savoy as we welcome the Vermilion Voles Vintage Base Ball Club and the ever-spirited Rock Springs Ground Squirrels for a lively round robin upon the green.

The first of three matches begins at 11 o’clock, with base ball continuing throughout the day as the clubs trade fine play, hearty laughter, and good fellowship.

Between matches, young cranks shall be invited onto the field to swing the bat, chase the ball, and run the bases alongside the ballists themselves. A fine opportunity for youngsters to experience the grand old game in its original form!

Come witness base ball as it was played in its earliest days: wooden bats, bare hands, underhand hurling, and plenty of huzzahs. Bring a chair, pack some refreshments, and settle in for a delightful afternoon of sport and merriment.

📍 Colbert Park – Savoy, Illinois
🕚 Saturday, May 30 – First match at 11am
🎟️ Free and open to all

We hope to see you upon the grounds.
Huzzah!

05/05/2026

This past Sunday, May 3, the Champaign Clippers ventured to Normal, Illinois to meet the mighty Prairie Chickens Vintage Baseball Team Of McLean County for a most blustery day of base ball. The wind howled across the field with such force that a lesser nine might have taken to sailing!

In the spirit of exaggeration, the iron brain and its inkwell produced a most fanciful bulletin, complete with heroic wind speeds and nautical nonsense, though some still insist the name “Clippers” owes more to sewing shears than ships at sea.

The photographic evidence of the gale is, of course, entirely trustworthy.

Nonsense aside, it was a fine afternoon upon the green. Sunshine broke through, great clouds rolled overhead, and both clubs showed admirable skill with bat and ball. Strong striking and steady fielding were on full display.

The Clippers were pleased to welcome two new ballists to the fold, Barticus and Yer Honor, both of whom took to the game with ease and proved fine company throughout the day.

Our steadfast hurler, Wolfman, suffered two sharp strikes up the middle yet carried on with grit and determination, remaining in the contest and showing true mettle. The wolf is, as ever, resilient.

We extend our thanks to the Prairie Chickens for their warm hospitality and fine sport. It is always a pleasure to share the field with such a worthy club.

Huzzah!

04/28/2026

This Sunday, May 3, the Champaign Clippers take to the road to meet our worthy companions, the McLean County Prairie Chickens, for a fine afternoon of vintage base ball in Bloomington-Normal. The first of two matches shall commence at 1 o’clock, and all are invited to witness the sport as it was played in its earliest days.

Expect lively striking, swift running, and the grand traditions of the game: no gloves, underhand hurling, and good cheer throughout.

Bring a chair, gather your friends, and join us for an afternoon of fellowship and base ball.

Huzzah!

Date: Sunday, May 3
Time: 1pm
Location: One Normal Plaza, Normal, IL

04/20/2026

A merry time was had at the Spring Commoner Vintage Base Ball Jubilee this past Sunday, the 19th of April! The Champaign Clippers once more extended an open invitation to all who wished to take the field, marking the fine beginning of the 2026 campaign.

Though the affair was moved from Saturday on account of a soaking rain the night prior, Sunday brought fair skies, dry grounds, and a most spirited gathering of ballists and cranks.

A host of new hands: Big J, Dano, Air, L-Bells, Eh, Ah, and one Brandon (a curious case, still without proper nickname), took up the game with enthusiasm, joining a splendid assembly of Clippers and our good friends of the Prairie Chickens Vintage Baseball Team Of McLean County.

There was laughter, lively play, and no shortage of fine effort across the field, as all enjoyed the game in its original and most joyful form.

We thank all who came to take part in the day’s sport. If this be the start of the season, then it promises to be a grand one indeed.

Huzzah!

04/16/2026

Date Change: The Commoner Moves to Sunday

Good friends of base ball, the skies threaten rain on Friday night, and so we make a prudent call. The Commoner Vintage Base Ball Jubilee shall now be held on Sunday, April 19, that the grounds may be fit and the play most lively.

🗓️ Sunday, April 19
🕚 11 o’clock
📍 Colbert Park, Savoy

All else remains the same! Come one, come all, and take your turn upon the field. No experience required, only a spirit for sport and good cheer.

We thank you for your understanding and look forward to a fine day of base ball. Huzzah!

04/13/2026

This Saturday, the call goes out once more! The Commoner Vintage Base Ball Jubilee is upon us! All are invited to take the field, try their hand, and enjoy the game in its original spirit.

Saturday, April 18
11 o’clock
Colbert Park, Savoy

Should the skies turn foul and the grounds unfit, fear not! We shall try to reconvene on Sunday, April 19, to carry on the merriment.

Come ready for sport, laughter, and good company.

We hope to see you upon the green! Huzzah!

03/19/2026

Hear ye! A grand invitation is extended to all who fancy a game upon the green. The Champaign Clippers welcome one and all to take part in a lively day of vintage base ball where anyone may play!

No experience? No matter.
No equipment? None needed.
Just bring yourself and a spirit for fun.

Play the game as it was meant to be: no gloves, underhand pitching, and good cheer all around.

📅 Saturday, April 18
🕚 11 o’clock
📍 Colbert Park, Savoy, IL

Step onto the field, try your hand, and join the frolic. Or, simply enjoy the spectacle! Huzzah!

Address

Savoy, IL
61874

Website

https://champaignclippers.org/

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