Every time they take the field, members of the Portage Iron Diamonds vintage baseball team are transported back to the year 1858. They play by the first set of baseball rules ever put into writing. On Saturday, the Diamonds took on the Door Village Prairie Dogs at Woodland Park.
The Iron Diamonds were founded in 2007, so they are playing in their fifth season. The majority of their home games take place at Woodland Park, but occasionally they play at special locations such as the Bonner Senior Center. Saturday was the final home date of the year, but those that attended games this season saw a unique style of play.
“I really enjoy the fact that athleticism is not a requirement in vintage baseball. It’s a game that caters to the young and the old,” Iron Diamonds founder Dennis “The Younger” Duncan said.
Duncan decided to create a team of his own after playing for the Grinders out of Hobart in 2006. He manages the team and was also the starting pitcher against Door Village. The Younger’s nickname comes from the fact that his father, Dennis “The Elder” Duncan, also plays on the team.
“I like the family atmosphere. There is no cussing, swearing or arguments between players,” The Younger said.
Bob Wszolek, player and manager for the visiting Prairie Dogs team, echoed the idea that vintage baseball is more relaxed.
“A lot of the guys like playing because it’s a lot less competitive than softball. There is much more team and opposing team camaraderie. Our goal here really just to have fun,” he said.
One of the most prominent differences between vintage baseball and the modern game is that gloves are not used and balls caught on one bounce are ruled outs. Overrunning first base, sliding and stealing are all forbidden from vintage ball.
Saturday’s game against the Prairie Dogs was a thriller. The Diamonds fell behind 8-1 early, but rallied and eventually tied the game with three runs in the top of the seventh. The game would have been called a tie had it remained even, but the Dogs notched a run in the bottom of the seventh to pick up a 10-9 victory.
This season the Iron Diamonds played 80 percent of their games on the road, but they plan to play almost exclusively at home in 2012.
“My goal for the rest of the season is to field a full roster for all of our games and avoid injuries,” Dennis the Younger said.
The Iron Diamonds took on the Chicago Salmon in the second game of their double header on Saturday. They will travel to South Haven, Michigan on August 6 before wrapping up the season in Huntington, Indiana on August 14.