Music, Food, Vintage Baseball, Fun at Chamber Summer Celebration

(CHRIS FLEENER OF THE EFFINGHAM SKIPPERS TALKED WITH A MEMBER OF THE ST. LOUIS UNIONS BETWEEN GAMES OF VINTAGE BASEBALL SUNDAY)

The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce continued marking its 100th birthday Sunday with a Summer Celebration on the grounds of Sacred Heart Parish.

Activities ran from noon to 10pm and featured music, carnival rides, food, vintage baseball and games for kids and adults.

The vintage baseball featured the St. Louis Unions and the Vandalia Old Capitols, as well as a group of volunteers made up of area coaches and friends known as the Effingham Skippers. The event turned into a round-robin, each team playing two games. The St. Louis squad went 2-0, while the other two teams finished 1-1.

Local team members included Chris Fleener, Tony Kreke, John Niebrugge, Tim Pezan, Jared Chesnut, Steve Boswell, Rod Wiethop, Kent Niebrugge, Eric Splechter and Ted Westendorf.

(BRET BROSMAN SERVED AS 'ARBITER' FOR THE VINTAGE BASEBALL GAMES SUNDAY)

The rules governing the games were from circa 1860. That included no gloves for the players, one umpire...or "arbiter"...and help from the teams and even the crowd in making some of the calls during the games. Fielding a batted ball on one hop was an out...or the hand was dead, in vintage lingo.

Music was provided by The Victory Boys Quartet, Firebox, Whiskey Bend, Swamp Tigers and Superbad. 

(THERE WAS PLENTY OF FUN FOR KIDS AND ADULTS AT SUNDAY'S CELEBRATION)

Turnout was great for a car show, and there were various other activities for kids and adults. A balloon release began the festivities. The balloons had tags attached and the person who turns in the tag from the farthest distance will win a prize.