Civil War-era baseball in Grayslake:

Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum will stage a Civil War era baseball game at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17. The free game will be at the Grayslake Aquatic Center softball field at Central Park, pitting the Grayslake Athletics against the McHenry County Independents. The Athletics played a close away game against the Independents in June, winning in the ninth inning, so it’s expected to be a spirited contest. This type of baseball, or “base ball” as it was then called, hearkens back to the earliest years of the sport with wildly different rules. Heritage Center Executive Director Dave Oberg will umpire and act as master of ceremonies, explaining the rules and teaching the audience to cheer and jeer in proper 19th century fashion. Fans are encouraged to dress in 19th-century costume. For more information, contact Oberg at doberg@villageofgrayslake.com or (847) 543-1745.