Strange Times in Baseball: 1845-1875

After sitting on my shelf for years, I finally decided to read the Baseball Chronology, a book with 660 pages of daily notes from 1845 to 1990. Let me tell you, the 1800s were a weird and bizarre time.

Below is the first segment of bizarre baseball news and notes, featuring the years 1845-1875:

April 24, 1849:

“The first baseball uniform is adopted at a meeting of the New York Knickerbocker Club. It consists of blue woolen pantaloons, a white flannel shirt, and a straw hat.”

This. This is what needs to be worn on throwback days.

May 13, 1857:

“A convention is held in Dedham, MA, attended by representatives of 10 New England baseball clubs. Under the name of ‘Massachusetts Association of Base Ball Players,’ playing rules are adopted to illustrate the differences between New England baseball and the ‘New York Game.’ Rule four: 2 bases shall be wooden stakes, 4 feet high. Rule 14: If a player is hit with a thrown ball while rounding the bases, he shall be considered out. Other rules specify 100 runs will constitute a game and each side shall consist of 10 to 14 players.”

Not to be insensitive, but that sounds terrible.

February 4, 1861:

“With the players wearing skates, the first baseball game played on ice in the New York area is played on Litchfield’s Pond in South Brooklyn. The champion Atlantics defeat the Charter Oak Club 36-27.”

I’m honestly shocked that Bud Selig hasn’t thought of doing this to drum up a little winter revenue. I’m also shocked that I think this would be the best thing I could ever watch.

October 14th, 1862:

“The Excelsiors defeat the Unions of Morrisania 13-9. Jim Creighton hits 4 doubles and scores 4 runs, but suffers ‘an internal injury occassioned by strain’ hitting a HR. Considered the premier player of the day, he dies of a ruptured bladder four days later at the age of 21.”

My face:

(Photo Via Wren’s Nest)

Creighton is also credited with one of the first triple plays, but man, what a way to go.

July 9, 1868

“John Hatfield throws a baseball a record 396 feet, breaking his own record of 349 feet.”

This is an example of something I would not enjoy watching.

July 23rd, 1870:

“Five thousand spectators jam Dexter Park in Chicago to see the White Stockings play the visiting Mutuals of New York. Mutuals P Ryne Wolters holds the White Stockings to 3 singles and no runs, winnin 9-0 for the first shutout in big-time baseball history. The New York Herald will use ‘Chicagoed” from now on to signify a shutout; the term survives until at least the late 1890s.”

Duly noted. Do not be shocked if I begin to use the term “Chicagoed” in my game recaps this season.

August 16, 1870:

“Fred Goldsmith, an 18-year-old pitcher invited by Henry Chadwick to demonstrate his curveball at the Capitoline Grounds in Brooklyn, succeeds before a large crowd. Chadwick observes: ‘That wich had up to this point been considered an optical illusion and against all rules of philosophy was now an established fact.’”

Yes, as late as 1870, the curveball was seen as “against all rules of philosophy.”

October 7, 1871:

“The Chicago Fire breaks out at 10 o’ clock in the evening. As the Rockford clubs travels toward Chicago the next day, they see the glow of the fire, turn around and return home.”

That’s one way to react to a disaster.

October 5, 1872:

“Baltimore scores 39 runs on 42 hits to the Atlantics’ 14 runs on 11 hits. The ball used was so hard and elastic it was dangerous to try and catch it. Scott Hastings, the Baltimore catcher, scores 6 times on 7 base hits.”

Looks like someone could use a humidor.

July 30, 1873:

“The Philadelphia Athletics play their first game in almost 3 weeks after spending a holiday at Cape May, NJ, to rest from the rigors of the season. They are roughly handled at Boston, with the Reds defeating them 24-10.”

Yeah, men were sooooo much tougher in the 1800s.

August 3, 1874:

“The American visitors play their first game of baseball in London at the Lord’s Cricket Grounds as Boston defeats the Athletics 24-7. In the morning, a cricket match between the Americans and the Maryleborne Club is started. At the completion of the match on the 4th, the Americans are victorious 107-105. The American ballplayers will play in 7 cricket matches and win all 7.”

‘MERICA! But wait…

“However, the Americans field 18 players while their opponents use 12.”

Oh. Nevermind.

September 11, 1875:

“The first baseball game played with women professionals takes place in Springfield, IL. The diamond is half-sized and a 9-foot high canvas surrounds the entire field. The uniforms are similar to the male version except the pants are shorter. Final score: ‘Blondes’ 42, ‘Brunettes’ 38.”

The spiritual precursor to the Lingerie Football League.

And here are a few team names, long since forgotten, that need to brought back to improve Major League Baseball: The Excelsiors, Bridegrooms, and the Alert Club. Are you going to tell me that a game between the Mets and the Alert Club doesn’t sound awesome? Or like the name of a great band?

More to come next week.