July 13, 2026 – Baseball fans can celebrate Decatur’s rich baseball history during a special “Way Back Wednesday” event Wednesday evening at Millikin University’s Workman Field before the Decatur Bean Ballers take on Lafayette.
Hosted by History of the Heartland, activities begin when gates open at 5:30 p.m. The first 50 visitors to the organization’s table will receive a commemorative collector coin celebrating Millikin University’s 125th anniversary.
Decatur baseball legend Roe Skidmore is scheduled to greet fans and sign autographs, while local author Bret Robertson will be on hand to sign copies of his book, Founders, Champions, Cons and Thieves: Baseball Adventures in Decatur 1866–1900. The book explores the city’s earliest organized baseball teams and the six ballparks built in Decatur during the late 19th century.
The evening will also feature baseball trivia and between-inning interviews highlighting Decatur’s baseball heritage. Proceeds from book sales benefit History of the Heartland and its efforts to preserve local history.
