Joliet Slammers Bring Baseball to the Big House

Baseball at the big house, that will be the case when the Joliet Slammers play a game at the Old Joliet Prison.

The Joliet Area Historical Museum and the City of Joliet announced today that the Slammers will play an exhibition game behind the walls of the old prison in collaboration with the Route 66 Kickoff celebration. The game will be called “The Big House Ballgame.”

“‘The Big House Ballgame’ is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to celebrate Joliet’s unique history while connecting it to the broader story of Route 66,” said Greg Peerbolte, CEO of the Joliet Area Historical Museum. “We’re eager to welcome Slammers fans and history buffs alike to the prison yard’s diamond, offering visitors a chance to experience both America’s pastime and our city’s remarkable heritage in a single, unforgettable event.”

Baseball had been played inside the walls of the old prison, which dates back to 1914. Organized games were first introduced at the prison by Warden Edmun Allen to boost morale among inmates and encourage good behavior. Prisoners would form teams and play against outside teams and other prison ball clubs. The games continued on the grounds until the prison’s closure in 2002.

Tickets have not gone on sale, nor has information on the field's seating capacity been provided. Fans interested can visit the Joliet Slammers website and sign up for the waitlist.

Joliet will be among a select group of cities celebrating centennial festivals for the famed highway, along with Santa Monica, CA, Albuquerque, NM, Amarillo, Texas, Springfield, and St. Louis, MO. 

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Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com