Baseball in Cincinnati: A History

baseball In Cincinnati, continued...

Chapter 3

HOW THE FAMOUS CINCINNATI REDS OF 1868 WERE ORGANIZED—
ADOPTION OF THE FIRST UNIFORMS OF THE
CLUB-SCORES OF 1868.

The record of the Cincinnati Baseball Club in the years of the latter '60s is one in which the citizens of Cincinnati take a local pride. The story of the old club is rehearsed time and again by their children and grandchildren in the present generation with the same enthusiasm as that which animated the old players themselves.

With many, to be a son of the "Old Red Stockings" appears to be as distinctive an honor as to be a Son of the Revolution or member of any other society of like character. Those members still living revive their memories and tell again the story of triumph with reminiscent pleasure.

By the middle of 1867 the influence of baseball was being very keenly felt in every direction, and new clubs were forming all around the vicinity of the city. Newport, Covington and Dayton, Ky., had their nines, while many of the suburbs were proud possessors of local clubs; namely, Avondale, Walnut Hills, Clifton, Riverside and Mt. Auburn. The fever had caught the younger element very strongly.

Dr. John Draper, afterwards clerk in the Police Department, was the captain and catcher of the first game of baseball ever played west of Pittsburg, when with the Live Oaks, in 1860. He umpired the first game of baseball in Cincinnati, and during the years 1866 to 1870 umpired more match games of ball than any man in the West. He was one of the first delegates from Cincinnati to the National Association of Baseball Players at the annual convention held in New York at Clinton Hall, December 12, 1866, when he represented the Live Oaks, and was the first man from Ohio and the Central States to be appointed on a national committee—the Committee on Rules. He resigned from the Live Oak Baseball Club in 1867 and joined the Cincinnati Club. The Live Oak Club then played on the grounds of the Cincinnati Club.

FORMATION OF THE CINCINNATI JUNIOR NINES.
THE YOUNGSTERS OF THOSE DAYS WERE AS ACTIVE AND
ENTHUSIASTIC AS THE LADS OF THE PRESENT TIME.

It was in the latter part of 1867 that Dr. John Draper organized what was then known as the Cincinnati Juniors. These were all boys ranging in age from fifteen to twenty, and who wore the same uniform as the Cincinnati Baseball Club, and played frequently upon the latter's grounds.

The Junior Club included about twenty-five or thirty boys, who had divided themselves into two nines. One was composed of the older lads and the other of the younger. Among the players of the Juniors were to be found :

From a recent photo JOHN V. ELLARD, Captain and Center Field, Cincinnati Junior Baseball Team, 1868-70.

William H. Stewart, John V. Ellard, Charles Dean, Oscar Rammelsberg, Dr. E. W. Walker, George Chenowith, George A. Wiltsee, William Jones, Ad. R. Roll, S. Slocum, James Gladden, Pierce Butler, Oak Taylor, Joseph L. Marty, Frank Roth, Julius Hargrave, John Griffith, Charles A. Marsh, Edward Bradford, Smiley Walker, George "Scoop" Draper, Miller Outcalt, Edward H. Marsh, 011ie McGrew, Peregren " Pergy" Snodgrass, Harry Colbern, Albert Daggett, John Cameron, Charles Davis, Geo. W. Potter, Everett W. Hall, George Prather and James Maley.

The older nine of the Cincinnati Juniors was made up of the following players :
Harry Colbern—Catcher.
Frank Roth—Pitcher
William Cottle—Shortstop
George Chenowith—First Base
Joseph L. Marty—Second Base
William Jones—Third Base
William H. Stewart—Right Field
John V. Ellard—Center Field and Captain
Oscar Rammelsberg—Left Field

William H. Stewart was the secretary of the nine, and John V. Ellard was the captain. The above was the regular nine, but when any were absent some of the other boys would take their places. Among them were Julius Hargrave, Edward Bradford, Geo. A. Wiltsee and Peregren Snodgrass, all of whom were excellent players. Joseph Marty acted as captain at one time.

The younger nine of the Cincinnati Juniors played continuously for three years without a change among their players, and scored over seventy-five games. It was composed of the following players :
Southey Holmes—Catcher
James Shannon—First Base
George W. Draper—Shortstop
Edward Dunlap—Pitcher and Captain
Miller Outcalt—Second Base
Frank Dunlap—Third Base
Joe Blair—Left Field
Edward H. Marsh—Center Field
Ollie McGrew—Right Field

Standing—Frank Dunlap, 3B; Joe Blair, LF; Edward H. Marsh, CF; Miller Outcalt, 2B. Sitting—George Draper, SS; Ollie McGrew, RF; Ed Dunlap, P; Southey Homes, C; Jas. Shannon, 1B. CINCINNATI JUNIOR BASEBALL TEAM OF 1868 From an original photo taken at the time

George Draper was given the familiar name of "Scoop," from the manner in which he fielded a ball. In fielding the ball he would always push his hands forward in a scooping manner to meet it.

These boys played together for three years with wonderful success, challenging every club of youngsters around. In the year 1869 they played all the clubs of boys within Hamilton County, O., and Kenton and Campbell Counties, in Kentucky, and never lost a game.

Miller Outcalt played as pretty a game at second base as McPhee ever did. George Draper was so good at shortstop that at nineteen years of age he was offered a fine salary by the management of one of the strongest clubs in the country to go with it and act in that capacity, but his brother, Dr. Draper, would not consent to have him go. Southey Holmes was a fine catcher, and could get as close to the bat and throw a ball as quickly awl as correctly as any of them. Edward II. Marsh, as center fielder, was an excellent player.

Of this Junior nine, but four are living as we go to print. They are Joseph Blair, the Hamilton County recorder; Edward H. Marsh, a wealthy capitalist of Sandusky; Miller Outcalt, our prominent and efficient attorney, and Ollie McGrew. This Cincinnati Junior nine also played others outside of the State, as junior nines were being formed in all parts of the country.

There was also a junior nine among the Buckeye Baseball Club which had some very good players among the boys. They adopted the same uniform as the Buckeye Club, which was the same as the Cincinnati Club; namely, white flannel suits and red stockings, but instead of the letter C on their shirts they had the letter B.

Just as soon as the red stockings came into use by the Cincinnati Club, it seemed that every club that was formed here at that time adopted them.
The Buckeye Juniors were frequently matched against the Cincinnati Juniors, but most of the time the latter were just a little too strong for the former.

BUCKEYE JUNIORS.
Charles C. McBrair—Right Field
—House—Catcher
—Neiman—Pitcher
—Trahy—Shortstop
Charles Ulmer—First Base
— Dickman—Second Base
— O'Dowd—Third Base
Harry Crane—Left Field
—Sunman—Center Field

There were also other nines of youngsters located in our different suburbs during the latter sixties. Prominent among them was the Pickwick Baseball Club, of Walnut Hills. This club was organized in the fall of 1867, and had the reputation of defeating every nine of boys with whom they contested, with the exception of the Cincinnati Juniors, for these boys never made a match with the Pickwicks. This club existed from 1867 to 1872, when, at that time, many of the boys were obliged to go to the Eastern colleges, thus breaking up the club. Chas. A. Gould was the secretary of the club.

One of the most interesting games played by the Pickwicks was in the spring of 1868, when they were matched with the first nine of the Fairmount Baseball Club, of Fairmount. The score in the ninth inning stood 35 to 35, and when the tenth inning started great enthusiasm was displayed on both sides, but the Pickwicks came out victorious in a score of 51 to 36. We give below the players on each side, with the score made on that day :

PICKWICKS.
Preach Marsh—Pitcher
Thomas Wheelright—Right Field
Thomas Macavoy—Center Field
Charles A. Gould—Second Base
Willis Kemper—First Base
Nap Trenner—Left Field
Harry Hattersley—Catcher
Chas. Van—Shortstop
Dick George—Third Base

FAIRMOUNTS.
Golden—Pitcher
Richards—Right Field
Merryweather—Center Field
Chandler—Second Base
Moor—First Base
Taggert—Left Field
Beasley—Catcher
Stewart—Shortstop
Minor—Third Base

The game lasted 2 hours and 40 minutes. Douglas Allison, of the Cincinnati Club, was the umpire, and Messrs. Francisco and Lang were the scorers.
  Innings    1  2 3 4 5  6 7 8 9 10
  Pickwicks  0 14 5 2 2  1 5 2 4 16-51
  Falrmounts 0  8 6 0 0 10 1 2 8  1-36

Joe Griffith and William Seeds were also good players of the Pickwick Club. The regular grounds of the club were called the River Hill Grounds, and were located where the residences of Mr. Thomas P. Egan, Mr. Lawrence Maxwell and Judge Howard Ferris now stand.

Mount Auburn fell into line with her nine of boys, which was composed of a lot of youngsters whose enthusiasm in the game was as unbounded as that of the members of the senior organizations. Their grounds were located on the present site of the Riding Club, and near where the catcher stood was a pond where the boys would alternate swimming with a game of baseball. The ball would frequently fall into the pond, end Mel Strobridge, the catcher, would often practice a great fishing feat in reaching after it with a long pole. The first bat used by the boys was of home manufacture, having been made out of an old wagon shaft procured from the neighboring blacksmith shop. It was a good one, nevertheless, for it lasted a long while. The boys, wore the same uniform as the Cincinnati Baseball Club. The team of the Mount Auburn Baseball Club was :

From a recent photo GEORGE H. KOLKER, Third Baseman, Mt. Auburn Baseball Club, 1868.

Cliff Williams—Pitcher
J. Melvin Strobridge—Catcher
Oliver Kinsey—Shortstop
Albert Whetstone—Center Field
Nelson Perry—Second Base
George Kolker—Third Base
Rufus B. Smith—Right Field
Charles L. Burgoyne—Left Field
William M. Allen—First Base and Captain

There were some other good players connected with the Mount Auburn Baseball Club, including William H. Taft, our Secretary of War; Stewart Shillito, C. A. Bennett, R. Douglas, S. Douglas and Thomas Allen.

[[BaseballChronology note: Yes, he is referring to future President Taft.]]

The Avondale youngsters were so enthusiastic over the game of baseball that enough were gathered together in that village to form two nines. One was made up of the younger element and one of the older. Their grounds were located about where the new Jewish Temple now stands, and many were the exciting games played there.

Lewis W. Irwin was the captain of the older nine, and was considered the heaviest batter among the boys at that time. He could use either his left or right hand with equal dexterity, and in this way he puzzled the pitcher of the contesting nine to such an extent, and batted the ball with such force, that a home run was often placed to his credit. John C. Hart was also an excellent player.

The older nine of the Avondale boys had for their players:
J. Wayne Neff—Pitcher
William Greenwood—Catcher
John C. Hart—Shortstop
Dan O'Connell—First Base
James Campbell—Second Base
Lewis W. Irwin—Third Base and Captain
Samuel Hart—Right Field
George Cloon—Center Field
Jordon P. Hart—Left Field

From a recent photo EDWARD H. MARSH, Center fielder, Cincinnati Junior Baseball Team, 1868.

The younger nine of Avondale boys had for their players:
Charles Dury—Pitcher and Captain
Henry Dury—Catcher
Frank Phipps—Shortstop
William Woodward—First Base
Charles Evans—Second Base
George Peachey—Third Base
George Haven—Left Field
George Winston—Right Field
W. O. Coffin—Center Field

Clifton was not behind with her young nine of baseball fans. They were all excellent and enthusiastic players, and the team was composed of the following boys:

William McAlpin—Pitcher
John C. Sherlock—Catcher
George Smith—Shortstop
Wilson Smith—First Base
Charles H. Resor—Third Base
Edward Andrews—Second Base and Captain
Albert Bennett—Left Field
James Keyes—Center Field
Charles Wells—Right Field

The other members of the club were: John Brown, William Brotherton, H. Keyes, H. Von Phul, H. Hughes, Thomas Barclay.

The Clifton boys often played with the lads on the other hilltops, and their scores were very creditable.

There was also a nine of boys on East Walnut Hills, who called themselves the Woodburn Baseball Club, and whose grounds were near the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Chapel Street. Many of the Junior nines from the other suburbs and from the city often came to these grounds to play the Wood-burns. Among the players were: E. W. Walker, George H. Kolker, Dick George, Salsbury French, Joseph Griffith, — Ralfey.

At the twelfth convention of the National Association of Baseball Players, held in Philadelphia, December 11 and 12, 1867, the junior clubs of the country were represented by delegates. In looking over the minutes of the two days' session, we find a reference to them in the following words: "The great majority of delegates present were gentlemen of character and influence, who would have reflected credit on any legislative assemblage of the kind in the country."

The Ohio Federation of the National Association was organized September 25, 1867, with Aaron B. Champion, President, and Frank Harvey, Secretary, and the delegates to the convention that year were George F. Sands and J. A. Scarrit, who represented forty-two clubs in Ohio, fourteen of which were in Cincinnati.

During the winter of 1867-'68 the grounds of the Cincinnati Baseball Club were flooded for skating purposes, and it was here that the first game of baseball was played on skates. The interest in baseball was so great then that even the winter did not lessen the enthusiasm in the game.

MEN ON THE TEAM.

In the latter part of 1867 the Cincinnati Club formed a regularly organized nine to play throughout the coming year, and it was known as the first nine. This was composed of the following players:

From a recent photo J. WILLIAM JOHNSON, Right fielder, Cincinnati Baseball Club, 1868.

The above were the regular positions of the players, but occasionally they would change about a little.

The origin of the uniform of the Cincinnati Baseball Club is not generally known. When baseball first started, the players adopted a uniform similar to that used by the cricket clubs —shirt, cap and long trousers. At a meeting held in the office of Aaron B. Champion, then at 75 West Third Street, the subject of uniform was discussed and a number of designs were submitted. That designed and submitted by George B. Ellard, namely, short white flannel trousers, white flannel shirt and red stockings, was finally accepted and adopted, hence the origin of the name of the club. As the long red stockings were necessarily made to order, they were quite expensive, for they were up to that time unknown.

WOMAN MADE FIRST UNIFORMS.

The orders for the manufacture of the uniforms for the nines of 1867-'68-'69-'70 were given by Mr. Ellard to Mrs. Bertha Bertram, who at that time conducted a tailoring establishment on Elm Street, near Elder. Mrs. Bertram has the distinction of making the first uniforms that were ever worn by members of the Cincinnati Baseball Club, the style of which has been changed but very little up to the present day. She also made the uniforms for other clubs which came into existence here during the seventies and early eighties, among which were the Ravens, Shamrocks, Stars, Riversides, Mutuals (of Cumminsville), and many others.

It will be interesting to note just at this point the style of the uniforms used by other clubs in the country; one in particular which we have in mind is that of the Louisville Baseball Club, of Louisville, Ky. This club was organized April 10, 1865, and the uniform which they adopted and used for some time, consisted of a grey flannel shirt, trimmed with scarlet; black and white check cap, blue jeans pants and black patent leather belt.

A GREAT BASE RUNNER.

THE NEW YORK CLIPPER MEDAL Won by J. William Johnson. Being judged the best player in his position among all the country in 1868.

In 1868 the New York Clipper offered nine very handsome gold medals, to be given among those players of all the clubs in the country who made the best averages in their respective positions. The Cincinnati Club captured three of them, being awarded to J. Hatfield, as left fielder; Fred Waterman, as third baseman, and J. William Johnson, the well-known and popular attorney of our city, as right fielder. Mr. Johnson was considered the swiftest runner on the bases in his day, and held the record of running around the four bases in fourteen and a half seconds. Mr. Berthong, the catcher and right fielder of the Nationals, was the only one in the country to excel Mr. Johnson's time, his being just the fraction of a second under Mr. Johnson's. One would hardly believe to-day, when looking at the little, good-natured, gray-haired lawyer, as he sits at his desk in the Fourth National Bank Building, that he held the enviable record of never having been put out while stealing a base, and on several occasions succeeded in stealing home from third. He could fill the position of second or third base, as well as right field, with equal dexterity and success.

A WONDERFUL BALL THROWER.

J. V. B. Hatfield, the great left fielder and catcher of the Cincinnati Club, was a wonderful thrower. One day upon the grounds he threw a baseball over the field six times, three times with the wind and three times against, covering the distances respectively of 123, 129 and 132 yards, and 127, 127 and 126 yards. The judges of the throws were "Doc" John Draper, at the point of throwing, and J. C. How and Harry Wright, where the ball dropped. The measurements were taken by Harry Wright and George B. Ellard. Others afterwards took the measurements to verify those taken officially by Wright and Ellard.

This record stood for some time, but in October of 1872, upon the Union Grounds in Brooklyn, Hatfield threw the ball a distance of 133 yards, 1 foot and 7½ inches.

In September and October of 1888, there was a contest given in Cincinnati, under the auspices of the Cincinnati Enquirer, when Ed. W. Williamson threw a ball the distance of 133 yards and 11 inches, just 8½ inches under that made by Hatfield.

The games of 1868 were exceedingly interesting, and one especially is called to mind, played August 26, with the Unions, of Morrisania, N. Y. The wildest enthusiasm prevailed among the spectators at this game, the innings being so close that it was difficult to foresee who would win. The game finally ended with a score of 13 to 12, in the Reds' favor. The excitement of the ladies present reached its highest pitch, handkerchiefs were waved, and cheer upon cheer from the fair sex went forth as each inning was decided. One enthusiastic woman present waved her parasol high in the air, and, not noticing the close proximity of a gentleman's head in front of her, brought it down with such force upon his cranium that the handle brake, leaving her parasol a wreck and tears of pain welling up in the eyes of her victim. "Oh, pardon me," she cried, in dismay. "Do not mention it," he replied, with gallantry; "I suffer for a good cause." The men recklessly threw their hats in the field, to see them trodden under foot, with not a sign of regret. It was estimated that there were 10,000 people present, one-half of whom were ladies, the wives, mothers, sisters and sweethearts of the bays all wanting the Reds to win, as all felt a self-interest in the game. It was not an uncommon occurrence to see a hundred or more private
carriages present on the grounds at these early games. The club that year was occupying grounds just back of Lincoln Park, having moved from its previous ones at the foot of Richmond Street the latter part of 1867, as these new grounds were more convenient to the horse cars, which then ran in front of the park, in Freeman Street. These grounds were leased at an annual rental of $2,000.

GROWTH OF THE SPORT.

From his last photo taken in 1888. NICHOLAS LONGWORTH, Member, Cincinnati Baseball Club, 1866-71

The interest in the various games had increased to such an extent that the attendance was becoming larger at each game played. It was found necessary to increase the seating capacity, and plans were submitted to erect a large octagonal building at the southeast corner of the grounds. Those designed by James McLaughlin, the architect, were accepted, and the building was erected at a cost of $2,350.

As the Cincinnati Club did not require its grounds every day in the week, upon those days when they were not used the privilege of playing on the grounds was rented out to various other local clubs at a rental of $25 per month.

The clubs that used them were the Live Oaks, the Charter Oak, the Great Western and the Buckeye. When any local club had a game with the Cincinnati Club on its grounds they were given one-third of the net receipts, and when an Eastern or outside club came to play they were allowed one-half of the net receipts.

Another game which is called to mind was played August 5, 1868, with the Hickory Baseball Club, of McConnelsville, O. This club was the pride of Morgan County, and it was considered by its admirers, no less than in its own estimation, the toughest timber that ever stepped over the grassy field. The game was played here, and just before it was called the catcher of the Hickorys, whose height was about six feet four, and whose hair was as fine a carrot color as any one wished to see, asked for the information that should he knock a ball over the fence would he be allowed a home run.

He was answered in the affirmative, when a broad grin spread over his face, which said as much, "What easy marks we have run against." When the game ended it was plainly noticeable that this tall Herculean wonder never scored a run, having struck out the first two times he went to the bat. The pitcher of that famous nine was also a very bright individual. When a man was stealing second from first, while the ball was in his hands, he would throw it to second backwards without looking around; it invariably went wide of its mark and runners reached second safely. The game resulted in a score of 59 to 16 in favor of the Reds. The bat used in these early games was about the same as it is now and the ball was a trifle larger, but it contained two and one-half ounces of rubber, and it was probably owing to this cause that the scores were larger than those made to-day. The diamond was the same size, but the field was of greater dimensions. The standard ball of '68 was made by a man named Ross, whose establishment was in Brooklyn, N. Y. They were all hand-made, and cost $2.50 each, while a good bat would cost $1.50.

Not only did the game of baseball inspire the Cincinnati Club to achieve the most wonderful scores in the game, but it stimulated the poetic muse to give expression to verses of more than ordinary merit. Many, many years before "Casey at the Bat" had ever appeared, the divine afflatus welled up in the brain of a member of the Cincinnati Baseball Club in the latter sixties, and the following poem appeared in many of the papers of the time, showing the high esteem in which the players whose names are mentioned were held :

THE CINCINNATI BASEBALL CLUB SONG.
BY A MEMBER.

(Air—"Bonnie Blue Flag.")

We are a band of baseball players
    From "Cincinnati City;"
We come to toss the ball around,
    And sing to you our ditty.
And if you listen to our song
    We are about to sing,
We'll tell you all about baseball,
    And make the welkin ring.

                Chorus.
    Hurrah! Hurrah!
        For the noble game, hurrah!
    "Red Stockings" all will toss the ball,
        And shout our loud hurrah.
       

Our Captain is a goodly man,
    And Harry is his name;
Whate'er he does, 'tis always "Wright,"
    So says the voice of fame.
And as the Pitcher of our nine,
    We think he can't be beat;
In many a fight, old Harry Wright
    Has saved us from defeat.

                Chorus.

The man who catches Harry's balls,
    It passes all belief,
He's so expert in catching "fouls,"
    We have dubbed him "chicken thief."
And if a player's on his first,
    He'd better hold it fast;
With "Johnny Hat" behind the bat,
    The balls are seldom passed.

                Chorus.

In many a game that we have played,
    We've needed a First Base,
But now our opponents will find
    The "basket" in its place.
And if you think he "muffs" the balls,
    Sent into him red hot,
You'll soon be fooled by "Charlie Gould,"
    And find he "muffs" them not.

                Chorus.

We travel on to Second Base,
    And Brainard there is found;
He beats the world in catching "flies,"
    And covering the ground.
And as the Pitcher of our nine,
    Whene'er 'tis best to change,
The man will find that plays behind,
    That "Asa" has the range.

                Chorus.

And lest the boys should thirsty get
    When after balls they've ran,
We take with us, where'er we go,
    A jolly "Waterman."
Upon Third Base he stops hot balls,
    And sends them in so fine,
That all have said that jolly "Fred"
    Is home upon the nine.

                Chorus.

Our Shortstop is a man of worth,
    We hope he'll never die;
He stops all balls that come to him;
    He's grim death on the "fly."
The many deeds he has performed,
    We will not here relate,
But tell you now that "Johnny How"
    As a player is first-rate.

                Chorus.

The infield now is traveled o'er;
    The out comes next in line,
And "Moses Grant" is brought to view,
    Right Fielder in our nine.
He knows the place, he plays right well,
    To none the palm he'll yield;
He's bound you shan't catch "Moses Grant"
    A "napping" in right field.

                Chorus.

There is a man upon our nine,
    To him a verse we'll sing;
You all have heard of him before,
    His name is Rufus King.
Just now he plays as Center Field,
    Sometimes as Second Base;
We all have proof that merry "Ruf"
    Is worthy of the place.

                Chorus.

Come, fill your glasses to the brim
    With joyous, sparkling wine,
And drink a toast to all that's "Left"
    Of the 'riginal First Nine.
Of all the men who first essayed
    Upon that nine to play,
There's only one, and that's "Johnson,"
    Who holds a place to-day.

                Chorus.

To win the game we play to-day,
    We earnestly shall try,
And hope our expectations won't
    Be captured on the "fly."
We shall expect a quick return
    To toss the ball around;
We'll welcome all to games of ball
    Upon our "Union Ground."

                Chorus.

Standing—Asa Brainard, P & 2B; J. William Johnson, RF & LF; J.V.B. Hatfield C & LF; Rufus King, CF; John C. Howe, SS. Sitting—Harry Wright, P; Fred Waterman, 3B; Chas. H. Gould, 1B; Moses Grant, RF. CINCINNATI BASEBALL TEAM OF 1868. From an original photo taken by Van Loo on the grounds at the time.

HARRY WRIGHT MARRIED.

The date of September 10, 1868, marked the marriage of Harry Wright, the hero and idol of the Cincinnati Baseball Club. The evening of his marriage the club presented him with a handsome gold watch, with a $100 five per cent. Government bond in which the watch was wrapped, as an appreciation of the kindly feeling it had for him, and for the faithful and efficient work he had done on the field. The members of the nine of the Cincinnati Club also presented Mr. Wright with a beautiful gold medal, upon which was inscribed his name with those of all the players on the nine.

BASEBALL CORRESPONDENTS AND SPORTING EDITORS.

It seemed that especial care was taken to make the reports of them games of early days very interesting.

The sporting editors and correspondents of the various journals throughout the country sent in the most reliable and impartial information. Even their own personal enthusiasm never allowed their judgment to go astray, and very few instances occurred where any of their statements were called into question. So much was thought of the efforts of these gentlemen that at one of the conventions held by the National Association of Baseball Players they passed the following flattering tribute upon Mr. Henry Chadwick, who was connected with the New York Clipper:

"We deem it proper to' pay a tribute to our friend, Mr. Henry Chadwick, a gentleman who has had long experience in the reporting of baseball, cricket and aquatics for several journals, and whose reports are universally admitted to be of a reliable, impartial and talented character. Mr. Chadwick bestows a care, attention and pains upon his reports which have won for them a standard reputation and influence with all who take any interest in American outdoor pastimes. Knowing and appreciating their worth and value, it affords us sincere pleasure and gratification to add our humble testimony in behalf of their conceded merit and excellence."

INDIANS PLAY ON THE UNION GROUNDS.

During the summer of 1868 the Cincinnati Baseball Club presented .a novel attraction for the citizens. They brought a number of Indians from the Northwest to play a game of raquette on their grounds. This was a game among the Indians similar to that of lacrosse. In their gay attire and painted faces they presented a very picturesque appearance and afforded much enjoyment to the spectators, as this was the first time anything of the kind ever appeared in Cincinnati. They were given the clubhouse in which to camp during their visit, and it is well remembered that it took a month to deodorize the premises which they had occupied.

There were also some exciting and amusing games played in 1868 which were not down on the regular schedule for the Union Grounds. One of these was played on July 12 between the Book Shovers, of Robert Clarke & Company, and the Eclectics, of Wilson, Hinkle & Company, which is now the American Book Company. The Book Shovers' nine was composed of the following players :

Edward Woodruff—Pitcher
Harvey Anderson—Shortstop
—McClintock—Catcher
—Ayres—First Base
John Dickinson—Second Base
Walter Wild—Third Base
Charles Wild—Left Field
R. D. Barney—Center Field
— Stoerle—Right Field

The Eclectics had the following players on their nine :
A. Howard Hinkle—Pitcher and Captain
George Werner—Catcher
Tinsley—Shortstop
George Beggs—First Base
Samuel Dustin—Second Base
Henry C. Sherick—Third Base
Harry T. Ambrose—Left Field
James McCormick—Center Field
Robert F. Leaman—Right Field
Louis Gerling—Change Pitcher
W. B. Thalheimer—Scorer

The Eclectics worked hard to win the game, but they were finally obliged to give way to the Book Shovers in a score of 46 to 28.

WOMAN REPORTS GAME.

Another game was played on October 8 of the same year, which was quite an event among the social circles of our city. There were a great many ladies present, and this was the first game of baseball in Cincinnati that was reported to the papers by a woman. The contesting teams were the Biscuits and the Muffins.

From his last photo taken in 1904. Major J.J. McDowell, Member, Cincinnati Baseball Club, 1866-71

THE BISCUITS.
Major J. J. McDowell—Catcher
Hunter Brooke—Pitcher
F. Armstrong—First Base
W. S. Ridgway—Second Base
Major Newlin—Third Base
A. H. Bugher—Shortstop
Nathaniel Wright—Left Field
Major Norton—Center Field
Joseph How—Right Field

THE MUFFINS.
John Burnet—Catcher
T. H. Wright—Pitcher
T. Taylor—First Base
— Atkinson—Second Base
Major Howell—Third Base
William Williamson—Shortstop
Captain McIntosh—Left Field
W. Shoenberger—Center Field
Major Lowe—Right Field

The ladies were vociferous in their cheers, and waved their parasols and handkerchiefs at every good move made on the part of the players. Major McDowell made five home runs on that day, but was put out—of breath—several times. Nat Wright fielded well, and caught many high flies as well as the frequent smiles of the ladies. Billy Williamson also caught many side glances from the fair sex. The game ended in a score of 41 to 34 in favor of the Biscuits. A number of officers from the Newport Barracks were present to witness this game.

Sedate and staid old Third Street also got into line with its baseball teams. Bankers and insurance men came down off of their high pedestals and joined in the furor of the day. An interesting game was played between the members of the First National Bank and those of the Third National. One can scarcely imagine, to look at these staid and elderly gentlemen living today, that they ever took part in a game of baseball, but they still recall the fact with pleasure and dwell upon it as a happy reminiscence. We give the players on both sides. The game was played in July, 1868.

From his last photo taken in 1907. THOMAS F. SHAY, Catcher, Baltic Baseball Team, 1868

FIRST NATIONALS.
Harry Guild—First Base
Charles Phaler—Catcher
Dick Williamson—Second Base
R. Purcell—Center Field
Samuel McKeehan—Third Base
G. W. Forbes—Pitcher
Frank Guild—Right Field
Allen Hinchman—Shortstop
C. F. Tower—Left Field

THIRD NATIONALS.
H. C. Yergason—Pitcher
John Findlay—Left Field
Charles Nash—Catcher
W. P. Thomas—Center Field
Samuel W. Ramp—Shortstop
George McLaughlin—Third Base
W. S. Griffith—First Base
William Worthington—Second Base
Griffith P. Griffith—Right Field

Fred Waterman, of the Cincinnati Club, umpired the game, which resulted in a score of 36 to 21 in favor of the Third Nationals.

The insurance men of Third Street were not to be outdone when it came to a game of baseball, so they challenged the Bankers to a game, which drew a large attendance and great enthusiasm.

From a recent photo. THOMAS J. COGAN, Right fielder, Baltic Baseball Team, 1868.

THE INSURANCE NINE.
H. A. Glassford—Pitcher
Charles S. Scanlan—Catcher
C. McCord—First Base
E. E. Townley—Second Base
J. H. Beattie—Third Base
H. Van Valkenberg—Shortstop
S. B. Markland—Right Field
B. F. Davidson—Center Field
S. C. Benjamin—Left Field

THE BANKERS.
Charles Nash—Pitcher
S. Ramp—Catcher
G. W. Forbes—First Base
Thomas Johnson—Second Base
"Tave" Tudor—Third Base
H. C. Yergason—Shortstop
R. W. Richey—Right Field
M. V. B. Lee—Center Field

The game ended in a score of 43 to 25 in favor of the Bankers. Home runs were made by Yergason, Markland, Glassford, Tudor, Lee, Johnson, Ramp and Forbes. This great game was played on the 1st of August, 1868.

Cincinnati possessed a number of baseball clubs during the year 1868 which frequently played matches on the grounds of the Cincinnati Club, and drew a large attendance at each of the games played. They were—

The Red Stockings had arranged some months before to play the Unions, of Morrisania, on October 3, while they were on their Eastern tour. This game was to have been played just after the Red Stockings had played their game with the Mutuals, of New York City.

The rule was, at this time, that if the champion club (which was the Union in 1867) had lost two games out of three with some other club, they were to resign their title to the winning club. The Unions had lost and won a game with the Red Stockings, and had also done the same thing with the Mutuals, of New York. When the Cincinnati Club was to play the deciding game with the Unions, they were subjected to one of the meanest and most ungentlemanly tricks ever imposed upon a baseball club.

Early in the season the New York Clipper had offered a gold ball to the club which won the championship in 1868, and the Unions, fearing that the prize might be carried off by a Western club, instead of playing the Red Stockings, came to New York and played the Mutuals, with whom they lost the championship, thus making it impossible for the Cincinnati Club to have a chance to win the cherished trophy, as they had already played their game with the Mutuals. Other games were played in the East, the Athletics, of Philadelphia, finally winning the pennant. The New York Clipper, published in October of 1868, commented on this episode in the following:

"We wish to allude to the treatment of the Cincinnati Club, of Cincinnati, O., by the Unions, of Morrisania. On their Western tour the Unions won and lost a game with the Cincinnati Club. It was claimed by the Unions that the game lost was merely an exhibition game and did not count in the series. Our special correspondent, who accompanied the Unions, so recorded it, but we stated at the time, with appended note to his remarks, that we regarded it as a match game, and we have since understood that the Western champions so regarded it. On their recent Eastern tour, the Cincinnatis were advertised to play the Unions on the 3d inst., but upon the arrival of the visiting club in the metropolis, they heard that the Unions would not play them. * * * We do know that the Western players expected that the game would come off, and were considerably disappointed in the failure of the Unions to meet them."

A similar treatment was imposed upon the Atlantics, of Brooklyn, N. Y., by the Unions, as the Atlantics had challenged the Unions in the early part of the season to play matches for the championship.

When, on October 11th and 12th, the Cincinnati Club played their games with the Forest City and Railway Union Baseball Clubs, of Cleveland, Ohio, the Cleveland papers commented on the players of the Cincinnati nine. "Since it has come to be that a State or city is in so important a sense represented by its leading baseball clubs, it must have been a gratifying thing to the visitors at the ball grounds on Saturday to find that our State is represented abroad by a club so eminent in all the amenities of good behavior and gentlemanly deportment, as well as sharp, unerring play. A body of lithe, well-formed young men, with clear, intelligent, manly faces, quiet and reserved on the field, and of unexceptional morals, such is the Cincinnati Club, the darling and the pride of the city whose name it bears. Five hundred members, including many prominent gentlemen of the city, constitute its organization. Its games are watched and read over as the sensation of the hour, and the sturdiest voices as well as the daintiest mouchoirs of Porkopolis are raised to celebrate its victories."

Diagram of a baseball field, 1868.

FORM OF APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP INTO THE CINCINNATI
BASEBALL CLUB.

                           CINCINNATI, O.................................
M.................................

From a photo taken at the time. RUFUS KING, Center fielder, Cincinnati Baseball Team, 1868.

I hereby authorize and request you to present my name as a Candidate for Membership to the

CINCINNATI BASEBALL CLUB,

of Cincinnati, Ohio, and pledge me, if elected, to the support of the Constitution and By-Laws of said Club.

I am not a member of, or indebted for any dues, fines or assessments to any Baseball Club belonging to the "National Association of Baseball Players," at the time of making this application.

Name, ..................................................................
Residence, ..................................................................
Place of Business, ..................................................................
Proposed by ..................................................................
Seconded by ..................................................................

The charter roll of membership of the Cincinnati Baseball Club, from the years 1866 to 1871, is in the possession of the writer. It is handsomely inscribed and decorated upon a large piece of parchment, and for a number of years hung on the club-room wall in a neat frame. The following is an exact copy of all the names enrolled thereon :

LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE ORIGINAL CINCINNATI BASEBALL
CLUB, 1866 TO 1871.

One can not refrain from contrasting the game of more than forty years ago with the sport of the present time. The Red Stockings were purely a Cincinnati club. As one of the old patrons of the game remarked to the author. "It would have killed baseball to have brought players from other cities." People looked upon the club as a local institution. The best young men of the city were proud to be members of the club.

Men high in the business world were proud to care for the financial end of the team's affairs. In those days, if the baseball patrons had been told that later on the Cincinnati Baseball Club would be owned and controlled by a man that was' not even a resident of the State; that many of the players on the team would be strangers to Cincinnati, hired merely on account of their ability to play the game, while some Cincinnati men would be hired to play on teams representing other cities—what the lovers of the sport in 1868 would have thought of such a proposition is difficult to imagine. They would doubtless have said "that under those conditions the game could not survive a season."

UNION SKATING POND ON THE GROUNDS OF THE CINCINNATI
BASEBALL CLUB.

The baseball season of 1868 having been successfully ended and wound up in a satisfactory manner, there was a meeting of the Board of Directors of the club held on November 4, 1868, at 17½ W. Third Street, with Mr. Alfred T. Goshorn presiding. There were present: Messrs. S. S. Davis, Alfred T. Goshorn, Geo. B. Ellard, Ben F. Wright and Lucien Wuls'in. It was decided that the grounds would be rented to the campaign committee of the Union Republican Club for a mass-meeting to be held October 10, 1868, which did much to further the cause in the interest of Grant and Colfax. It was also decided that after this mass-meeting the grounds be banked all around and flooded to prepare for the coming winter skating season. Season tickets for s