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2
<p>This game has evolved from the guidance of Daniel Jones in California. It is a blend of baseball predecessor games (citing the Massachusetts Game -- "TMG" below) with aspects of early town ball and cricket.</p>
<p>(A background account is included in the <strong>Supplemental Text</strong> field, below.) </p>
<p>The game's expansion as of 2022 is also included there.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>From the developer of the game, Daniel Jones, in 2017:</p>
<p><br/>"Some features of 21st Century Townball:<br/> <br/>1. No foul balls (like TMG - the Massachusetts Game).<br/> <br/>2. Stakes, but no base lines (like TMG).<br/> <br/>3. Pegging the runners allowed (like TMG).<br/> <br/>4. No set batting order (can change each round) (unique).<br/> <br/>5. Stakes are 42, 68, 110, 110, 110 feet away, from first to fifth, respectively, in a (Fibonacci) spiral (Similar formation to TMG, but better geometry).<br/> <br/>6. A “zone” behind the batter. If the pitch hits it, you are out (like cricket or stoolball).<br/> <br/>7. If you hit the ball and don’t run, a strike is called against you (similar to cricket with limited overs).<br/> <br/>8. A swing and a miss is only a strike if the catcher catches it (like TMG).<br/> <br/>9. Three strikes and you are out. Third strike hit, batter obligated to run (unique, similar to TMG).<br/> <br/>10. First team to eight runs, win by five, cap at thirteen, wins the game (similar to TMG).<br/> <br/>11. 13 players per side (similar to TMG).<br/> <br/> <br/>Equipment:<br/> <br/>1860 baseball used (developed by Eric Miklich).<br/> <br/>1930’s gloves only (or similar size)<br/> <br/>bamboo bats recommended (because the ball is a little heavier)"<br/> <br/><br/></p>
<p> </p> +
<p>The 24th United States Infantry was on occupation duty in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1867. The first mention of the 24th United States Infantry Base Ball Club is in the <em>Vicksburg Daily Herald</em>, February 6, 1867 - the article announces that the team will play a match base ball game for the championship with the Mississippi Valley Base Ball Club of Vicksburg at the parade ground of the regiment on February 7, 1867, at 1:30 p.m.</p> +
24th United States Infantry Base Ball Club of Vicksburg, Mississippi v Crusaders Club of Vicksburg on 22 March 1867 +
<p>On March 20, 1867, the Vicksburg newspaper noted, "The Crusaders is the name of a new base ball club just organized. We learn that a match game will be played between the above club and the 24th U.S I.B.B. on Thursday next, at half past one o'clock."</p> +
24th United States Infantry Base Ball Club of Vicksburg, Mississippi v Mississippi Valley BBC of Vicksburg on 10 February 1867 +
<p>The newspaper does not have much information about this game, it only states: "The match game between the Base Ball Clubs of the citizens and soldiers terminated yesterday in favor of the latter. The game stood 33 to 24."</p> +
24th United States Infantry Base Ball Club of Vicksburg, Mississippi v Mississippi Valley BBC of Vicksburg on 2 April 1867 +
<p>On March 28, 1867, the Vicksburg newspaper had the following message: "Camp 24th Infantry, Vicksburg, Miss., March 26, '67 - Sir: In behalf of the 24th Infantry Base Ball Club, I beg respectfully to challenge the Mississippi Valley Base Ball Club, of this city, to play a match game for a Ball and Bat, on Tuesday, April 2d, 1867, game to be called at 1 o'clock, P.M., Very Respectfully, Your ob'dt serv't, Richard Buckley, Secretary, 24th Inf. B.B. Club."</p>
<p>On April 3, 1867, the Vicksburg paper gave the score of the game and noted, "The consequence of the advanced stage of the evening, there could only be 8 innings played on each side."</p> +
24th United States Infantry Base Ball Club of Vicksburg, Mississippi v Mississippi Valley BBC of Vicksburg on 7 February 1867 +
<p>The Base Ball Club Championship between the 24th United States Infantry Base Ball Club and the Mississippi Valley Base Ball Club took place on the 24th Infantry parade ground, which was located at the end of Cherry Street across the railroad. The local newspaper noted that "Provision has been made by Gen. Dudley, to seat all the ladies who may be in attendance. The game is well matched on each side, and as many of the players are experts, fine playing may be expected." The day after the game the paper noted, "The Base Ball game passed off yesterday, the citizens club winning by three runs; the game, as we expected, was close and interesting. There were a large number of our citizens present."</p> +
<p><span>"The Twenty-Fifth Infantry Regiment Takes the Field," National Pastime 15 (1995) pp. 59-64 relates that on Xmas day, 1899, at the camp of the 12th Infantry in the Philippines, the 25th played the 12th a match game of baseball.</span></p>
<p><span>There was a Manila Baseball League 1899-1902 among the US soldiers and sailors.</span></p>
<p><span>The National Tribune, June 14, 1900 has a photo of a Marines BBC at Cavite, just outside Manila, and a report of a game on the San Miguel grounds among members of the 20th Infantry.</span></p>
<p>The Kansas City <em>Star</em>, Aug. 31, 1903: "Base Ball in the Philippines. Captain Pershing, now at home on leave of absence after four years service in the Philippines, says that the Filipino boys are beginning to play base ball with zest and enthusiasm. In all the big towns there is a ball nine composed wholly of native players."</p>
<p>John J. Pershing was later CIC of the American army in Europe during World War I.</p>
<p><span> </span></p> +
<p>2nd nines</p> +
2nd Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, 34th Division v 3rd Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, 34th Division on 25 April 1942 +
<p>Game played by US servicemen in Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom.</p>
<p>Today (2022) there are several local baseball teams in Belfast.</p> +
<p>(3 innings – Oraton intra-club game)</p>
<p>(NDA: The nines “played three innings and then stopped, owing to darkness. The 2d nine was ahead.”)</p> +
4
<p>The Raleigh ''Daily Standard'', July 3, 1865, reports that the 47th and 48th New York, of the Union occupying force, will play baseball, nine a side, at the 47th's camp on July 4th.</p> +
<p>A famous photo shows Union soldiers of the 48th NY Infantry playing baseball in Fort Pulaski during the Civil War. The photo is usually dated 1862.</p>
<p>Text from Protoball entry 1862.45:</p>
'"`UNIQ--pre-00000017-QINU`"'
<p>"A ball game appears in the background of photographs of the 48th New York at Fort Pulaski. The Fort, near the Georgia coast, had been taken by the North in July 1862. The National Park Services dates its image to 1862. One shot appears in Kirsch, Baseball in Blue and Gray, page 32, and another, apparently, at the NPS site <a class="external free" title="http://www.nps.gov/fopu/historyculture/baseball.htm" href="http://www.nps.gov/fopu/historyculture/baseball.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.nps.gov/fopu/historyculture/baseball.htm</a> [accessed 6/6/09.] Note: we welcome your interpretation of these photos."</p>
<p>The NY Mercury, Jan. 11, 1863, reported that on Dec. 25, 1862 two picked nines of the 48th NY Infantry played each other. Same, March 22, 1863 says on March 7 picked nines of the same regiment (a unit raised in NYC) played another match game, with the company F nine beating the drummer corps nine 18-14.</p>
<p>Fort Pulaski is between Savannah and Tybee Island. It was a Confederate and Union stronghold at different times during the Civil War.</p> +
The NY Mercury, March 22, 1863 says on March 7 picked nines of the same regiment (a unit raised in NYC) played another match game, with the company F nine beating the drummer corps nine 18-14. +
5
<p>www.fold3.com has WWII Air Force photos, which include a Oct. 16, 1942 photo of the 51st Fighter Group baseball team at Karachi Air Base in India.</p>
<p>US troops were sent to British India in 1942. Karachi (now in Pakistan) was a major supply and air transport base.</p> +
<p>The New Albany (IN) <em>Daily Ledger</em> April, 4, 1863, reprints a letter from a soldier in Corinth, MS, dated March 29, 1863, saying that yesterday a base ball team from the 2nd Iowa defeated a team from the 52nd IL 100 to 77.</p>
<p>See also the Davenport (IA) Daily Gazette, April 18, 1863. See Chronologies 1863.76.</p> +
6
Ogdensburg ''Daily Journal'', May 10, 1864 +
<p>The <em>Brooklyn Daily Eagle</em>, May 2, 1863, headlined "Base ball in camp," reports that on April 19th, the 1st Long Island Volunteers (67th NY) played the 62nd New York.</p>
<p>At this time the 2 units were part of the VI Corps, stationed near Falmouth, VA.</p>
<p>See chronologies 1863.77.</p> +
7
<p>The Quincy <em>Daily Whig</em>, July 24, 1871: "Bushnell, Ill., July 22. The game of base ball played yesterday at this place between the Prairie City and Bushnell clubs resulted in favor of the former, two to one."</p>
<p>The <em>Chicago Tribune</em>, July 26, 1871, reports on the same game, with the Alerts of Prairie City beating the "71" club of Bushnell 23-10 at Bushnell.</p> +
<p>The first recorded baseball game played in OK was at Fort Sill in 1869, with soldiers of the 7th US Cavalry and 19th Kansas volunteers playing. See Elias, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Empire Strikes Out</span>, p. 1868.</p>
<p>Fort Sill had just been established. It is part of modern Lawton, OK.</p> +
9
<p>The 91st Battalion BBC, stationed in the area, sends out a challenge to local clubs</p> +
?
A
A collection of the most prominent entries in the chronology. (This list is currently being curated, with 90 entries selected so far.) +
<p>The <em>Chicago Tribune</em>, Aug. 21, 1870 reports that the Invincibles of Walsh & Hutchinson Co. beat the A. A.'s 32-24. Same Aug. 7. 1870 reports that the A.A.'s beat the Milan Braids 42-34.</p>
<p>W&H sold millinery.</p> +
The C. T. Reynolds & Co. "putty nine" (a paint co.) defeated the A. B. Sands & Co. (drugs) club at the Capitoline Grounds, July 2, 1870, 64-18. +
<p>"A baseball federation (the KNSBSB) was found [in the Netherlands] in 1912, and the Holland Series was established in 1922, the first winner being A. H. C. Quick from Amsterdam."</p> +
<p>Dr. Caleb Guyer Kelly (d. 1960), a Methodist missionary, former Baltimore City College ballplayer, and friend of Ned Hanlon, organized a baseball league in Tunis, Tunisia (then a French colony) in 1921. This eventually led to the "ligue Tunisienne de Baseball." Kelly boasted of forming 107 teams in Tunisia, Libya, Algeria and Morocco (all French or Italian colonies at the time) in North Africa, and was known as "the father of North African Baseball." In Algeria teams were formed in Algiers, the capitol, A. S. St. Eugene being (apparently) the first. In 1937 he invited the Pittsburgh Pirates to train in Tunis.</p>
<p>See C. G. Kelly, "Baseball in the Garden of Allah," reprinted in "Muslim World", April 3, 2007, pp. 39-47; "Baseball is Thriving Sport on North African Shores," Dallas <em>Morning News</em>, March 12, 1933; Elias, "The Empire Strikes Out," p. 113; Vlasich, "A Legend for the Legendary. The Origin of the Baseball Hall of Fame," pp. 90-91; St. Petersburg <em>Independent</em>, Jan. 15, 1961; "Bucs Invited to Train in Africa," Springfield (MA) <em>Republican</em>, Dec. 25, 1937; San Diego <em>Union</em>, June 5, 1928. </p> +
<p>Secretary of the Bluff City Base Ball Club, 1867</p> +
<p>Aka Abenaqui. Bellows Falls "Times," July 31, 1868</p> +
<p>The <em>Saline County Journal</em>, Aug. 3, 1876: "The match game of base ball between the Salina and Abilene picked nines was played at Abilene last Thursday. The game resulted in 36 for the Abilene nine to 42 for the Salina nine."</p> +
<p>Ackerley's <em>Early History of</em> K<em>nox College Baseball</em> p. 53 says that in 1878 the Alberts of Knox College defeated the Abingdons of Abingdon College 27-12, citing <em>The Knox Student</em>, Oct. 1878, p. 14.</p>
<p>The <em>Monmouth College Clipper</em>, June 1, 1869 reports that the Monmouth College Club defeated the Abingdon College Club 50-11 at Galesburg on the 29th.</p> +
<p>A club of the "Academy" students, which played the Gallia BBC.</p> +
<p>The <em>Harrisburg Telegraph</em>, Oct. 8, 1866</p> +
<p>The <em>Macomb Journal</em>, July 2, 1869 reports that on June 19th the Academic Club of Macomb defeated the Suckers of Colchester 39-10.</p> +
<p>The <em>Wilmington Daily Commercial</em>, May 22, 1869 reports that on Saturday last, at Odessa, Middletown beat Odessa.</p>
<p>The <em>Middletown Transcript</em> May 22, 1869 reports that the Academic of Middletown played the Defiance Jr. of Odessa.</p>
<p>A junior club? See Middletown <em>Transcript</em>, July 3, 1869</p>
<p>1870 Pop.--915</p> +
<p><span>ANOTHER BASE BALL CLUB -- The members of the Intermediate and Junior classes of St. John's Academy have organized a new club, to be known as "The Academy B. B. C." The following are the officers of the new club: Robert W. Wheat, President; Edward A. Greene, Vice President; Julian T. Burke, Recording Secretary; George H. Bossart, Corresponding Secretary; Albert Bryan, Treasurer; George H. Bossart, Philip R. Summers, Edwin English, Directors; Philip R. Summers, Captain 1st Nine; Eddie E. McGraw, Captain 2d Nine</span></p> +
<p>Egan, "Base Ball on the Western Reserve," p. 20, says that the Academy Club of Collamer played in 1867. </p>
<p>Collamer now seems to be a part of a new city of East Cleveland (not the one annexed by Cleveland in 1872). It was named after Jacob Collamer, a Whig/Republican who was a US Senator from Vermont.</p> +
<p>Academy lost to Institute 41-9.</p> +
<p><span>The Houston Telegraph, April 9, 1861 has an ad (dated April 6) for the new Houston BBC. Says they are to practice Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the "Academy Square." This undoubtedly refers to the Houston Academy grounds. The Academy was bounded by Capitol Ave., Austin St., Rusk Ave. and Caroline St. Modern address: 790 Austin St.</span></p>
<p><span>This is the site of the first organized play in Houston, if not the first match game.</span></p> +
<p>The Arkansas Gazette revealed the members of the Little Rock base ball clubs. Bruce Allardice checked available census reports to determine if they were local players.
</p><p>Of the five directors of the "Accidental" team, four (Frank Compton, Will Field, Al Wassell, and G. F. Kirkwood) were born in Arkansas, and the fifth, Geo R. Brown, was a New York born reporter. The club itself seems all Arkansas-born in the 1850s. Thus, native southerners were playing the Association game in 1875 if not before.
</p> +
<p>The Cheyenne Leader, April 30, 1868, printed a letter "From Fort Fetterman, April 17, 1868...a big base ball match was played a few weeks since, resulting in favor of the Accomodation Club over the Laramie Club." Presumably the two teams were made up of the soldiers at the post, and/or the post sutlers, Indian agents, etc.</p>
<p>From Wikipedia: "Fort Fetterman was a wooden fort constructed in 1867 by the United States Army on the Great Plains frontier in the Dakota Territory approximately 11 miles northwest of present-day Douglas, Wyoming."</p>
<p>Douglas WY is about 55 miles E of Casper WY. Laramie WY is about 125 miles S of Douglas.</p> +
<p>The Cheyenne Leader, April 30, 1868, printed a letter "From Fort Fetterman, April 17, 1868...a big base ball match was played a few weeks since, resulting in favor of the Accomodation Club over the Laramie Club." Presumably the two teams were made up of the soldiers at the post, and/or the post sutlers, Indian agents, etc.</p>
<p>From Wikipedia: "Fort Fetterman was a wooden fort constructed in 1867 by the United States Army on the Great Plains frontier in the Dakota Territory approximately 11 miles northwest of present-day Douglas, Wyoming."</p>
<p>Douglas WY is about 55 miles E of Casper WY. Laramie WY is about 125 miles S of Douglas.</p> +
How did game accounts evolve locally? What were local box-score summaries like?? Was quantification and/or statistics important in the local popularity of the game? +
<p>The <em>Chicago Tribune</em>, July 27, 1867, has an extensive article on the State base ball convention. Among the teams sending delegates was the Achilles BBC of Morrison.</p>
<p>A Thumpers BBC of Morrison existed in 1877. See <em>Chicago Inter Ocean</em>, Oct. 12, 1877.</p>
<p>Morrison, founded in 1855, had 1,981 residents in 1880.</p> +
<p><span>The Toronto <em>Irish Canadian</em>, June 14, 1871 reports on the Excursion of St. Michael's College to Hamilton, Ontario on the 8th. While there the Achilles Club of the college played the Maple Leafs of Hamilton "on the grounds, Upper James St." The college team was leading 29-20 when the game was called after 6 innings.</span></p>
<p>The college was founded in 1852. Is this the first college baseball team in Canada?</p> +
<p>Organized 600723</p> +
<p>The <em>Woodstock Sentinel</em>, June 6, 1878 reports that the Acme Club was formed last week at Cary Station.</p>
<p>Cary had 161 residents in 1880.</p> +
<p>The <em>Chicago Tribune</em>, Aug. 22, 1870 reports that the Transits defeated the Acmes 49-9.</p> +
<p>The Janesville <em>Gazette</em>, Sept. 9, 1876, in its "Base Ball" column, mentions the Acme's of Clayton, Illinois, defeating the Atlantics of Brooklyn, NY, 4 to 1, in a game played at Clayton Sept. 6th.</p> +
<p>Half-Day had a post office as early as 1836. the unincorporated area was annexed by Vernon Hills in 1993.</p> +
<p>The <em>Waukegan Weekly Gazette</em>, June 8, 1867 announces a meeting of the Acme BBC at Fireman's Hall. The club formed June 24. George B. Warren is president, T. Henry Lindsey, Secretary. Gives a list of members. Appears to be a successor to the Waukegan BBC.</p>
<p>Same June 29, 1867 has a long report of a game between the Acme and Lake Shore BBCs, won by the latter 108-83. Gives a box score.</p>
<p>The Chicago <em>Tribune</em>, July 27, 1867, mentions the Acme Club of Waukegan sending delegates to the state baseball convention.</p>
<p>The Springfield Daily Illinois State Journal May 14, 1868 reports on a state baseball convention which included delegates of clubs from Bloomington (Empire, Bloomington), Waukegan (Acme, Lake Shore); Champaign (Empire); and Geneseo (Pioneer).</p> +
<p>The <em>Chicago Tribune</em>, Sept. 28, 1867, reports that at the Lake County Agricultural Fair in Libertyville, the Lake Shore defeated the Acme (both of Waukegan) 60-15.</p>
<p>The <em>Waukegan Weekly Gazette</em>, Sept. 28, 1867 reports on this game, and labels it for the championship of Lake County.</p>
<p>These teams had met before, with the Acme winning 58-40. The <em>Waukegan Weekly Gazette</em>, July 20, 1867</p> +
<p>The Spalding Scrapbook, NYPL, has an 1868 article listing five games played by the Williston BBC of East Hampton in 1868, against the Active of East Hampton, the Union of West Hampton, and the Woronoco of Westfield.</p> +
<p>The Indianapolis <em>Daily Journal</em>, Dec. 1, 1866 reports that on the 29th the Western Star BBC played the Active BBC, with the Active quitting after two innings. Both are junior teams.</p>
<p>The <em>Cincinnati Enquirer</em>, July 19, 1867 reports that the Actives of Indianapolis are to play the Star City Club of Lafayette "tomorrow" for the state junior championship. "Today" the Actives lost to the Tippicanoe 38-34.</p> +
<p>The <em>Sycamore True Republican</em>, Sept. 9, 1882, Sept. 20, 1882 says the Kirkland base ball club is to play Sycamore at the county fair.</p>
<p>Same, July 28, 1883 says the Kirkland BBC beat Genoa last Saturday at Genoa. Same Aug. 4, 1883 says Genoa beat Kirkland at Kirkland.</p>
<p>The <em>Rockford Daily Gazette</em>, Aug. 15, 1883 calls this Kirkland team the Actives. They lost to the Rockford Actives 44-4 on the 14th.</p>
<p>Kirkland was platted in 1876 and incorporated in 1882.</p> +
<p>Beginning as a Junior Club in 1856, they transitioned to Senior competition in 1864.</p>
<p>Changed name to Jerome Park BBC in 1867?</p> +
<p>Active Base Ball Club of New York: Senior</p>
<p>Alert Club of South Orange: Junior</p> +
<p>Active Base Ball Club of New York: Senior</p>
<p>Alert Club of South Orange: Junior</p> +
<p>Senior</p> +
<p>Senior</p> +
<p>Senior, 2nd Nine</p> +
<p>Senior</p> +
<p>Senior, 2nd Nine</p> +
<p>Senior, 2nd Nine</p> +
<p>Active 2 (xxx)</p>
<p>Onalaska 2 (xxx)</p>
<p>(scheduled)</p> +
Active Base Ball Club of New York v Picked ten from Highland & Hudson River clubs on 29 October 1859 +
<p>Active appears to be a junior club at this time.</p> +
<p>Senior, 2nd Nine</p> +
<p>Both Jr. clubs</p> +
<p>(21 HL; 7 innings?)</p> +
<p>Near the Excelsior grounds</p> +
jr vs sr. 2nd nines +
<p>Active Club of Albany: Junior</p><p>Clinton Club of Albany: Junior, 2nd Nine</p><p>Home team Active Club of Albany defeated away team Clinton Club of Albany</p> +
<p>The Alton <em>Telegraph</em> Sept. 7, 1866 reports the Active of Alton played the Prairie of Litchfield on Aug. 30th.</p> +
<p>The <em>Baltimore Sun</em>, Feb. 21, 1867, has an article on the MD state baseball convention and lists the clubs sending delegates. Among these was the Active Club of Baltimore.</p>
<p>Baltimore <em>American</em>, Sept. 27, 1866 calls this club a junior one.</p> +
<p>Banksville is in North Castle town(ship).</p> +
<p><em>Red Hook Journal</em>, Aug. 24, 1860, prints a letter from Barrytown, Aug. 22, 1860, reporting that "We Barrytonians have organized a base ball club" with L. L. Stillman, president and V. L. Coon, corresponding secretary. [ba]</p>
<p>Dutchess County</p> +
<p>The <em>Lincoln Daily State Journal</em>, Aug. 17, 1875 mentions the Active BBC of Beatrice.</p>
<p>The <em>Daily Nebraska Press</em>, July 14, 1870 mentions a baseball game played on the 4th of July in Beatrice. This may be the Actives.</p>
<p>Beatrice was founded in 1857.</p> +
<p>Troy <em>Daily Times</em>, Nov. 8, 1870 lists their games for that year.</p> +
<p>See games tab</p> +
<p>The <em>Terre Haute Weekly Express</em>, July 3, 1872 reports that "The Active base ball club of Brazil challenges the state..."</p>
<p>Brazil is just east of Terre Haute.</p> +
<p>Our readers will remember that the “Actives of Brookfield extended an invitation to the various Base Ball Clubs of North Missouri to come to this place and play with the on the 4<sup>th</sup> of July, for a silver-mounted rosewood bat. Three clubs accepted the invitation – the “Amateurs” of Brunswick, the “Grand Rivers” of Chillicothe, and the “Hesperians” of St. Joseph. As it was impossible for each of these clubs to engage the other on that day, it was arranged that in the morning, the “Amateurs” and “Hesperians” should engage each other, and, in the afternoon, the “Grand Rivers” and “Actives” should try their hand – the two winning clubs to engage at some future time. The “Hesperians” were the winners in the morning, the score standing 43 to 25; the “Actives” came off victorious in the afternoon – score 70 to 25. It was left to some future time to decide whether the “Hesperians” or the “Actives” was the better club. That “future time” was last Thursday...</p>
<p> At 2:30 P.M. on Wednesday, the first nine of the “Actives,” together with three reserves, and a large number of our citizens, took the cars of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad for the scene of contest...On the following morning the Captain of the “Hesperians” called on the Captain of the “Actives,” and all the necessary arrangements for the game were made. After dinner the clubs repaired to the grounds of the “Hesperians,” near the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad depot. The grounds were crowded with spectators. Men, women and children – representing every grade of society – were there, and it is probable, that, during the entire game, which lasted over four hours, there were fully one thousand people proscut. [Final score was Active 47; Hesperian 44]</p>
<p>-Brookfield (Mo.) Gazette, July 24, 1867</p>
<p>See the listing of junior clubs in Brooklyn in 1858, at Chronologies 1858.47.</p>
<p>Existed in 1857? See Chronologies 1857.49.</p>
<p>Aka Active Jr. Club of Brooklyn</p> +
<p>Junior</p><p>Draw</p> +
<p>Junior</p> +
<p>The <em>New York Clipper</em>, Aug. 25, 1866</p> +
<p>The <em>Wilmington Daily Commercial</em>, July 16, 1870 reports that last week the Active Club of Camden defeated the Magnolia Club of Camden 62-57.</p>
<p>Same, Oct. 24, 1870 reports that the White Stocking Club of Milford defeated the Active of Camden 43-27 for the championship of Kent County.</p> +
<p>The <em>Boston Daily Advertiser</em>, May 21, 1866 lists the clubs attending a New England Junior club meeting: Active of Chelsea, Independent of Brookline, Aetos of Charleston, Irving of Cambridge, and from Boston, Beacon, Clifton, Aquila, Somerset, Wachuset, Upton, Sheridan and Atlantic Jr.</p> +
<p><span>Brunson, "Black Baseball" p. 212</span></p>
<p><span>Aka Alert BBC</span></p> +
<p>The Chicago <em>Tribune</em>, Sept. 25, 1869 reports that the Active Sr. and Jr. clubs are to play each other. Same, Sept. 13, 1870, reports that the Active Club is to meet tonight.</p> +
<p>The New York Clipper, Sept. 22, 1866</p>
<p> </p> +
<p><em>Cincinnati Daily Gazette, </em>July 9, 1868 reports that the Clifton Club defeated the Active of Cincinnati in Clifton Monday 37-25.</p> +
<p>The <em>New York Clipper,</em> May 18, 1872 cites the Paris American Register, April 14, 1872 of April 9th/10th games in which the Columbia Base Ball Club of Berlin played the Active Club of Dresden. Both clubs were formed of Americans resident there. Gives a box score.</p>
<p> </p> +
<p>The <em>New York Clipper</em>, Aug. 4, 1866</p> +
<p>The <em>Evansville Daily Journal</em>, Oct. 28, 1867 reports that the Actives of Evansville are to play the Pee Wee of Henderson, KY, both junior clubs.</p> +
<p>Frederick <em>Examiner</em>, June 9, 1869 reports that the Active Club has reorganized for 1869.</p> +
<p>The <em>Fremont Weekly Journal</em>, Aug. 2, 1867 reports that the Actives defeated the Clippers 23-17 on the Croghan Club grounds.</p>
<p>A junior club? Fremont <em>Weekly Journal</em>, July 3, 1868</p> +
<p><span>Brunson, "Black Baseball" p. 215</span></p> +
<p>Great Falls MFG Co. was located in Somersworth</p> +
<p>The <em>Daily Albany Argus</em>, Sept. 14, 1867 reports that the Eagles of Albany defeated the Actives of Greenbush 51-33.</p>
<p>Greenbush, Bath and East Albany are now a part of Rensselaer.</p> +
<p>See games tabulation</p> +
<p>Active 1 (xxx) 24</p>
<p>Young America 2 (xxx) 21</p>
<p>(5 innings)</p>
<p>(PSOT (1): “By this it will be seen that the Young America Club was fairly beaten, and yet they refused to deliver the ball.”)</p>
<p>(PSOT (2): “Having seen in your issue dated the 23d inst., an article relative to the match between the Active and Young America Base Ball Clubs, wherein it is stated that after having been fairly beaten, the latter would not give up the ball, allow me to state, that although the Young Americas were beaten, still the Actives were not entitled to the ball, as, on account of the darkness, the umpire called time before the fifth inning was concluded. The Young Americas offered them the ball on the fourth inning, but they would not accept it, maintaining that five innings had been played, notwithstanding the umpire had given his decision to the contrary. Furthermore, the Young Americas played them without their regular catcher, thus giving their opponents an almost irreparable advantage over them.”)</p> +
<p><em>Bloomington Weekly Pantagraph</em>, July 15, 1868 gives the box score of a game where the Enterprise of Minonk defeated the Active of Hudson 44-38.</p> +
<p>The <em>Louisville Courier Journal</em>, Aug. 28, 1887 has a long article (from the Chicago Herald)--the reminiscences of an "old timer" who talks at great length about the Grove City team's game and loss to Chicago 111-5 in 1870. The narrator says he was a member of the "Actives" club of Kankakee.</p>
<p>He says that Grove City's pitcher, Bob Laparle, had terrorized the "sluggers" of Chebanse, Aroma, Watseka, Gilman, Manteno and Momence, but was knocked around by the Chicago team. </p>
<p>This reminiscence is not enough IMO to establish baseball in Aroma, etc. by 1870.</p> +
<p>See games tabulation</p> +
<p>The <em>Louisville Daily Courier</em>, Sept. 24, 1867 under the headline "Base Ball in Oldham County" reports on a Sept. 21st game in La Grange for the county championship, between the Oldham Club of Ballardsville and the Active of La Grange, won by the Oldham 104-60.</p>
<p>La Grange was founded in 1827. It had 612 residents in 1870. Ballardsville is today an unincorporated community.</p> +
<p>see ballgames</p> +
<p>"Logan County. Atlanta, Aug. 10--Editor Pantagraph. Last Friday our base ball club went to Lincoln to play the Actives and were defeated by 31 to 19--A return match is to be played here today." <em>Bloomington Pantagraph</em>, Aug. 11, 1871.</p> +
<p>The Arkansas Baseball Encyclopedia says that the Active Club existed in Little Rock from 1869-73.</p> +
<p>The Los Angeles Herald, Jan. 30, 1876 mentions the Active BBC.</p>
<p>Same Jan. 20, 1876 says this club was formed last night.</p>
<p>The Active played the Confidence almost immediately. See same, Jan. 30, Feb. 9, 1876.</p> +
<p>Egan, "Baseball on the Western Reserve" says in 1867 Lowellville had the Active club.</p> +
<p>The New York Clipper, Sept. 22, 1866</p>
<p> </p> +
<p><span>Brunson, "Black Baseball" p. 220</span></p> +
<p><span>The </span><em>Memphis Public Ledger</em><span>, July 23, 1867 reports on a game between the Atlantic and Active BBCs.</span></p> +
<p>The <em>Daily Milwaukee News</em> Oct. 23, 1866: "Base Ball Match" The Badger Boys base ball club and the Active base ball club are to play today.</p> +
Formed by a merger of the Washington and Shamrock Clubs. +
<p>The <em>New Orleans Times Picayune</em>, Sept. 17, 1867 has the Active Club defeating the Onward 31-20. Same 11-21-67 has the Active defeating the Semmes 73-15.</p> +
<p>(<em>Wilkes’ Spirit of the Times:</em> “At the conclusion of the game both clubs adjourned to the spacious dining hall of St. John’s College, where they participated in a bountiful collation, illustrating the hospitality of the members of the Rose Hill Club.”)</p> +
<p>(postponed, due to severe rain)</p> +
<p>Active Club of Newark: Junior, 2nd Nine</p><p>Empire Club of New York: Senior, 2nd Nine</p> +
<p>Active of New York, not Newark? [ba]</p> +
<p>Junior, 2nd Nine</p> +
<p>The <em>Middlesex Journal</em>, Sept. 21, 1867</p> +
<p>Daily Iowa State Register Oct. 18, 1866 reports on a state baseball tournament involving the Active of Ottumwa.
</p><p>Ottumwa IA (1860 pop. about 1,600; 1870 pop. about 5200)is about 75 miles SE of Des Moines and about 110 miles SW of Davenport IA.
</p> +
<p>The <em>Star of Pascagoula</em>, June 22, 1877 complained that there was no base ball club in that town. Same, July 13, 1877 reports that the Active Baseball Club of Pascagoula was formed on the 7th, with W. A. Krebs, president and Charles E. Sarrazin, captain. The club played an intersquad game that afternoon.</p>
<p>The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, Oct. 18, 1878 reports that this Active Club defeated the Nationals 28-14 at the "Seashore."</p> +
<p>For the Junior Championship of Paterson</p> +
<p>The <em>Petaluma Weekly Argus</em>, March 26, 1870 reports the Active and Sonoma BBCs of this city are to play at the Active Club grounds, the D Street Plaza.</p>
<p>The San Francisco <em>Chronicle</em>, Oct. 2, 1869 mentions that Petaluma has a BBC, presumably this one.</p> +
<p>The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 13, 1863 reports that the Active and Satterlee clubs are to play on the old Hamilton grounds, 38th and Market Sts.</p> +
<p>Junior</p><p>Home team Active Club of Philadelphia defeated away team Continental Club of Philadelphia</p> +
<p>Active Club of Philadelphia: Junior</p><p>Satterlee Club of Philadelphia: Senior</p> +
<p>The <em>Portland Daily Press</em>, Oct. 26, 1864 reports on a game between the Osceola and Active Clubs.</p>
<p>The Portland <em>Daily Eastern Argus</em>, Oct. 12, 1868 reports that recently the Actives and North Stars of Portland played on the Eons grounds.</p> +
3rd match game. Osceola 2nd nine +
<p>The Quincy <em>Daily Whig</em>, May 5, 1870, reports that on April 29th the Occidental Jr. beat the Actives 33-7. Gives a box score.</p> +
<p>The <em>Boston Daily Advertiser</em>, Aug. 1, 1866 has the Active of Quincy playing Dorchester. Same Aug. 15, 1866 has the Active playing the Mechanic of Quincy.</p> +
<p>The <em>Racine County Argus</em>, July 6, 1871 reports that the 2nd nine of the Actives of Racine defeated the Actives of Milwaukee 40-30.</p>
<p>The Daily Milwaukee News, May 24, 1870 have the Actives playing the Eckfords.</p> +
<p>A junior club? See Reading Times, Oct. 27, 1869</p> +
<p>The <em>Boston Daily Advertiser</em>, Sept. 17, 1866 has the following clubs forming a MA Rules Base Ball Assn.: Excelsior of Upton, Peabody of Danvers, Alpha of Ashland, Wyoma of Lynn, Liberty of Danvers, Active of Salem, Wencehuse of Lynn, Union of Danvers, Warren of South Danvers, Warren of Randolph, Kearsarge of Stoneham.</p> +
<p><span>"The members of the Active Base Ball Club met on the commons yesterday for practice. Messrs Craven and Packard are the organizers of the base ball club."</span></p>
<p><span><em>Savannah Daily News & Herald</em>, Oct. 10, 1867</span></p> +
<p>The St. Charles Valley Chronicle, July 5, 1889, reports that the Actives were formed in 1868.</p>
<p>The Aurora <em>Beacon</em>, July 8, 1869, reports that on July 4th in St. Charles, the Actives of Chicago played the Actives of St. Charles.</p>
<p>The Naperville <em>Clarion</em>, Sept. 21, 1870, under the headline "Base Ball," reports that the Naperville BBC beat the Actives of St. Charles 50 to 27 at St. Charles.</p>
<p>Same, Aug. 24, 1870 reports that Naperville was to play St. Charles.</p>
<p>The Chicago Tribune, Oct. 2, 1875, mentions the Socials of St. Charles playing Geneva in baseball at the Kane County Fair.</p> +
<p>This club attended the April 22, 1868 meeting of the state baseball association. See <em>Daily Missouri Republican</em>, April 23, 1868</p>
<p>Jeff Kittel's "This Game of Games"<em> </em>blog says this club existed in 1869.</p> +
<p>The Sterling Gazette, Aug. 26, 1871 reports that the Actives of Sterling, juniors, played the senior Spiders of Rock Falls. Gives a box score.</p> +
Summit Actives defeated a picked nine of Lyons 21-6 +
<p><em>New York Clipper</em>, July 13, 1867</p> +
<p>Thevenin is/was in Gallia County.</p> +
<p>—A base-ball match between the Union club, of Lansingburgh, and the Active club, of Troy, will probably take place on the play-ground at Batestown, on Wednesday afternoon of this week.</p>
<p>“Lansingburgh.” <em>Troy Daily Times.</em> August 31, 1864: 3 col 3.</p>
<p> </p> +
<p>—A base-ball match between the Union club, of Lansingburgh, and the Active club, of Troy, will probably take place on the play-ground at Batestown, on Wednesday afternoon of this week.</p><p>“Lansingburgh.” ''Troy Daily Times.'' August 31, 1864: 3 col 3.</p>
Batestown is a neighborhood in Troy +
<p>The Arizona Citizen (Tucson) Nov 30, 1877 reports that yesterday the Active BBC played on the grounds east of the school house.</p>
<p>The school house was on Congress St. east of Ochoa.</p> +
<p>Active Club of Utica: Junior</p>
<p>Eckford Club of Utica: Senior</p> +
<p>The Washington <em>National Republican</em>, Oct. 22, 1867 reports that the Active Club of Washington defeated the Oxford Club of Georgetown 31-13 at Vinegar Hill.</p> +
For city junior championship +
<p>The Chicago <em>Tribune</em>, Sept. 25, 1869 reports that the Active Sr. and Active Jr. clubs are to play each other.</p> +
<p>The <em>New Orleans Times Picayune</em>, Oct. 19, 1869 has the Active Star defeating the Comet Jr. 40-27.</p> +
<p>The Saratoga Springs <em>Daily Saratogian</em> Sept. 26, 1867, reported that the Hickorys of Saratoga visited the Actives of Ballston "on Monday," losing 67-14.</p> +
<p>The <em>Cedar Rapids Times</em>, Sept. 8, 1870, under the headline "Base Ball" reports that the Actives of Clinton beat the Westerns of Keokuk 69-23 on Friday, then beat the "Champion club of Iowa" at Des Moines 23-20.</p>
<p>It is unclear from the article whether "Champion" was the name of the club, or whether they were playing a club that claimed to be champion. Probably the latter, as the Actives of Clinton had defeated the Crescents of Des Moines and won the state baseball tournament held in Des Moines Aug. 31-Sept. 2, 1870.</p>
<p>The Chicago Tribune, July 6, 1870 reports that the Active of Clinton beat the Franklins of Mt. Vernon 43-25 on July 4th.</p>
<p>Clinton <em>Semi-Weekly Herald</em>, July 28, 1870 reports on a junior club in Clinton called the Actives. Perhaps the junior wing of the same club?</p> +
<p>The [NYC] <em>Spirit of the Times</em>, June 27, 1874: "The game of the plains.--June 7 the good people of Lincoln, Dakota were treated to a fine game of ball at the hands of the Actives of that place and a strong picked nine." The Actives won 17-10 in 9 innings.</p> +
<p>The [NYC] <em>Spirit of the Times</em>, June 27, 1874: "The game of the plains.--June 7 the good people of Lincoln, Dakota were treated to a fine game of ball at the hands of the Actives of that place and a strong picked nine." The Actives won 17-10 in 9 innings.</p> +
<p>The Fayetteville (TN) Observer, Aug. 12, 1875, notes the Actives of Lynchburg are to play the Hornets of Fayetteville “another game” “tomorrow evening.”</p>
<p>Same, May 25, 1875, reports that Fayetteville is to play Lynchburg next Saturday at Mulberry village.</p>
<p>Lynchburg TN (current pop. 5700) is about 80 miles NW of Chattanooga. Fayetteville (current pop. about 7000) is about 15 miles SW of Lynchburg.</p>
<p> </p> +
<p>The Chicago <em>Tribune</em>, Sept. 5, 1867, reports on the baseball tournament on the Rock Island County Agricultural Society Fair. Among the teams playing were the Scott of Davenport, Iowa, the Wapello, Quickstep, and Live Turtle of Rock Island, Peoria of Peoria, Actives of Moline, the Black Hawk of Camden Mills, the Olympics of Hampton, and the Athletics of Coal Valley.</p> +
<p>The San Francisco Daily Evening Bulletin May 12, 1873 says the Actives of Napa lost to the Silver Star of San Francisco 55 to 20 on Saturday.
</p><p>Napa, CA (1870 population about 1,900) is about 40 miles N of San Francisco.
</p> +
<p>Played at the Meadows, Toll Gate Turnpike</p> +
<p>San Francisco Daily Evening Bulletin, July 18, 1870 says the Actives of San Bernardino are challenging the Phoenix of Los Angeles.
</p><p>San Bernardino CA (1870 pop. about 1300) is about 55 miles E of Los Angeles.
</p><p><br/>
</p> +
<p>The <em>St. Louis Globe-Democrat</em>, July 22, 1875 reports that the Actives of Taylorville lost to the Socials of Morrisonville 42-10. Same Sept. 15, 1875 reports that in the rematch at Morrisonville, the Socials won 31-14.</p> +
<p>The Chicago <em>Inter Ocean</em>, Sept. 4, 1875, under the headline "Base Ball--The Sycamore Tournament" covers a five-team base ball tournament played at Sycamore, IL, 8-30 to 9-2. Among the teams competing were the Actives of Oregon.</p> +
<p>Both teams were comprised of soldiers with the Seventh Cavalry, U.S. Army, under the command of Lt. Col. George Custer.</p>
<p>The Actives represented Company L, and the Benteens Company H.</p>
<p>The Seventh Cavalry was on what was known as the Black Hills Expedition, having left their post at Fort Abraham Lincoln, near present day Bismarck, ND earlier in July, 1874.</p>
<p>Many of the soldiers/players participating in the game were either killed or wounded at the Battle of the Little Big Horn two years later in July, 1876.</p>
<p>Custer SD (1880 pop. about 270) is about 35 miles SW of Rapid City SD and about 30 miles E of the Wyoming border.</p> +
<p>See https://scvbb.org/tag/19th-century-baseball/</p> +
<p>The <em>New York Clipper</em>, Oct. 15, 1870, reports that on the 30th ult. the Unions of Fort Leavenworth beat the Ad Astra Club of Atchison 36-13.</p> +
<p>The <em>Utica Morning Herald</em>, June 10, 1861 reports that on June 11 at Watertown, the Adams BBC of Adams will play the Zouave BBC of Potsdam.</p> +
<p>Peverelly (1866) p. 470 says the Uncas of Norwich played the Adelphi of Norwich on Sept. 24, 1866</p> +
<p><span>Philadelphia City Item, Oct. 7, 1865. See Protoball 19C clippings.</span></p> +
<p>In 1866 a Dixie club composed of university students defeated Gate City of Atlanta. The <em>(Athens) Southern Watchman</em>, July 17, 1867 welcomed “the advent of Base Ball Clubs in our community.” Mentions three clubs already formed, the Franklin, Adelphia, and University (obviously formed around the University of Georgia students, the original name of the school being Franklin College). The Franklin has already played an intra-squad game, among spectators who knew “nothing” about the game.</p>
<p>Athens GA (1870 population about 4200) is about 60 miles NE of Atlanta.</p> +
<p>The <em>Boonville Weekly Register</em>, May 20, 1871 reports the Riverside Club of Evansville beat the Adelphia Club of Mt. Carmel, Ills., at Evansville last Wednesday 56-12.</p> +
<p>Military</p> +
<p>a new club</p> +
<p>The Adriatic lost to the Maple Leaf Oct. 29, 1870 at the Mystic Club grounds</p> +
<p>Bronx</p> +
<p>(deciding match)</p> +
<p>Adriatic (Newark) 42</p> <p>Lone Star (Jersey City, N.J.) 19</p> <p>(PSOT (3): “The Stars did not shine very bright.”)</p> +
<p>(return match from last season)</p> +
Adriatic 2nd nine +
<p>(scheduled)</p> +
<p>The <em>New York Clipper</em>, June 7, 1862</p>
<p>Reorganized 1865. See Philadelphia <em>Press</em>, Sept. 27, 1865</p> +
<p>Adriatic Club of Philadelphia: Senior</p><p>United Club of Philadelphia: Junior</p><p>Home team Adriatic Club of Philadelphia defeated away team United Club of Philadelphia</p> +
<p>Junior</p> +
<p>Junior</p> +
<p>(return match)</p> +
<p>Newark Daily Advertiser - 10/20/1857. Name changed to Niagara Club - Newark Daily Mercury, 9/24/1858
</p> +
<p>Originally the Wyoming Jr. BBC. Changed name to Adroit June 1866.</p> +
<p>The<em> Buffalo Commercial</em> June 11, 1869 gives the game between the Queen City and Adroit BBCs.</p> +
<p>Peverelly [page 113] reports that the Alert Club of Cumberland MD played the Advance, also of Cumberland, on 10/27/1866, winning 61-25.
</p> +
<p>The New York Clipper, Sept. 22, 1866</p>
<p> </p> +
<p>The Saturday Evening Press (of Menasha, WI) May 28, 1867 reports that the adjoining towns of Neenah and Menasha "are about to organize a base ball club in each town."</p>
<p>Same, July 23, 1867 says Neenah and Manasha are to play Saturday.</p>
<p>Same, Oct. 22, 1867; on Friday last, the Badgers of Appleton beat the Aegis of Menasha 42-40.</p> +
<p>Southwark is a neighborhood in south Philadelphia</p> +
<p>The Page County Democrat (of Clarinda), June 11, 1870 reports that on the 18th the Villisca and Clarinda BBCs will play. Same Aug. 12, 1870 calls them the Aerial BBC of Villisca.</p> +
<p>The Effingham <em>Democrat</em>, Aug. 5, 1873: "Base Ball is all the rage.... On next Saturday, the Plugs are to play the Aetna B.B.C. a match game.</p> +
<p>President - W. Klein</p>
<p>Treasurer - Samuel Sibbs</p>
<p>Field Captain - S. Sibbs</p>
<p>Secretary - Theo. Canton</p>
<p>Organized in the Thirteenth Ward</p> +
<p>The San Francisco <em>Chronicle</em>, Sept. 18, 1870: "A game of base ball was played September 15th between the first nine of the Opposition and the second nine of the Aetna Base Ball Club." The Opposition won by 7 runs.</p>
<p> </p> +
<p>This is different from the 1861 Aetna club.</p> +