Introducing the Chicago Snowballs and Brian Kent

A few months ago, Brian Kent, catcher on the Chicago Snowballs, invited me out to a game. Due to scheduling and rain, it took a while, but Tony and I finally made it to a game a couple weeks ago.

The Snowballs are similar to the Savannah Bananas. They are baseball and entertainment and they do both very well.

Despite a rainy week and even morning of the game, it cleared up nicely and turned into a beautiful night. As we arrived 30 minutes before the gates of Slammers Stadium (home of the Joliet Slammers) opened and two hours before the game, we saw a long line already waiting to enter.

Upon entering the stadium, we saw several players greeting fans. I asked one about finding Brian, figuring it was a longshot in all of the stuff happening. I was wrong. I went to the dugout area as directed and asked for him. Several players knew me and got Brian. I was very impressed. We talked to Brian for a bit, but didn't want to take him away from his activities for too long.

Several minutes before the game, the onfield announcer gave some game rules and other information. There were a couple routines, as well. Then play started.

The game featured such novelties as backwards baseball (rounding the bases clockwise), dodgeball (forcing the defense to hit the runner after he hits the ball), walk sprints (the batter can sprint around the bases on a walk if he isn't tagged out) and several other bits. At one point, two women from the Rocket Squirrels (the opposition) batted at the same time. That made sense, since both played right field. All the while, defenders made trick plays while catching the ball.

There are too many other quirks, bits and other things to list all. The announcer helps with understanding all, but really, my advice is to just sit back and enjoy the fun. That's exactly what we did.

My full recap was on Global Traveler. For more info, go to chicagosnowballs.com.

Tony, Briand Kent and me in Joliet, IL-August 2026.