Let's take in an old ballgame in Geneva

Members of the Geneva Rovers vintage baseball team are hoping to "lay the willow on the onion" Saturday when they play the Midway Marauders of Rockford at 2 p.m. at Peck Farm Park in Geneva.

"It means to hit a home run," said Dave Oberg, a member of the team and executive director of the Geneva History Center, which is sponsoring the game.

The game will be played according to the rules of 1858, which guided many teams in the eastern part of the U.S. in the later years of the 19th century.

"It's a very different game," Oberg said.

He has been playing vintage baseball for seven years and founded the Midway Marauders several years ago when he worked in Rockford.

"The rules are different and the spirit of the game is different," Oberg said. "If you saw an outstanding play by a member of the opposing team, you were expected to cheer. It was a gentleman's game."

Oberg says the fans of the bygone era would cheer with shouts of "peach" and "that's the ginger."

The Geneva Rovers are looking for revenge, as they lost to the Marauders last year by a score of 6-4 in 11 innings. According to Oberg, it was a strong and valiant effort.

"The Marauders are one of the most formidable (vintage) teams in the state," Oberg explained.

The Rovers have been practicing for weeks, and this year Oberg enlisted the help of Antonio Bellino of the Downers Grove Ploughboys, another vintage team.

"He's brings a lot of expertise, our players have come together very well," Oberg says. "I think our chances are good."

The game will be played on Field 1 at the park at Peck and Kaneville roads. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Proceeds benefit the Geneva History Center. Spectators should bring blankets and lawn chairs.

The Rovers will also play in a tournament Aug. 3 at Midway Village Museum in Rockford.