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The base ball match that took place on Saturday last, between the “Hunkidories” of Joliet and the “Sleepers” of Lockport, proved to be somewhat of an exciting game.  At the beginning of the game the Sleepers were actually sleepy, and didn’t do very well, giving the Hunkidoris fourteen to start on; that woke up the Sleepers, and they succeeded in whitewashing the Joliets four time is succession; this left the scores: “Hunkidoris” 43, “Sleepers” 29.  There was some malice shown in regard to bats, (on part of the Joliet boys,) but it was laid to the “Snapp”-ishness of the captain.
              -Wednesday, May 13, 1874, Will County Courier, p. 1

Last Thursday the “Peotone Star” base ball club played a match game with the “Prairie Nine;” the score was 8 to 3.
              -Wednesday, May 13, 1874, Will County Courier, p. 8

The Clippers and Sleepers of Lockport played a game of ball on Friday, of last week.  Clippers came out victorious by a score of 54 to 33.
              -Wednesday, June 3, 1874 , Will County Courier, p. 1

We hear that some of the “Peotone Stars” went out to Wilton Center last Saturday, and, while there, played a scrub game with the “Granger Nine.”  Next Saturday they are to come over and take the ball from our boys.  We hope the “Stars” will practice, so as to be able to give them a harder rub than they expect.”
            -Wednesday, June 3, 1874, Will County Courier, p. 5

A match game of base ball took place on Saturday last, between the “Clippers” and a picked nine of “Sleepers” and prairie boys.  The game stood 12 to 10 in favor of the “Clippers.”  They still hold the championship of Lockport.
            -Wednesday, June 17, 1874, Will County Courier, p. 1

Base ball grows fiercer every week.
            -Wednesday, July 1, 1874, Will County Courier, p. 1

BASE BALL

The Sleepers and Reapers

            The match game of base ball between the “Reapers” of South Lemont, and the “Sleepers” of Lockport, played in the open field opposite Ryan’s grove last Saturday afternoon, July 15th, proved quite an interesting affair.  Arriving on the ground as the third inning was being played, we beheld the “Sleepers” at the bat, while their competitors were in the field struggling hard in sweat, shirtsleeves and stocking-feet to catch them out; while Frak Wells Esq., former captain and still a member fo the “Reapers,” with a broken finger, was umpiring – Frank Rowley Esq., having taken his place in the game.  Some very good fielding was done by Mr. Derby, of the “Reapers” who, by the way, could be more easily distinguished  by that read and blue cap, but their substitute Rowley, on second base, did poorly, having had no practice for over a year; bu the surprised us once in catching a fly “red hot from bat.”  Some good fielding was also done on the same side by Messrs. Dowse and Harris.  Some good batting was done on the same side by Messrs. Curtis and O’Brien, making each a home run.

         The game was called at 2:45 p. m., closing at half past five.  Geo. Dowse as scorer for Sleepers, H. Martin for the Reapers.  Thanks to Mr. Martin for the score.

            -Wednesday, August 19, 1874, Will County Courier , p. 1

The “Sleepers” play an amateur nine this afternoon.
            -Wednesday, August 19, 1874, Will County Courier, p. 1

Our base ballists are not very christian-like in the observation of the Sabbath; the Clippers played an amateur nine, last Sunday, with a score of 28 to 21 against the Clippers.
            -Wednesday, August 26, 1874, Will County Courier, p. 1

There’s to be a match game between the Clippers and Sleepers on Thursday at 2 p.m., on Sleepers ground.  This game is to insure the championship of Lockport
            -Wednesday, August 26, 1874, Will County Courier, p. 1

BASE BALL

SLEEPERS VS. CLIPPERS

            One Thursday afternoon, of last week, the championship game between the Sleepers and Clippers, was played on the Sleeper’s grounds.  These grounds are not an honor to any nine; they are very uneven and have been seeded down with thistles; this is unpleasant for the fielders, as they are obliged to go bare-foot in order to keep their walkers under them.   Both nines done well.  At about three o’clock the trouble commenced, with Sleepers at the bat, they made a short play, making but three runs.  The Clippers were ushered to the bat, but were soon sent to the field with naught.  The fielding on either side was an honor to both nines, but Dowse doing a little the best, while Curtis did all that could be done, as the field was rough.  Clippers fielding not as good, but Ireson and Begley made two or three good plays.  Wild throwing on both sides made the game almost unworthy of notice.  Several outsiders had a little too much to say at the last inning, but all in fun.

            After about three hours of hard playing, the score stood as follows

            -Wednesday, September 2, 1874, Will County Courier, p. 4

SLEEPERS VS. STARS

Another game of ball was played Tuesday afternoon, between a picked nine, calling themselves the “Stars” or “Dirty Shirts,” who scooped up the champions, known as the Sleepers, to the tune of 14 to 35 in favor of the Stars.
           -Wednesday, September 2, 1874, Will County Courier, p. 4

The Experts base ball club of this place played their first match game of the season last Monday afternoon on their grounds west of the River.  Their opponents wee the Actives of DuPage, a club nine healthy tillers of the soil, who are just as good-natured and gentlemanly in their actions as they are sun burnt in their looks.  The game proved to be the most scientific and closely contested of any ever played in Will County.  The Experts are the victors at 3 to 2, receiving asa  prize a beautiful bouquet of flowers donated by Misses Ella Backus, Emma Geddes, Jennie Cameron, Katie and Lydia Owens, and Mrs. William Dowse.
            -May 29, 1878, The Lockport Standard