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E
<p>"Baseball" was named in a news story as possibly contributing to a young woman's death in the town of Hessle, East Yorkshire. Appearing under the heading "Playing at Base Ball" was the following: "The tragic death of Edith Eliza Fennellow (21), 9, John-street, Hull, at the Cliff, Humber-side, Hessle, on Saturday, formed the subject of an inquiry at the Admiral Hawke Hotel, Hessle, on Monday. She had gone for a stroll, and was playing baseball when she fell and expired. Dr. S. H. Johnson testified that death was due to syncope, and a verdict of 'Natural causes' was returned."</p> +
<p>"Baseball" was played at the annual treat for the students of Middleton Church Sunday School in the small village of Middleton, Suffolk: "The scholars and their parents had tea on the lawn, the choir and congregation in the Rectory dining room. After tea cricket, baseball, racing, &c., were indulged in until dusk, when the Rector gave each child a present..."</p> +
<p>"Baseball" was played by members of the Liverpool Association of Science and Art at their first meeting of the summer season which was devoted to an outing in the countryside near Birkenhead: "After returning from a ramble along the Dee side a very substantial repast was provided. An adjournment to the lawn followed, where several games of old English sport rapidly and cheerily succeeded each other, the ladies proving the victors in the game of baseball..."</p> +
<p>"Bass ball" was one of the games played at an afternoon's outing of Sunday school teachers and other friends of the Reading (Berkshire) Sunday School Union: "About 200 assembled during the afternoon, and after taking part in games of cricket, archery, bass ball, throwing the hammer, &c., they were well prepared for the tea which they had bountifully provided for their refreshment."</p> +
<p>"Bass ball" was played at an outing of the choir, teachers, district visitors and other church workers of St. Mary's Parish Church in Chesham, Buckinghamshire. Following a cricket match, and games of tug of war, "the remainder of the day was devoted to bass ball, croquet, thread the needle and other games, til the shades of evening fell."</p> +
"
<p>"Baste Balling" was listed in a newspaper notice as one of the diversions to be offered at the annual celebration of Whitsuntide in the village of Knowl Hill in Berkshire: "Whitsuntide Amusements...There will be a Cricket Match, at the Seven Stars, Knowl Hill, on Whit-Tuesday; wickets to be pitched at eleven o'clock.--Donkey Racing, Baste Balling for Ribbons, and a great variety of other amusements."</p> +
E
<p>"Baste ball" was identified as one of the games played at the Boxford National School fete in Boxford, Suffolk: "After the repast the party engaged in various sports, consisting of cricket, baste ball, dancing, &c."</p> +
<p>"Baste ball" was played at another annual treat of the Church Sunday School, presumably of Easton, who this year joined with the "Sir R. Hitcham's Scholars of Framlingham and Saxtead." A newspaper reported that: "The Saxtead scholars, between 40 and 50 in number, were conveyed in waggons (sic) to Framlingham, and the united schools mustered to the number of about 250 on the Rectory Grounds at 2 o'clock, when the boys dispersed for cricket and racing, and the girls for kissing in the ring; baste ball, &c."</p> +
<p>"Basteball" was listed as one of the games played at the annual treat of the Church Day and Sunday Schools of Easton, Suffolk (near Framlingham): "Having mustered, they marched in procession to The Rookery, the residence of Rev. W.W. Wood, the rector, where they passed the time in various games, such as racing, jumping, basteball, &c., the winners being presented with appropriate toys as prizes."</p> +
<p>“Base ball” was again to be featured at the annual rural fête staged by the Uxbridge Muitual Improvement Society of West London. A local newspaper reported that “bands will parade the streets, and march in procession to the grounds, where Aunt Sally, bat and trap, base ball, archery, quoits, and other pastimes will be provided and a quadrille band has been specially engaged to enhance the pleasures of the dance.”</p> +
O
<p>“Base-ball,” as an outdoor means of recreation for girls, was praised by an English churchwarden in a manuscript history of the Oxfordshire village of Watlington. The writer, John Badcock, made his point despite having it almost swallowed within an unusually convoluted sentence: “It is contrary to reason and common sense to expect that the most sober-minded, if wholly restrained from a game of cricket, or some other amusement--& the other sex from base-ball, or some recreation peculiar to themselves, & exclusively their own, would fill up every leisure hour of a fine summer's evening better, or perhaps so well, in any other way.” Mr. Badcock went on to argue that the lord of the manor, or some other landowner, should take a section of otherwise unusable land and create appropriate playing fields for boys and girls.</p> +
M
<p>“Bass-ball” is mentioned in a four-volume novel concerning the comings, goings and doings of various high-born society types. In one scene a married couple, who have been having an argument while traveling in their coach, approach a stately house, the husband's boyhood home. The wife is sullen and grumpy, but her husband is excited because he has not been there in a long while: “'Is this the house?' said she, determined not to be pleased with any thing. 'Yes: look, Cary—there's where I have played trap-ball and bass-ball many a time.'”</p> +
E
<p>A "base ball" bank was reported to have been on display at a sale held by the Congregational Church of Winslow, Buckinghamshire: "There were in addition various devices for making money. Master Wilfrid French had two ingenious toys, known as a mule bank and a base ball bank: Mr. W. Turnham, a cross-bow competition; Mr. Arthur Clear, an electrifying machine; and Mr. A.J. Clear, a powerful magic lantern in the lower room..."</p> +
<p>A "base ball" crime was reported in the Southsea holiday area of Portsmouth, Hampshire: "Base Ball in the Streets -- Thomas Willis, 15, Robert Cole, 17, William Cole, 14, George Blundell, 16, Henry Coughlin, 15, and Richard John Stanfield, 14, were summoned for playing base ball in Gloucester-street, Southsea, on April 24th.--Constable Carpenter proved the case, and said the defendants Cole had previously been complained of, but not the others.--The Coles were each fined 2s. The others were discharged with a caution."</p> +
<p>A "base-ball" game on water was reported at another swimming event in Kettering, Northamptonshire: "There was also an 80 yds. race in clothes, and a base ball competition between members of the Kettering and Uppingham Swimming Clubs." And then: "The entertainment concluded with a base-ball competition, from which much amusement was derived, but as the sides were not clearly distinguishable, it was hard to tell which of the two gained the advantage."</p> +
<p>A "base-ball" game was part of the program at the opening of the new Brixton and Clapham Swimming Bath in London. Following an exhibition by Captain Boynton of "the lifesaving suit in which he braves alike Channel waves or the stormy Atlantic,…the rest of the programme comprised displays of swimming, racing and diving...Harry Parker (swimming master to the establishment) and his youthful sister went through their wonderful feats, and much amusement was created by a game of base-ball between members of the North London Club."</p> +
<p>A "game of base ball" was identified in a newspaper account as one of the events competed for at a swimming fete held at the Dewsbury Corporation Baths in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. Little more was written about it except to provide the name of the winner (an individual), and to describe it as "a game of base ball in the water."</p> +
G
<p>A baseball contest for girls under the age of 14 was one of the competitions at the Eton Brocas Festival, held on the Brocas meadows in Eton, Berkshire, across the Thames from Windsor Palace. A local newspaper in 1826 reported the presence of 200 boys and girls at the festival, but it wasn't until 75 years later that the same paper provided greater detail about the event, having discovered an original window bill that had been circulated to promote the festival. The 1901 followup article reported that the bill specified the amusements to take place at the festival, including: “Girls under 14 years of age to play at Baseball; the Winners to receive 1s. each and a Ribband; the losers a Ribband each.” Gender pay equity seems to have taken hold among the festival planners, because the promised rewards for boys under 14 who participated in the cricket contest were the same as those received by the girls.</p> +
T
<p>A brief definition of “Tutball” was included in a published glossary of local words and phrases from the market town of Rochdale and the district of Rossendale, both traditionally part of Lancashire county. “Tutball, n. A child's hand-ball.”</p> +
E
<p>A casual reference to “base-ball” appeared in a brief article in a sporting journal about a horse named “Poodle.” In describing the horse's qualities and justifying the high price paid for it, the writer stated that “this horse's own brother Pelion, is one of the finest animals in the kingdom; he has enormous limbs, a back broad enough to play at base-ball upon, and was a capital runner.”</p> +
<p>A children's book, Jolly Games for Happy Homes, includes two separate game descriptions, one of "base ball" (two words), and one of "base-ball" (hyphenated). The first, on page 110, begins: "This is a healthy exercise and a never-tiring game." After explaining how to choose which team is "in" and which "out," it continues: "The party who is "out" throws the ball, which the one who is "in" receives "in" her hand as if it were a bat, bats it away and starts for the first base, or station. The garden or field has previously been divided into bases or stations, duly marked at convenient distances. The business of the followers of the leader who is "out" is to...catch up the ball...and hit the runner with it as she passes from base to base. If she is so hit she is "out." The second description, of "base-ball," on pages 247-248, appears to be modeled on the rounders page from The Boy's Own Book of 1828, but also makes clear that the players are girls and that the ball is struck by hand. </p> +
<p>A clergyman suggested that “baseball” was among the games played by Edward VI, the “boy king” who ruled England in the mid-16th century. A Kent newspaper published a series of lectures given by the Reverend George J. Blore on the subject of the English Reformation. In one of them, the reverend alluded to a diary kept by the young Edward VI: “...he recorded his experiences in a curiously methodical journal, where he entered with equally matter of fact brevity great matters of State, and the games of baseball got up for his amusement.”</p> +
<p>A complaint about “base-ball” was leveled by a councilman in the town of Buckingham, Bucks, as part of his motion to stop the play of various games on Church Hill in the nearby village of Akeley. According to a newspaper report, he proposed that “no football, hockey, cricket, or dangerous games be allowed on the Church Hill.” He argued that these game endangered mothers walking with young children, and the elderly. Regarding the players, “he was not now speaking of the little lads, but of older boys, 14 or 15 years of age, and he was sorry to say that their language was at times very bad. The other day they were playing base-ball at the east entrance to the Hill, and the ball hit the grand east window, and if it had not been for the wire-netting with which it was protected the stained glass would have been broken.”</p> +
L
<p>A dictionary entry and definition for the word "baseball": "(From base and ball) A rural game in which the person striking the ball must run to his base or goal." Also, as one of the definitions for the word "base": "A rural play, called also Baseball; as, Lads more like to run the country base. Shakesp."</p> +
E
<p>A game called "base" (that was clearly baseball) was referenced in an extremely long newspaper article reporting the testimony in a trial in Norwich, Norfolk, to determine whether a deceased man named Bailey Bird had, while alive, been mentally competent to marry. One witness described his boyhood: "He was desirous of playing with us boys, but he was not able, he did not comprehend the game. We used to play base, striking a ball and running to places called homes. Have heard the boys say to him, 'now Bailey, count five,' his reply was, 'don't know'."</p> +
<p>A game called "base" was among the recreations offered at the annual treat held for children of the various schools in the Holy Trinity parish of Tunbridge Wells, Kent. After marching from their schools to the grounds of a local churchman's estate, the children enjoyed a tea, and then, afterwards, “all kinds of games were indulged in by the youngsters—cricket, base, racing, scrambling, kiss-in-the-ring, &c., &c.”</p> +
<p>A game called “bat-ball base” was referenced in an angry letter written by a factory owner to the editor of a London newspaper complaining that the police were not cracking down on youngsters playing games on the street in front of his business. “...a considerable army of young gentlemen are, during the whole day, disporting themselves after the manner of our English youth, in flying kites, to the terror of all horses on the road, in playing at bat-ball base, the chief enjoyment of which appears to consist in sending a hard wooden ball into the face of every stray passenger they can hit...”</p> +
<p>A game of "baseball" was mentioned in a newspaper article about the annual treat for students of the St. Margaret's Sunday Schools of Ipswich, Suffolk, who, 400 in number, boated on the River Orwell to Felixstowe where they enjoyed sailing and playing games: "Donkey riding, round games, bathing, boating, and the like were all patronised and thoroughly enjoyed...The indulgence in such a round of pleasures was greatly favoured by the weather, which was neither too cold for a bathe or a sail, nor too warm for a good frolic at baseball or some other game."</p> +
<p>A game of “ base-ball” in the small village of Crookham, Berkshire, was at the center of a legal complaint that was heard at the County Petty Sessions in Newbury. A newspaper summary read as follows: “Charles Pocock, a young man described a haybinder, was charged with using threatening language towards Andrew Webb, at Crookham, on the 2nd of March. Mr. Charles Lucas appeared for complainant, and stated that his client lived on Crookham Common. It was the practice of defendant and his companions to assemble near Webb's house on Sunday afternoons, and, much to the latter's annoyance, indulge in various games, such as 'base-ball,' &c. On Sunday they were busy with their usual diversions, when, upon complainant remonstrating with them, defendant offered to fight, and used serious threats toward him.” Verdict, guilty, and defendant was fined ₤5.</p> +
B
<p>A game of “ball bias” was among the entertainments offered to a gathering of as many as 500 people at the annual Church Festival in West Malling, Kent. Following a church service and the consumption of a lavish meal, a newspaper reported that “amusements of various kinds, the Rifle Band (39th Kent), singing, croquet, trap bat, ball bias, promenading, &c., were enjoyed and carried on by various parties with much spirit until dusk.”</p> +
E
<p>A game of “base ball” was one of the activities enjoyed by members and friends of the Mizpah Gospel Mission of Southsea (Portsmouth), Hampshire on their annual outing to Haslemere, located some 35 miles away in Surrey. A newspaper reported that after arriving by train, “the party, headed by the Mizpah brass band, marched to the Congregational Lecture Hall where refreshments were provided, after which the party dispersed, some going for a stroll, while a large number made their way to the recreation ground, where various games were indulged in, including a football and cricket match, and also a good game of base ball.”</p> +
<p>A game of “base ball” was part of the entertainment at the annual fete for young members of the Band of Hope and Gospel Temperance Society of Sheringham, a seaside town in Norfolk. After tea and photographs, a newspaper reported that “the various sports and games provided for the young people were then entered into with much zest. A cricket match was played between the Upper and Lower Sheringham members, the former winning easily. Races, tugs of war, scrambles for nuts and sweets, base ball, &c., were heartily enjoyed.”</p> +
<p>A game of “baseball” was played by some of the guests attending a garden party celebrating the season opening of the Lansdowne Tennis Club of Harlington, Bedfordshire. A newspaper covering the event reported that “Early in the forenoon the game was in full swing on the two courts, whilst in the afternoon members and friends turned up in the number of 40, and those who were not able to wield the racquet could participate in a game of baseball, which took place at the farthest end of the ground, or bowls on the lawn.”</p> +
<p>A game of “baseball” was played by some of the 200 students of the Council Schools of Basingstoke, Hampshire, as part of their “Summer Ramble,” an annual field trip to the countryside to study nature and play games. A newspaper reporter accompanied the party, and in his ensuing story described how the students took a long nature walk, and then “westward we go, till close to the school, hidden in its clump of trees, we find the much desired spot and soon sides are chosen and cricket and baseball are in full swing.”</p> +
P
<p>A game of “pie-ball” was played as a grim act of defiance by some of 1200 striking miners and their family members who were being evicted from their homes in the pit town of Willington, county Durham, by policemen working on behalf of the colliery owners. “During the whole of the morning and afternoon the wretched work was carried on actively by those engaged in it, and as the day began to draw to a close, the number of houses with closed doors and windows in the village became very noticeable. But all the time the indifference displayed by the miners was never changed. Whilst the policemen and their assistants were busily engaged removing the furniture in one street, in front of the next row of houses might be seen a score of men and boys playing at pie-ball, with as much zest as though they were enjoying a pleasant and well-earned holiday.”</p> +
1
<p>A glossary of "lingual localisms" used in the English county of Suffolk names "Base-ball" among a long list of local games: "We have…a great variety of games, active and sedentary…Omitting games so universal as Cricket, Leap-frog, Marbles, etc., we have...Bandy, Bandy-wicket, Base-ball, Bandy-ball, Bubble-hole...Foot ball, Hocky (sic)..." and so on.</p> +
E
<p>A group of youngsters played “base ball” and other amusements at the annual summer treat of the Band of Hope in Monmouth, the county town of Monmouthshire, Wales, located two miles from the English border. A newspaper reported that “various amusements were provided, and at 4:30 the children sat down to tea which was very much enjoyed. After tea, races, swings, base ball and other games attracted attention, an amusing feature being a tug of war between 10 boys and 10 girls, the latter succeeding in pulling the boys over twice out of three times and thereby became the victors.”</p> +
<p>A history book mentioned "base ball" in a discussion of ancient hunting rights in the town of Burford in Oxfordshire: "From time immemorial the townsmen had possessed the privilege of hunting in Wychwood Forest on Whit Sunday. The custom, no doubt, originated in the early days of the Church, and when the Sabbath was not so rigorously kept as it is now. So long as Mass was attended in the morning, every one was free, as on other days, to indulge in base ball, football, or any other game."</p> +
"
<p>A letter from Mary Lepel (Lady Hervey) of Ickworth Hall, Suffolk, to Rev. Edmund Morris of Hampshire mentions "base-ball" being played in London by the family of Frederick, Prince of Wales: "…in a large room they divert themselves at Base-ball, a play all who are or have been schoolboys are well acquainted with; the Ladys (sic) as well as Gentlemen join in this amusement..."</p> +
E
<p>A letter to the editor complaining about “baseball” play in Portsmouth was summarized in a newspaper column. “'FELLOW SUFFERER' writes to emphasise the necessity of official notice being taken of the prevalent annoyance of Portsmouth householders by boys playing baseball in the streets, and breaking windows and committing other damage.”</p> +
<p>A location called the “Base-ball Pit” in the village of Cookham, Berkshire, was where a man named William Brothers hanged himself from a tree. A newspaper reported that the body was found suspended by a cord from the branch of a tree by a ploughboy named Harry Willis. Apparently, the deceased had been recently depressed.</p> +
<p>A newspaper announced that "base ball" would be one of the amusements planned for "The Annual Fete Champetre" of the Windsor and Eton Literary, Scientific, and Mechanics' Institution to be held August 17th on private land near the village of St. Leonard's in Buckinghamshire, all in celebration of the birthday of Queen Victoria's mother, the Duchess of Kent. The announcement stated that the event would offer many different forms of music and entertainment, and added: "The amusements will consist of Dancing, Archery, Cricket, Quoits, Foot, Trap, and Base Ball, &c."</p> +
<p>A newspaper column called "Town and Country Gossip" mentioned "base-ball" in the course of listing all of the former playgrounds and ball fields for children that were no longer available for use in the vicinity of Ipswich, Suffolk, and making an argument that the local authorities make new ones available: "As for the Racecourse, that best of all playgrounds, who does not remember the summer evenings when cricket, base-ball, 'hunt-the-hare,' and football, without its 'scrimmages,' 'touch downs,' &c., were favourite games on both sides of the course, and where literally hundreds of children of both sexes were engaged in joyous play unmolested?"</p> +
<p>A newspaper described that ”ball-bias” (base-ball) was played as part of a huge festival staged in Hastings, East Sussex, celebrating the end of the Crimean War: "There were scrambling for nuts, marbles, &c., and racing amongst the girls as well as boys for toys, footballs were bounding all over the hill, blindman's buff engaged one circle, and drop-handkerchief excited some interest in others, while ball-bias (see note) and other games engaged the attention of the rest."</p> +
B
<p>A newspaper described that ”ball-bias” was played as part of a huge festival staged in Hastings, East Sussex, celebrating the end of the Crimean War: "There were scrambling for nuts, marbles, &c., and racing amongst the girls as well as boys for toys, footballs were bounding all over the hill, blindman's buff engaged one circle, and drop-handkerchief excited some interest in others, while ball-bias (see note) and other games engaged the attention of the rest."</p> +
E
<p>A newspaper mentioned that "base-ball" was played at the annual feast of the Church Sunday School of Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire: "After partaking of beef and plum pudding, the children adjourned to a meadow kindly lent them by Mr. Gurney, and were soon scattered in every part--some playing cricket, foot-ball, and base-ball; whilst others were racing for handkerchiefs, kindly given by Mrs. Edwards."</p> +
<p>A newspaper mentioned that a "base ball" contest had been scheduled as part of a swimming competition in Kettering, Northamptonshire: "It was announced that there would be a base ball competition, but this fell through, and the company appeared to be anxious to leave, as the rain, which had ceased for a time, came on again."</p> +
<p>A newspaper reported "base ball" being played at the annual treat of the Church Sunday Schools of West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire: "The…children…, forming in procession to the number of 120…, proceeded round the hill and through the village to the vicarage grounds, where they soon dispersed: the boys to cricket, and the girls to swinging, base ball, and other amusements."</p> +
<p>A newspaper reported "base ball" being part of an outdoors celebration of Good Friday by children from the Tadley Chapel Sabbath and Day Schools in Basingstoke, Hampshire: "The day was fine and the party very much enjoyed the entertainment provided for them; after which they amused themselves at the well-known games of base ball, cricket, &c."</p> +
<p>A newspaper reported "base ball" being played at an outing of children from the National and Infant School of Taplow, Buckinghamshire, to nearby "Burnham Beeches": "The children after enjoying themselves for several hours, the boys with cricket, foot ball, &c., and the girls with base ball, trap bat and swings, returned at 9 o'clock under the care of their much respected master and mistress, singing as they came into the village, "God save the Queen."</p> +