The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-09-27
BASEBALL IN ENGLAND.
Americas National Game Is Rapidly
Gaining FOOthOld There.

Mr., A. G.. Spaldng, the well known base
hall magnate who has Just returned from
trip to England. says that he was more
than impressed with the interest that is
now being taken in baseball in Great
Britain and for the first time since its In
PRODUCTION there it has a promising out
look
When the American game of baseball
was introduced In England II was utterly
impossible to make expenses and the clubs
for years were carried on at loss. Now
the game has very strong hold through
out the Mdlands and the North Of Eng
land. The Derby club, for the iirst time
since it was organized has this year paid
all its expenses and csn now be consld-
cred a paying venture. THIS is indeed
gratifying to those who he.ped build up
the game in England
Wnlle Mr.. Sparkling was in England the
fina game for the poSSg sSl9n OF the cliali-
pionship cup was played, the Derby club
wnL,mg, thereby becoming posscssors OF
the trophy for 1887.
While they have their own association
in England, they play under the rules of
the NatNral League, and follow our regu-
lattons in every respect infinitely.
Mr.. Spalding states that, OF course. he
was in crested personally in the develop
ihtHi Ol DaSCAiAi III Eng .aIlu' IllS uISl
coiane ct!on with the game In that country
dates back to 1874 when he arranged Il
trip for the Eostens and Philadelphia
Athletics. On this trip baseball and crick-
OF was played by the team very success
fully; in fact. Mr.. Spalding even laughs
now when he tells about having played
cricket while the team, was In England
as baseball players, and succeeded In
While considerable interest was manifesto
ed in the game at that time-more out OF
curiosity than anything else-the good
work then accomplished is now bearing
results
The second invasion of England by
American ball players occurred In 1880,
when Mr.. Spaldirg Round the World
teams played throughout England and
trip, which was successful In every par
ticular, a team of college players visited
England In the summer of 1889 and played
several important games. After these
trips, a number of prominent English gen
tlemen became interested In the sport.
One of the most ardent admirers of
! Amer.can baseball Is Francis Ley of
Derby, who has been interested In the
game since 1850, He has gore to consid-
cradle expense In fitting up grounds and
paying expenses, and Is considered today
| the head and front of baseball in Great
| Britain. He has never lost any of his in
terest or enthusiasm and he saws the
time will oome when baseball viii be
a paying institution IL properly handled
| and Will he as popular in England as II is
| IN Americas HIS efforts have certainiy
! been oen;raliZed toward procuring good
| team for the Derby club. and ne finaiiy
succeeded in winning the champlonshiyy
! cup, which was presented by A g. SpaId.
/ ing for the championships u Great Brit.
ain and has beeS competed for s!nos
! 1855
While In England, Mr.. Spald,ne met Dr
| w. n. Wray Of the Crystal Palace club
DR.. wray, who Is an enthusiastic followe,
on me game, has made careful stud,
! or tho rules and umplres most OF m,
games that are played there. ami Il ~
| every particular crank"
| Ii seems to be a hari thing to max.
any other game than cricket ponu,ar /,
England. Mr.. Spalding. however. Is fsrmi,
convinced OF the merits of baseball an;
iecis confident that II will make for itse,
place amcng English sports. To III,
way of thinking, after HAVING mat nv
careful survey OF tho field when anr,,a \
the tine 10 not far distant when an tnter
| national baseball match viii be paved he
tween England and America. When tho
TIME arrives, Mr.. Spafiing believes tha
hasebail matches between these conrt IL.
tests ever held be II athletics va cht ~ ~
or cricket matches. In the sports tvs
enumerated they attract but certain al, sa .s
masses. IN
Mr.. spaidins was quite amused :. 49,
way the newspapers hand'ed the gam. " I,
Eyana, aNsough they Go rot give ii IN
less pay some attentkcn "a n hnt 4, ,ne
very crude way: Tho scores arc MOI mis- ~ .
ed In full only by innknFs They ~ psln pm.
eyer. adopting many Of the ANN III y. NV
that arc 90 popular with the k.nSsc,
crank OF this country.