New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-04-13
The National Game OF BniI.


The physique of Americans has long been vulnerable
point for the attacks Of foreigners the weaknesses OF
our countrymen and hitherto have too well deserved
these palpabe hits from healthy oudoorsportovng
cousins of England OF late years. however improve
has been manifested in this country in this respect
and reformation has been introduced which bids fair TO
be of great benefit in permanently removing this just
Of censure and in bringing up to the physical
standard Of foreathers whose welexercsed muscles
enabled them to lay the forests Of the wilderness low and
whose powers Of endurance led them to withstand man
fully the agues of the great years struggle for in
dependence.
Among the most influential causes Of this desirable
reformation has been the establishment Of national out
door sport something not possessed Of oven so
late as years ago. Ofcourse sports must necessa
ry be Of foreign origin, the sports Of England OF
Norman and Roman desceni but as fairly claim
for national game Of Base Baas played in accord
ance with the rules Of the "Naonal Association Of Base
Ball Players"an originality American institution
as tho English can for their peculiarly national sport Of
horse-racing Without further discussion this point,
however let il suffice that the game Of Base Ball. as per-
fected Of late years an American game and can
honoraby claim as our national outdoor sport.
As Cricket TO the Engishman, has Base Ball be-
come 10 the American. in England, Cricket has more
devoted admirers and ardent followers. than any
pastime known the English people. On the Cricket
field and there only the peer md tho peasant meet on
equal terms the possession Of courage and nerve, uds
and skill endurance and activity, alone giving tho
palm Of superiority. In fact democratic insitu-
ton does not exist in Europe than this scsae Cricket
and regards its great popularity the records Of the
thousands Of games played each year, which include the
names Of lords well commoners dyines es well Gs
lawyers Legislators well artisans, and hteraieur a.
well mechanics and peasants shows how greatly has
taken hold Of that people. If this is tho Characteristic Of
Cricket in arsocratic England, how much more will it
mark Base Bal in democratic America
Unrehectng and prejudced individuals, who never
look below the surface Of things may regard both
Cricket and Base Ball Every good things for boys, pe
haps or to pass away an idle hour two hoi-
day" but those who inellgoniy investigate subjects in
regard to cause and effect in both these games but
especially In Base Ball. tho TO end which has
been sought for in tins side tho A.
lantio means Of physical cultivation Base Ball Is
one Of the most commendabe in vogue. As q remedy
also for many Of the evils aocruine from the immoral
socations the youths Of cities and towns liable TO-
this game merits the Endorsement Of the best classes Of
the community. The Rev. c. II. Everest Of Brooklyn
n. Y. in sermon Physical Education, which be
lately delivered made special alusion to Base Bal g,
game whose regulations calculated TO prevent the
ifeengs engcnderod by other games, and one moreover
which to attract our young men from places OF bad
repute and supply tho right kind Of exercise AID
amusement" This opinion has been practically indored
BIZ several cergymen Of Philadelphia, who last year
formed themselves into Base Ball club for purposes Of
heathul and moral recreation in imitation Of the hund
reds Of English parsons who take such delight IN playing
Cricket on the commons Of their villages.
But one Of the strongest inducements TO the popu-
lary Of our American game Of ball u.s. that II ia out
door sport and almost the only which ladies can
counenanee aud witness. American ladies have hitherto
been shut from all the pleasures incident TO such
games as Base Ball and Cricket such tho qualification
Of witnessing manly contests for superiority in courage
activity good temper and Judgment, by the low character
of the surrounding and associations of most Of the sports
men indulge in. IL Base Ball however, have an eX
cepon in their favor which they have not been slow 70
take advantage Of the patronage Of the hundreds Of the
fair who have for three four years past graced Base
Ball matches with their welcome presence testify. II
our national pasmo had no other recommendation than
this, this fact would suffice 10 give II popularity no
Other could compete with in tho estimation Of
Americans
Base Ball. as now played by the clubs Of tho National
Association is a NewYork institution, and it differs ma
terially from the game in vogue in NewEngand, the
latter Of which within the past five years has almost be-
come obsolete During the late the soldiers Of both
the contesting armies made the game Of
ton in their camps and prison grounds and by this means
has il been introduced into the South. This year the
organization OF Base Bail club at the University Of Viz
GINA will give the gamO Impetus in the South which
will lead its being Of the most popular recrca
tons in which the leisure classes of the land Of chIvar
are promo indulge especially as it IS sport which
the Southern bellies patronze as do their compees OF
the English nobility the Cricket matches Of the Col
legans Of Oxford and Cambridge In fact whether Base
Ball be regarded desirable means of physical exercise
an exciting game for the masses or recreation which IS
devoid of every reasonable objection that the most astd
GUS moralist could inteposc it is equally to BE- COM
mended the patronage Of every American citizen North
South East or West the most fitting game for National
outdoor sport.