The Portage Parks & Recreation Department and the Iron Diamonds Base Ball Club Nine welcome the public to come out and enjoy a free afternoon of vintage base ball (spelled two words back in the day) in Porter County. Park and club personnel are excited to bring a unique brand of living history in the form of America's past time as the Iron Diamonds will begin their third season in 2009.
The Iron Diamonds, though based in Portage, are comprised of history and baseball lovers from throughout Northwest Indiana (and Chicago). The team is made up of steelworkers, small business owners, retirees, students, salesmen, computer technicians, investigators, railroaders and newspaper writers. These gentlemen (of all ages) hail from Portage, Valparaiso, Hobart, Kouts, Demotte, South Haven, Crown Point and downtown Chicago. The men enjoy the friendly competition that vintage baseball offers as well as presenting the sport in its purest form when it was created as a social gathering and a form of exercise.
The Iron Diamonds travel throughout the Midwest to face adversaries of other vintage ball clubs who, in turn, visit Portage and Porter County when they match up against the hometown club. Most of the Iron Diamonds' home games are played on Willow Creek Field on the west side of Woodland Park in Portage.
THE IRON DIAMONDS NAME
The team name is derived from a handful of historical references that are unique to Northwest Indiana and Porter County. IRON refers to 1) the early railroad tracks constructed in the region in the mid and late 1800s, 2) the area's steel making industry and 3) is in respect to the Hoosiers that served in the 19th Regiment Indiana Volunteers that were a strategic part of the renowned Iron Brigade that fought so gallantly during the Civil War. DIAMOND refers to 1) the railroad term where two main rail lines intersect (forming a diamond shape between the rails) and 2) the playing field on which the game is played.
BASE BALL HISTORY
The concept of playing vintage base ball in modern times has been one of growing popularity since 1981 when the Ohio Village Muffins Base Ball Club was formed as a division of the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus, Ohio. The Muffins adopted the rules, uniforms, equipment and gentlemanly behavior of the mid 19th century. Their findings were based on the style of play created by the New York Knickerbockers - a team that was organized in 1845.
The Knickerbockers played in what is regarded as the first base ball match between two clubs when they met with another club - the New York Nine - on the Elysian Fields in Hoboken, New Jersey on June 19, 1846. From those beginnings, base ball spread like wildfire in its popularity (particularly after the Civil War). Today, there are approximately 200 vintage clubs throughout the United States and Canada, many of which are a continuation of actual clubs that existed in communities during the 19th century.
In its early days, base ball was less of a competitive venture and more of a social event. It was a time whereas players and spectators cheered good plays by both teams. A player hitting the ball and reaching base was often greeted by the opposing base tender with a handshake and a 
sincere congratulations for "striking the ball well." It was a time when it was not uncommon for the sole umpire to ask fans for assistance in making the correct call on a play on the field. Should a player say or do anything that may offend a spectator, the umpire can direct the player to pay a fine on the spot or apologize to the fan (or both!). It was a time when group sports was in its youth and made for a simpler, gentler and more enjoyable atmosphere.
So! Pack a picnic lunch and bring the family out to cheer on the home team! All games are free and make for an ideal venue to learn about the game as it was truly meant to be played. If interested in becoming a member of the Iron Diamonds (either as a player, umpire or a tally keeper) or if you would like a vintage baseball/history presentation at your school/church/civic event/etc., please call the team captain at 219-741-1269. The up-coming season schedule will be available at the offices of the Portage Parks & Recreation Department during the early Spring months.
Department Home