Old Joliet Prison hosting Slammers baseball game to celebrate Route 66 centennial
JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) -- Bill Murray is bringing the laughs and the baseball to the Old Joliet prison Thursday.
The Joliet Slammers will play in the "Big House Ballgame" Thursday afternoon as part of the Route 66 celebration.
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Inmates used to play on the field up until the facility closed in 2002 and now the Joliet Slammers will take on the Gateway Grizzlies.
It's a prison with an historic past now celebrating America's past time on the centennial of Route 66.
"Before the prison closed, they had a long history of prison baseball teams that would play other prisons," Joliet Slammers coach Ron Biga said. "I've seen plenty of pictures and we're going to be wearing replica uniforms today so it will be really fun."
Coach Biga wants the team to take it in as history is made on prison grounds.
"For the players, it's going to be fun," Biga said. "Overall, for the community, businesses, the people around here are so proud of the things out here, they're really going to enjoy it. Obviously, they've sold so many tickets so fast."
Co-owner of the Joliet minor league team and avid Chicago sports fan Bill Murray is on hand for the special day.
"I think it's just gonna be fun," Murray said. "I think it's really gonna be silly fun and the fences are kind of short. It's a small baseball park. They can only make it so big. There's gonna be some home runs. They are going to be flying over the cell block over there and make it over that fence there. That's pretty far hitting that tower there, but I can take it out left."
The famed comedian lent a hand to the grounds crew ahead of the Route 66 Centennial kickoff game.
"It's almost the weekend kids, good day to call in sick for tomorrow," Murray said. "What's the weather forecast ...definitely a good day to call in sick."
First pitch is at 3:05 p.m.
There are pregame festivities with blues performances and food trucks.
