For your right to be curious.

Donate

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

Join the NPR Illinois team!

Community Voices is seeking a co-host/editor to join Jeff Williams and Randy Eccles in getting to know our neighbors and more. Apply by May 25, 5 p.m.

The news department is seeking part-time fill-in anchor/reporters who are available either weekdays from 5:30 to 9 a.m. and/or 3:30 to 6 p.m. Apply by June 5, 5 p.m.

Arts & Life / Community Voices

Baseball's Influence on the development of Springfield still evident today

NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS | By Randy Eccles

Published January 24, 2024 at 12:00 PM CST

Late 1800s baseball team photo — *Ballists, Dead Beats and Muffins — Inside Early Baseball in Illinois* by Robert D. Sampson

Historian and author, Dr. Robert D. Sampson, discusses early baseball in Illinois. The epidemic growth immediately follows the Civil War, where local teams and civic ambition went hand in hand, and the game mirrored many of society’s ills. Sampson is the author of Ballists, Dead Beats, and Muffins — Inside Early Baseball in Illinois.