Property:Block Notes
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E
G
<p>"Bass-ball" is another of the alternate spellings for baseball used occasionally in the 18th and 19th centuries.</p> +
J
<p>"Baste-ball" is one of several alternate spellings of baseball that are found in 18th and 19th century writings. "The Trifler" was a weekly satirical literary journal that ran for less than one year. Its authors, writing under the nom de plume Timothy Touchstone, were reputed to be two Cambridge students and two Oxford students, all under the age of 20.</p> +
E
<p>A date this late would tend to cast doubt on this being a reference to English baseball. Still, the context of the passage, and the fact that there is little evidence that American baseball was played in the west of England at the time this was written, suggest the possibility that the writer had English baseball in mind. Another possibility is that this referred to Welsh-style baseball as an exhibition match of that form of the game had been played at Teignmouth, Devonshire in 1907.</p> +
<p>A racist caricature baseball bank called "Home Town Darkies" was manufactured in the United States at about this time, but it seems unlikely that one of those would have found its way to a small, Buckinghamshire market town.</p> +
<p>A rainout. Presumably, this "base ball" would have been played on water.</p> +
<p>A regular crime wave.</p> +
<p>According to Wikipedia, "Darby and Joan" is a proverbial phrase for a married couple content to live a quiet shared life. The paired names have appeared many times in English and American literature, dating back at least to 1735.</p> +
<p>Again, this would have been a water baseball game.</p> +
<p>Almost all of the many British newspaper accounts of the 1874 tour of American baseball players stated that the game was an elaborated form of rounders. This is one of the few that recognized baseball as being originally English. "Grandmother," however, was exaggerating a bit about the game being "ancient," and it seems she was unaware that it was still being played.</p> +
G
<p>Although dated 1828, this work was published in mid-1827 and was reviewed in the October 13, 1827 issue of "The London Literary Gazette; and Journal of Belles Lettres, Arts, Sciences, &c.," p. 657. The story appears to have been set in southern Durham County along the River Tees.</p> +
E
<p>Although this report does not indicate that the church school was located in Easton, it seems likely it is the same as from the above entry. </p> +
<p>Although we cannot know what type of baseball was offered at this fair, it more than likely did not resemble formal American baseball.</p> +
<p>American baseball by organized clubs of adult men were already known in London by this date, but these players were young children at my guess is that they were playing the traditional form of the game.</p> +
<p>American baseball is a possibility here, although Windsor was smack in the middle of traditional English baseball territory.</p> +
<p>American baseball is a possibility, although there is no previous evidence it being played at this type of social event in this era.</p> +
<p>Among the several newspaper notices at the time of the American players' tour claiming baseball to be English in origin, this one is unique in asserting the game to be a product of Yorkshire and other northern counties. It is also distinctive in comparing rule differences between the English and American versions of baseball, and provides additional evidence that English baseball batters struck the ball with their bare hands.</p> +
M
<p>An amusing review of this book appeared in the Sept. 30, 1826 issue of "The London Literary Gazette; and Journal of Belles Lettres, Arts, Sciences, &c.": “We have heard of ladies changing their names, but never before met with a lady who had given up her name for initial letters as Miss M'Leod seems to have done. She dates her preface, however, from a place which sounds extremely matrimonial, viz. Fing-ring-ho Hall, Essex; and we dare hope that E.H.P is as happy as the late Miss M'Leod could wish her to be. So much for the author; and we have little more to say about the book. As drudging critics, we cannot be expected to know aught of Fashionable Life; and we can only guess that the Lords, Ladies, Honourable Mr.'s, Mistresses and Misses, Counts, Baronets and other great folks who figure in these pages, are drawn to the Life.”</p> +
E
<p>An example of English baseball and rounders played side by side. Interestingly, this entry and the one below comprise two strawberry-themed events held on the same day.</p> +
<p>Another example of baseball and rounders played side by side. Oakley, near Basingstoke, is less than three miles from Jane Austen's home village of Steventon.</p> +
<p>Another rare recognition that baseball was originally English. Likely the writer was wrong about English baseball dating from the 16th century—confusing it with prisoner's base as have many since—but was unusually well informed in knowing that the game was still being played in rural districts, including Suffolk. This letter is also the only known historical source to equate English baseball and tut-ball, and by locating the latter game in Cambridgeshire expands southward the territory where it was known to be played. Interestingly, the day after this letter was published, a short article appeared in a Yorkshire newspaper, the Bradford Observer, in which the writer appeared to have merged the contents of this letter with the letter in The Times from “Grandmother.” The Yorkshire article lifted whole phrases from this letter, such as the stuff about the 16th century and the Merrie Monarch, as well as the Lady Hervey quotation from The Times' letter.</p> +
<p>Apart from the oddity of the context, it was a bit unusual for an adult male Londoner to identify with baseball in that era.</p> +
<p>Apparently this letter was very persuasive, because the suggested fete was organized and held within a month's time (see entry below).</p> +
<p>Appears to have been traditional English baseball.</p> +
<p>As of writing this I have not yet located the two original documents cited by the writer of this article. However, the article has a strong ring of authenticity to it, including an explanation of how he came to be given the documents by the current governor. Charles LeBreton administered Cardiff Gaol between the years 1819 and 1821. If the facts in this article are borne out by the original documents, it would be the earliest mention of baseball in Wales, and also the earliest mention of the word rounders anywhere.</p> +
<p>At the time, Kingston-on-Thames was in Surrey; now it is part of greater London. The location of St. Ann's Hill was just five miles west of Walton-on-Thames where Prince Frederick played baseball nearly 150 years earlier.</p> +
<p>At various times located in the administrative districts of West Ham and East Ham, which at the time were incorporated into Essex, Little Ilford is now considered part of Greater London.</p> +
<p>Baseball played against a wall is unusual.</p> +
<p>Baseball was often referred to as “base” in Norfolk.</p> +
<p>Bushy Park is the second largest of London's Royal Parks, located in the borough of Richmond upon Thames. It was part of Surrey in the 19th century. Twickenham is a nearby town in the same borough.</p> +
J
<p>Cassandra Cooke's maiden name was Cassandra Leigh, the same as Jane Austen's mother (they were first cousins). The novel is set in the mid-17th century during the period of the English civil war; it is improbable that dialog from that era would include the word "base-ball," belying the claim in the novel's subtitle that it is "founded on facts."</p> +
E
<p>Chalvey was within Buckinghamshire in 1857, but was transferred to Berkshire in 1974. </p> +
<p>Cheshire was a little far afield for English baseball, but in this context and this early, American baseball was unlikely.</p> +
<p>Claydon Park comprised the grounds of Claydon House, a grand country house that was then occupied by the sister of Florence Nightengale, who often stayed there herself.</p> +
<p>Clear distinction between rounders and English baseball.</p> +
T
<p>Clearly, tut-ball was considered a separate game from rounders in this locale. The “five towns” referred to in the title are fictional stand-ins for the six towns of the Staffordshire potteries district.</p> +
E
<p>Croydon was then in Surrey but is now part of London. The article does not mention the nature of Mr. Allder's business. The game of “cocoanuts” mentioned in the article is somewhat obscure, and apparently involved players throwing objects (balls? rocks?) at cocoanuts attached to stakes from a distance of thirty feet and trying to get them to fall into small baskets underneath.</p> +
<p>Despite the unusual spelling, there is little doubt that the word “brace ball” is a reference to baseball. The same spelling showed up exactly one week later in the same newspaper, suggesting that a member of the staff was unfamiliar with the term and spelled it as he or she heard it. Given the setting, it seems likely that the game being played was English baseball, although it should be noted that Leicestershire was the only known location in England where clubs formed to play American-style baseball in the aftermath of the 1874 tour.</p> +
<p>Despite their similarities and proximity of dates, this outing was not the same as the one of Aug. 7th by the Free Methodist Sunday School. Every year, both the Band of Hope and Free Methodist Church in Framlingham held their treats within a week of each other, and seemed to have some overlap in membership and organization.</p> +
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<p>Elsewhere in the book, on page 213, the author comments that the game of "bat and ball" is an appropriate sport for little boys and girls.</p> +
E
<p>English baseball in Scotland; or, perhaps, Scottish baseball?</p> +
<p>English baseball so far north is unusual, but still it is unlikely that this was an American-style game.</p> +
<p>Even at this very late date, describing baseball as a pastime that is a delight of every true juvenile Briton makes it evident that this is a reference to the original English form of the game.</p> +
<p>Evidently, the writer of these words was so moved by what he/she witnessed that nothing less than this incredibly long sentence could convey his/her enthusiasm.</p> +
<p>From the context of the article it is apparent that the baseball incident reported by the witness took place in the early 19th century.</p> +
<p>From the setting and location, this would appear to be traditional English baseball.</p> +
<p>Given that this is a reminiscence of some 50 years earlier, there is no doubt the reference is to English baseball.</p> +
<p>Given the context, this was more likely English baseball than American</p> +
<p>Given the early date and the location, it was almost certainly English baseball that the jokester had in mind.</p> +
<p>Given the early date, it is almost certain that the game referred to was English baseball.</p> +
<p>Given the energetic effort to make fun of both the touring American baseball players and the way Londoners received them, it is hard to know how much credence to give Punch's description of Suffolk baseball. It may be that the writer, who was undoubtedly a London-based contributor to Punch, if not a staff person, had some knowledge of Suffolk baseball, although it is also possible that he simply invented a rustic version of the American game. The description makes no mention of soaking, which would have been part of Suffolk baseball, but does suggest that the striker could use a bare hand. This, coupled with the unusual awareness that English baseball was still played in Suffolk, gives the piece a touch of credibility. </p> +
<p>Given the formality of this election, it is possible the club was playing American-style baseball, notwithstanding that the original English game was still being practiced in Surrey and other southern English counties at the time. The Monotype Athletic Club appears to be have been succeeded long ago by the current Perrywood Sports and Social Club of Salfords.</p> +
<p>Given the late date, it might seem unlikely that these children were playing English-style baseball. Yet the setting in rural Suffolk, the two-word spelling of the word baseball, and the familiar motif of a church-affiliated children's group playing the game on a country outing, all support the possibility that this could be a rare surviving example of an otherwise extinct form of baseball.</p> +
<p>Hannington's was a major commercial enterprise with more than 200 employees, and was nicknamed “the Harrod's of Brighton.” It closed in 2001 after 200 years of operation. It is unlikely that the “weed” being enjoyed at the event was what the term now conveys, but more likely was cigars or some other form of tobacco.</p> +
<p>I'm not sure how to interpret the translation.</p> +
<p>Identifying baseball as a “favourite game” of the soldiers raises a question of whether this would be the original Engish game or the American version, although there are no specific indicators pointing to the latter.</p> +
<p>If this mind-boggling assertion of 16th century baseball seems too good to be true, be assured that it is. Edward VI, the young, highly intelligent son of Henry VII did, indeed, keep a detailed journal during his short life (he died from pneumonia at the age of 15). The journal entries that Rev. Blore interpreted as baseball were entered by Edward on two days in the year 1550. The first, on March 31st, read: “A chaleng made by me that I, with 16 of my chaumbre, shuld runne at base, shote, and rune at ring with any 17 of my servauntes, gentlemen in the court.” The outcome of the challenge was revealed the next day, April 1st: “The first day of the chaleng at base, or running, the King wane.” Plainly, these entries make reference to the game of prisoner's base, not baseball. Reverend Blore would not be the first nor the last to get the two confused. </p> +
<p>Illustrating the irregularity of the era's spelling standards, Miss Mitford's works of the 1820's and 30's spell baseball variously as "baseball" (one word), "base-ball" (hyphenated), and "bass-ball."</p> +
<p>In January, 1886, a similar reference to the former use of the church wall for baseball appeared in a scholarly article in the Journal of the Cambrian Archæological Association. See below.</p> +
<p>In more recent times, a number of popular movies were filmed in Burnham Beeches, including Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves; the Crying Game; First Knight; Goldfinger; the Princess Bride; and two of the Harry Potter films. </p> +
<p>It is a bit unusual to find English baseball played in Scotland</p> +
J
<p>It is believed that Austen initially drafted the work that would become Northanger Abbey in the years 1798 and 1799, but it was not published until after her death (in conjunction with Persuasion). Austen in her younger days often visited her mother's first cousin, Cassandra Cooke, who also used the term baseball in her writings. In addition, one of Austen's childhood playmates in rural Hampshire County was Mary Russell, the mother of writer Mary Russell Mitford who also mentioned baseball in her works.</p> +
E
<p>It is highly likely that "base" here refers to baseball, as prisoners base by this date was nearly always referred to by its full name, and because there was an established history of baseball being played in East Anglia.</p> +
<p>It is likely that "base" in this instance refers to baseball, as the game of prisoners' base had somewhat faded in popularity by this date. Also, the writer was consistent in not appending the word "ball" to either "base" or "trap."</p> +
<p>It is not at all clear that the writer had English baseball in mind, but the game had a history on the island the American game had no documented history there at such an early date.</p> +
<p>It is not at all clear what the writer meant by stating that “trap” (presumably trap-ball) includes cricket, baseball and kiss-in-the-ring. Given that he put the word in quotes, it may have been his attempt at a pun, perhaps implying that the visitors were trapped by the fun of playing these games. Or not. In any case, he exhibited some democratic enthusiasm by stating that these “old English pastimes” were enjoyed by all levels of society.</p> +
<p>It is not certain whether the base-ball matches planned for the fete were to be English baseball, as the game was not known to be played in Merseyside and the touring American players had visited the area seven weeks earlier.</p> +
<p>It is not clear how the “Base-ball Pit” got its name.</p> +
<p>It is not clear what is meant by the wording “rounders or base-ball,” whether the writer intended to indicate that the words represented two names for the same game, or that attendees could choose between the two.</p> +
B
<p>It is not quite clear whether use of the word “ball-bias” was intentional or whether the writer or editor confused it with baseball. This very same newspaper article was reprinted 30 years later, on Jan. 8, 1887, in the Hastings and St. Leonards Observer, and the reprinted article is identical in all respects to the 1856 original excepting that the word "ball-bias" was changed to "base-ball." So which was correct?</p> +
E
<p>It is notable that “base ball” and rounders are mentioned side-by-side, re-confirming they were separate games. </p> +
<p>It is possible that “bat-ball base” may refer to trap-ball, rather than baseball, because of the mention of a bat and because the ball is described as being hard and made of wood.</p> +
<p>It is probable they were playing English baseball as the game had a long history in Maidenhead and environs.</p> +
<p>It is quite startling that an ad for baseballs would appear in an 1866 English newspaper. It is improbable that these baseballs would have been for the American version of the game, as the earliest known appearance anywhere in Britain of that form was in northern Scotland in 1870. it is more likely these balls were for English-style baseball, but even that is surprising since there is no evidence the English game was ever organized or used standardized or commercially manufactured equipment.</p> +
<p>It is quite unexpected that baseball of any sort would be played at a Belgian festival at such an early date; it is at least as likely that this would be English baseball as American.</p> +
<p>It is unclear to me why the songwriter chose to invoke the term "base ball" in this context, although it is worth noting that elsewhere, his lyrics mention other sports, including lawn tennis, polo and cricket. The phrase -- "never mind your sisters, nor your cousins, nor your aunts" -- was an homage to a similar line in Gilbert and Sullivan's popular operetta HMS Pinafore, which had completed its initial run of 571 performances only two months prior to the publication of "Polling." The magazine "Fun" was a rival to the better known "Punch," appealing to a lower middle class audience as compared with Punch's upper class readership.</p> +
<p>It would seem the base-ball referred to here was English baseball, given that the ball was being thrown at a runner between bases (soaking), a feature that would not be associated with American baseball by a British writer of the period.</p> +
<p>It's not clear to me whether “sports in which both sexes could take part” included baseball, or whether the ladies played it without men. This is late for English baseball but it seems more likely than American style, given the context.</p> +
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<p>Jane Haldimand Marcet was a groundbreaking author who wrote a series of highly popular physics, chemistry, and economics text books aimed at female students that were up-to-date and on the mark with their subject matter, yet also easy to read.</p> +
E
<p>Keith is a small town in northeastern Scotland that was located in the former historic county of Banffshire, but since 1975 has been part of the Moray council area. The baseball played on this occasion was likely some form of English baseball, given the nature of the event and the youth of the players.</p> +
<p>Late, but possibly English baseball because the players were women.</p> +
<p>Like the above entry, this is unusual both in its description of baseball as an against-the-wall game and in its placement of English baseball so far to the west.</p> +
<p>Maria Louise Ramé was an English novelist who wrote under the pen name Ouida. She had 40 works published, including the novel Under Two Flags. Several years' worth of her youthful journals were published among the memoirs of Henry G. Huntington, who was a shameless name dropper. Huntington wrote in 1911 that the original journals were the property of W. Campbell Spence of Florence, but their current whereabouts are unknown. Ms. Ramé was born and raised in Bury St. Edmonds. The picnic location she chose is meaningful in that Ickworth Park then and now surrounds Ickworth House, the hereditary estate of the Hervey family and home for many years of Lady Mary Hervey, author of the well-known 1748 letter mentioning baseball.</p> +
<p>Mentions of baseball in this type of context and appearing in London publications are normally allusions to the American game, but considering that the writer of this example was obviously a woman, and that her complaint of too much force implies the presence of soaking, I suggest that this, more likely than not, was a reference to the original English game.</p> +
<p>Mr. Reed was incorrect in placing baseball in the 16th century and in claiming Shakespeare alluded to it. He most likely was confusing baseball with prisoners base.</p> +
<p>Mrs. Hubback was born Catherine Austen. She was the niece of Jane Austen, the daughter of Jane's brother Francis. The Younger Sister is based upon Jane Austen's unfinished manuscript The Watsons which Catherine Hubback took upon herself to complete. By mentioning baseball she becomes the third member of the novel-writing Leigh/Austen family to do so. The story is set in an unnamed village in Surrey, possibly Dorking.</p> +
"
<p>No known copies of the 1744 edition have survived. The earliest known copy is a 1760 10th edition in the British Library; it is assumed, but not certain, that the base-ball page originated with the 1744 edition. The MCC Cricket Museum in London owns a children's handkerchief printed with images from A Little Pretty Pocket-book. It includes the base-ball poem and image, but the latter is a redrawn copy of the one that appears in the book. The handkerchief is undated but appears to date from the 18th century. John Newbery was born and raised in the small Berkshire village of Waltham St. Lawrence.</p> +
P
<p>Notwithstanding their considerable similarities, this was not the same event as the one reported in the same newspaper a day earlier; the parties were difference and Warkworth is a good eight miles distant from Alnwick. The game “tarsey” is the same the one called tersie above. “The widow” is a children's singing game.</p> +
E
<p>Oakley Hall, the site of this event, was built in 1795 by the Branston family. Jane Austen became close friends with the Branstons and visited them often when she was living with her parents at the rectory in Steventon, only three miles away</p> +
<p>Of significance because it confirms that English baseball was played without a bat.</p> +
<p>One more of the few examples of a Briton pointing out that baseball--in the wake of the tour of American players--was originally English.</p> +
<p>Possibly American baseball, although there is little evidence it had replaced the original English version in Bucks by that date</p> +
<p>References to English baseball appeared often in this area of Buckinghamshire, but this is the only documented example where it was played side by side with rounders.</p> +
<p>Seems likely to be English baseball since it was played by “those who were not able to wield the racquet.”</p> +
<p>Shropshire was not a typical venue for English baseball. It is also true that Ludlow was not far distant from some of the first clubs organized to play American style baseball in England. Yet there is no evidence that children had begun playing the American game this early.</p> +
<p>Slough, too, was formerly part of Buckinghamshire, but is now part of Berkshire.</p> +
<p>Suffolk was one of the last bastions of English baseball.</p> +
<p>Sutton was then in Surrey but is now part of London. It is interesting to note that apparently, in this instance, baseball was not played by the students themselves but by the superintendent and “friends” of the scholars, who, presumably, were adults or older boys who had previously attended the school. This admits to the small possibility that the baseball played may have been American-style.</p> +
P
<p>Tarzey?</p> +