The Deep River Grinders Base Ball club is a historical program of Lake County Parks & Rec It’s more than the sport that entices players to join the Grinders.
The Deep River Grinders have been playing base ball by the original rules of 1858 since they visited the Ohio Village Muffins in 1991. It’s the spirit of the game, the gentlemanly competition, and the friendly connection with their cranks. Routinely playing to a home audience of 200 or more spectators lining the sidelines and outfield, Grinder games are like a great big family reunion even for newcomers.
05/29/2026
Did you see that weather forecast?!
Sunday is shaping up to be a beautiful day for base ball, and we're excited to welcome everyone to Grinder Field as we take on our new friends, the Flossmoor Whistlestoppers!
First pitch is at 2:00 PM at Grinder Field in Deep River County Park. Bring the family, bring a lawn chair, and enjoy an afternoon of 1858-style base ball.
We can't wait to see you there!
Our Umpire and Captain joined LOCAL 219 to talk all things vintage base balll and the Deep River Grinders! Hear stories about the game, the history, and what makes the Grinders special. Check out the full interview below!
Be sure to follow LOCAL 219 and check out Umpire Gentleman Jim and our captain Ryan Trisler as they talk all things Deep River Grinders!
The full episode drops tomorrow at 5 PM. Don’t miss it!
05/19/2026
Today’s “honorary crank” of the game is 98 yr old WORLD WAR 2 veteran Walter Spuck USMC ! Welcome to the 2026 Grinders Season !
05/15/2026
We are excited to welcome you back to Grinder Field for the first time year! Our good friends, the Brewmasters from Blue Island will be joining us to play some ball. The game starts at 2:00 PM, see you there!
05/15/2026
At long last, it is finally spring. Everything is in bloom, and the air is filled with the songs of birds dancing across the sky. The poet E.E. Cummings once penned, “Spring is like a perhaps hand coming carefully out of nowhere.” After a long winter, this spring is especially welcome.
It isn’t just the birdsong you can hear along the banks of the Deep River. The Deep River Grinders are back at it; laughing, hitting the ball, and shaming each other once more. Grinder Field is coming back to life. “The Cradle of Midwest Vintage Base Ball” for me and nearly 200 cranks and players who cross the bridge on game days; that experience, the culmination of birdsong, the sounds of base ball, and the umpire shouting “Striker to the mark,” brings a smile that lasts all summer.
The Deep River Grinders aren’t just a vintage base ball team; it’s a community. For me, it means friends standing in the parking lot and talking for hours after practice or showing up in the toughest moments for those you shamed on Sunday. For others, it means a picnic with friends and family, some of whom you only see on game days in the summer. It means enjoying the play on the field while engaging in the decades-old debate: who is better, the White Sox or the Cubs, when the correct answer is always the Reds.
But this is Grinder Field, where we play a game we fell in love with as kids and, as adults, play with childlike joy. The game of base ball was played long before any of us were born and will be played long after we set the bat down.
This summer, as you cross the bridge, I encourage you all to take a step back, take a deep breath, and enjoy Grinder Field and all that makes this place special.
01/31/2026
We are very excited to share that this past week our very own Dave Stutler, known to many us as Tacker, was honored by the City of Hobart as Senior Citizen of the Year.
As many of you know, Dave has been a staple at Grinder Field for the last 30 years. But it’s his humble attitude and quiet service on the other side of the foul lines that truly earned this recognition.
Dave, you are truly a Grinder legend. Thank you for all that you do; we’re proud to call you one of our own.
City of Hobart hosts Honor & Achievement Awards 2026 On Wednesday, Jan. 26, the City of Hobart hosted its annual Honor and Achievement Awards. It took place at Wild Woods, A Gathering Place. The event is a celebration of the people who make Hobart an exceptional place to call home. It recognizes local individuals whose dedication, kindness, leadership...