Early Philadelphia Ballplaying

Last Updated March 11, 2010

Early Philadelphia Area Ballplaying:

A Working Chronology

Note: This list was derived from version 11 of the full Protoball Chronology, which was uploaded in April 2010. Additional relevant entries may have been added to any later versions of the full Chronology; not all entries on this subchronology are necessarily identical to those on the most recently updated full Chronology. Readers are encouraged to suggest or perform updates. Please send notes about omissions, mistakes, typos, etc, to lmccray@mit.edu.

This list excludes a number of short books published in Philadelphia that may or may not have reflected ballplaying in the city.

---

1784.1 – UPenn Bans Ball Playing Near Open University Windows

RULES for the Good Government and Discipline of the SCHOOL in the UNIVERSITY of PENNSYLVANIA [Francis Bailey, Philadelphia PA, 1784]. Per Altherr ref # 41.

1820s.10 – Philadelphians Play Ball, But Only Over in Camden NJ

A group of Philadelphians who will eventually organize as the Olympic Ball Club begin playing town ball in Philadelphia, PA, but are prohibited from doing so within the city limits by ordinances dating to Puritan times. A site in Camden, New Jersey is used to avoid breaking the laws in Philadelphia. Note: this item needs to be confirmed or dropped

1822.3 -- Cricket Clubs, “Other Ball Clubs” Welcomed at Philadelphia PA Facility

In an advertisement about an outdoor recreation establishment run by John Carter Jr. on the western bank of the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia PA is included the sentence “Gentlemen are informed that the grounds are so disposed as to afford sufficient room and accommodation for quoit and cricket and other ball clubs.” It doesn’t say what these “other ball clubs” are playing. Saturday Evening Post, June 22, 1822, Vol. 1, Issue 47, page 003. Submitted by Bill Wagner 1/24/2007.

1822.4 – Trap Ball Advertised at Inn

“TRAP BALL. This entertaining game and pleasing exercise may be enjoyed every Monday afternoon, at the Traveller’s Rest, in Broad Street, between Chestnut and Walnut. Traps, Bats, and Balls may be had for select parties or promiscuous companies at any time. Refreshments of the first quality at the Bar.”

Saturday Evening Post [running ad, summer 1822]. Provided by Richard Hershberger, email of June 26, 2007. The location is Philadelphia PA.

1829.5 – Town Ball Takes Off in Philadelphia

“Town ball was pioneered in Philadelphia in the late 1820s by a group of young rope makers who were first heard from in 1829, while playing at 18^th and Race Streets.”

William Ryczek, Baseball’s First Inning (McFarland, 2009), page 114. Ryczek cites a 2006 email from Richard Hershberger as the source of the location of the game. In 1831 two organized groups, which later merged, played town ball: for a succinct history of the origins of Philadelphia town ball, see Richard Hershberger, “A Reconstruction of Philadelphia Town Ball,” Base Ball, volume 1 number 2 (Fall 2007), pp 28-29.

1830.18 –At PA Ballfield, Man Asks English Question, Receives American Answer

“I have spent an hour in a beautiful grove in this borough [West Chester PA] witnessing the sports of its denizens. All attorneys, editors, physicians, were engaged in playing ball, while the Judge of the County was seated calmly by, preserving an account of the game! I asked a very respectable gentleman to whom I had been introduced, who were the principal men in the town present; and he answered, that there were no principal men in the town --all were equalized, or attained no superiority save that of exertions fro the public weal . . .”Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg PA; August 10, 1830), page 7, as taken from the Philadelphia Inquirer. Posted to 19CBB in October 2008 by John Thorn.

1830s.24 – Union Cricket Club Gains Strength in Philadelphia

“No city took to the sport [cricket] with more avidity than Philadelphia where the game had been played since the 1830s by the Union Club”

William Ryczek, Baseball’s First Inning, McFarland, 2009), page 105. No source is cited. Ryczek goes on to say that Englishmen who moved to work in the city’s wool industry were one root cause of cricket’s success there.

1831.1 – Ball Club Forms in Philadelphia

The Olympic Ball Club of Philadelphia unites with a group of ball players based in Camden, NJ

Orem says, without citing a source, that “On the first day but four players appeared, so the game was “Cat Ball,” called in some parts of New England at the time “Two Old Cat.” [Orem, Preston D., Baseball (1845-1881)From the Newspaper Accounts (self-published, Altadena CA, 1961), page 4.]

Constitution of the Olympic Ball Club of Philadelphia [private printing, 1838]. Parts reprinted in Dean A. Sullivan, Compiler and Editor, Early Innings: A Documentary History of Baseball, 1825-1908 [University of Nebraska Press, 1995], pp. 5-8. Note: Is it accurate to call this a “town ball” club? Sullivan dates it to 1837, while J. M. Ward [Ward’s Base Ball Book, page 18] sets 1831 as the date of formation. The constitution was revised in 1837, but the Olympic Club merged with the Camden Town ball Club in 1833, and that event is regarded as the formation date of the Olympics. The story of the Olympics is covered in “Sporting Gossip,” by “the Critic” in an unidentified photocopy found at the Giamatti Research Center at the HOF. What appears to be a continuation of this article is also at the HOF. It is “Evolution of Baseball from 1833 Up to the Present Time,” by Horace S. Fogel, and appeared in The Philadelphia Daily Evening Telegraph, March 22-23, 1908.

1832.1 – Union Cricket Club of Philadelphia Forms

Per John Thorn, 6/15/04: Source is Chadwick Scrapbooks, Volume 20. Note: According to Seymour note, J. M. Ward’s Baseball [p. 18] sets a date of 1831 for the beginning of regular club play in Philadelphia.]

1833c.12 – America’s First Interclub Ballgame, in Philadelphia

In Philadelphia PA, the Olympic Club and an unnamed club merged in 1833, but only after they had, apparently, played some games against one another. “Since . . . there weren’t any other ball clubs, either formal or informal, anywhere else until at least 1842, this anonymous context would have to stand as the first ball game between two separate, organized club teams anywhere in the United States.”

John Shiffert, Base Ball in Philadelphia (McFarland, 2006), page 17. The game was a form of town ball.

1834.5 -- Cricket Play Begins at Haverford College

“The first cricket club of entirely native-born American youth was founded at Haverford College in PA. In a manuscript diary kept by an unknown student during the first two years of the existence of the college, under the date of 1834, occurs this entry: ‘About this time a new game was introduced among the students called Cricket. The school was divided into several clubs or associations, each of which was provided with the necessary instruments for playing the game.’”

John A. Lester, ed., , A Century of Philadelphia Cricket [UPenn Press, Philadelphia, 1951], page 11. Lester does not provide a source.

1837.6 -- Constitution Written for Olympic Ball Club of Philadelphia PA

This constitution is reprinted in Dean A. Sullivan, Compiler and Editor, Early Innings: A Documentary History of Baseball, 1825 – 1908 [University of Nebraska Press, 1995], pp. 5-8. The rules do not shed light on the nature of the game played. Membership was restricted to those above the age of twenty-one. One day per month was set for practice [“Club” day”. Note: Sullivan dates the constitution at 1837, but notes that it was printed in 1838. See Constitution of the Olympic Ball Club of Philadelphia [Philadelphia, John Clark], per David Block, Baseball Before We Knew It, page 223.

1838.11 – On a Day Trip to Camden NJ, Philly Man Documents Olympic Club

“Messrs Editors – Feeling desirous the other day of breathing air somewhat purer [than Philadelphia PA’s, I took the ferry to Camden]. I took up a stroll into the bordering woods; it being a lovely day, all nature seemed to be in vegetation. A small distance from the woods, I beheld a party of young men (the majority of whom I afterwards distinguished to be Market street merchants) and who styled themselves the “Olympic Club,” a title well answering to its name by the manner in which the party amused itself in the recreant pleasure of town ball, and several other games. In my estimation, there is much benefit to be derived from a club of this nature. Young men who are confined to the daily toils of business, and who can get away . . . should avail themselves of the opportunity to become associated with the “Olympic Club.” Signed, H.M.O.

Public Ledger (Philadelphia PA) May 14, 1838. Posted by Richard Hershberger to the 19CBB listserve, April 1, 2009. Subscription search. Richard notes that this becomes the earliest Philly ref to town ball, and pushes back from 1858 the earliest contemporary account of the Olympics. 1838 is also the reported date of the Club’s constitution.

1840c.3 – Influx of English Immigrants Brings “Rough Form” of Cricket to NE and Philadelphia PA?

Per Rader, p. 90; [no citation given.] Caveat: recent research does not support this assertion. Caution: the evidence for this needs to be obtained.

1841.8 -- Philadelphia Cricket Club Issues Challenge for Matches at $50 to $100

“The Philadelphia Ledger for November 1, 1841, carried an advertisement from the Wakefield Mills Cricket Club challenging ‘the best eleven in the city to play two home-and-home games for from $50 to $100.’”

John Lester, A Century of Philadelphia Cricket [UPenn Press, Philadelphia PA, 1951], page 15.

1842c.7 -- Cricket and Town Ball Recalled in Philadelphia PA

“The first cricket I ever saw was on a field near Logan Station . . . about 1842. The hosiery weavers at Wakefield Mills [cf #1841.8 above] near by had formed a club under the leadership of Lindley Fisher, a Haverford cricketer. . . . [My brother and I] had played Town Ball, the forerunner of baseball today, at Germantown Academy, and our handling of the ball a=was appreciated by the Englishmen.

John Lester, A Century of Philadelphia Cricket [UPenn Press, Philadelphia, 1951], page 9. Lester does not provide a source here, but his bibliography lists: Wister, William Rotch, Some Reminiscences of Cricket I Philadelphia Before 1861 [Allen, Philadelphia, 1904].

1842.9 – Haverford Students Form Cricket Team of Americans

“Haverford College [Haverford PA] students, however, played cricket with English hosiery weavers prior to 1942, the year the students formed the first all-American team.”

Lester, John A., A Century of Philadelphia Cricket (U of Penn Press, Philadelphia, 1951), pages 9-11; as cited in Gelber, Steven M., “’Their Hands Are All Out Playing:’ Business and Amateur Baseball, 1845-1917,” Journal of Sport History, Vol. 11, number 1 (Spring 1984), page 15. Note: is Lester saying this is the first Haverford all-native team, first US all-native team, or what?

1843.2 -- NY’s Washington Club:” Playing Base Ball Before the Knickerbockers Did?

“The honors for the place of birth of baseball are divided. Philadelphia claims that her ‘town ball’ was practically baseball and that it was played by the Olympic Club from 1833 to 1859. It is also claimed that the Washington Club in 1843 was the first to play the game. Certainly the New York Knickerbocker Club, founded in 1845, was the first to establish a code of rules.”

Reeve, Arthur B., Beginnings of Our Great Games, Outing Magazine, April 1910, page 49, per John Thorn, 19CBB posting, 6/17/05. Reeve evidently does not provide a source for the Washington Club claim . . . nor his assertion that it had no “code of rules.” John notes that Outing appeared from 1906 to 1911. Note: It would be good to have evidence on whether this club played the New York game or another variation of early base ball.

1843.8 – Man Flashes Large Wad at New York-Philly Cricket Match, Is Then Nabbed for Robbery

“Important Arrest: A few days since, at the last match game of cricket played near New York, between the New York and Philadelphia competitors for a large sum of money, a person, whose name is William Rushton, from Philadelphia, was present, making large offers to bet upon the result of the game, and exhibiting large sums of money to the spectators for that purpose.” This excess evidently led to his later arrest for the robbery of a bank porter on the Brooklyn ferry early in 1843.

“Important Arrest,” The Sun [New York? Philadelphia?], August 12, 1843. Accessed via subscription search May 5, 2009.

1845.17 – Intercity Cricket Match Begins in NY

“CRICKET MATCH. St. George’s Club of this city against the Union Club of Philadelphia. The two first elevens of these clubs came together yesterday for a friendly match, on the ground of the St. George’s Club, Bloomingdale Road. The result was as follows, on the first innings: St. George’s 44, Union Club of Philadelphia 33 [or 63 or 83; image is indistinct]. Play will be resumed to-day.”

New York Herald, October 7, 1845. Provided by John Thorn, email, 10/12/2007

1847.8 – Soldier Recalls Town-ball

“I often think of you and the many pleasant and happy hours I passed at the old Hoffman school house, pelting each other with snow-balls and playing town-ball. [but the balls a soldier plies] are dangerous, and when they strike they leave more painful marks than the ones you used to pitch or throw at me when running to base . . . “

Oswandel, J. Jacob, “Notes of the Mexican War, 1846-1847-1848,” (Philadelphia, 1885), page unspecified. Provided by Richard Hershberger, emails of 2/5/2007 and 1/30/2008. Richard notes that Oswandel’s home town was Lewistown PA, and 60 miles northwest of Philly.

1848.8 -- Cricket Flourishes at Haverford College PA

“The College was closed in 1845. When it reopened in 1848, cricket sprang up again under the leadership of an English tutor in Dr. Lyons’ school nearby. Two cricket clubs, the Delian and the Lycaean, were formed, and then a third the Dorian.”

John Lester, A Century of Philadelphia Cricket [UPenn Press, Philadelphia, 1951], page 11. Lester does not provide a source.

1850s.3 – Cricket Club in Philadelphia, “Young America CC,” Started for US-Born Only

John Lester, ed., A Century of Cricket in Philadelphia [University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia 1951], page 23.

1857.29 – Six-Player Town-ball Teams Play for Gold in Philly

“TOWN BALL. – The young men of Philadelphia are determined to keep the ball rolling . . . On Friday, 20^th ult. [10/20/1857 we think] the United Stats Club met on their grounds, corner of 61^st and Hazel streets . . . each individual did his utmost to gain the prize, at handsome gold ring, which was eventually awarded to Mr. T. W. Taylor, his score of 26 being the highest.” Each team had six players, and the team Taylor played on won, 117 to 82. New York Clipper (November [as handwritten in clipping collection; no date is given] 1857). Facsimile provided by Craig Waff, September 2008.

1859.10 – Philadelphia Man Interested in Forming MA Game Club

“We have already several clubs in the neighborhood who I presume play the same game as the New York clubs, which the New York Tribune call a “baby game” if as the article in the Tribune to-day indicates your Massachusetts game is the best we shall be glad to introduce it here.”

Letter from William Stokes, Philadelphia to Geo H. Stoddard, Pres., Excelsior Ball Club, Upton Mass, October 18, 1859. From the Mills Commission files at the HOF Giamatti Center.

1859.20 -- Two More BB Clubs Issue Rules

David Block, Baseball Before We Knew It, page 224, lists new rules in 1859 for the Harlem BB Club in NY and the Mercantile BB Club in Philadelphia.

1859.38 – Base Ball Played in Philadelphia PA

Not everyone in Philly played town ball. “PENN TIGERS BASE BALL CLUB. – The Two Nines of this club played their first match on Monday, 13^th inst, at Philadelphia, Boyce’s party beating Broadhead’s by only one run, the totals being 24 and 23.” Unidentified clipping in the Mears collection; by context it may have appeared in late spring of 1859. Facsimile provided by Craig Waff, September 2008.

1860.13 – Town Ball Hangs on in Philadelphia

The New York Clipper of August 11, 1860, page 132, carries accounts of two July town ball games in Philadelphia PA, [1] one involving the Olympics and [2] another involving two second-team elevens. Richard Hershberger comments: “This is interesting on several counts. This is firm evidence that that the Olympics did not completely give up town ball the previous May [1860], as is usually reported. It also shows that not only were there at least two other clubs playing town ball, but that there was enough interest for them to field second teams.” Richard Hershberger posting to 19CBB, 1/31/2008.

1860.16 -- Mercantile BB Club of Philadelphia Subject to Light Poetry

Owed 2 Base Ball in Three Can’t-Oh’s! (McLaughlin Bros, Philadelphia, 1860) per David Block, Baseball Before We Knew It, page 222. Perhaps written for the club’s Christmas banquet, this humorous verse mentions each of the clubs starting players.

1862.5 – Brooklynites and Philadelphians Play Series of Games

Various assortments of leading players from Brooklyn and Philadelphia vied in both cities in 1862. Philadelphia sent an all-star assortment north in June, where it lost to select nines in Brooklyn’s eastern and western districts, but beat an aggregation of Hoboken players. Two select Brooklyn nines headed south and played two all-Philly sides in early July.

In October, the Eckfords traveled to Philadelphia for a week of play against individual local clubs, and on October 21 played an “amalgamated nine” of locals, winning 39-8.

Sources: various, including overviews at “Philadelphia vs. Brooklyn,” Wilkes Spirit, July 12, 1862, and “Base Ball Match,” Philadelphia Inquirer, October 22, 1862. Thanks for facsimiles from John Maurath, January 18, 2008, and Gregory Christiano, December 22, 2009.

1862.10 – PA Base Ball Moves Beyond Philadelphia

“Base Ball Match. Harrisburg, August 21. – The first match game of base ball ever play in Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia, cam off here yesterday, between the Mountain Club of Altoona, and the Keystone Club of Harrisburg. It resulted in a victory for the latter.”

Philadelphia Inquirer, August 22, 1862. Accessed 5/20/2009 via subscription search. Harrisburg PA is in central PA, about 90 miles W of Philadelphia. Query: There were no prior games in Alleghany, later to become Pittsburg?

Back to the Protoball Home Page

Back to the Full Protoball Chronology