The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1915-12-29
EARLY BASEBALL
THIRTEEN MEN ON EACH SIDE.

The Contest Lasted -Four Hours. and
the Score Was 70 to 32--Pisyers Were
Elected by Ballot, and Popularity, Not
Skill, Was What Counted.
The first Intercollegiate gume Of base
ball was played on July 1, 1850. 1t
has frequently been declared that the
first match between colleges was the
Harvard- Williams game Of 1S64-that
Is at once right and wrong. 1t was
the first college contest played under
the general rules that now govern the
game. but five years earlier, on July 1.
1859. Amherst and Williams met at
Pittsfleld. Mass, In the first intercol-
legiate baseball game of any type
played in the world.
The two balls used in that game are
hanging in n room In Amherst college,
and beside them hangs this inscrip-
ton: The vcritable balls used in the
first game of intercollegiate baseball
ever played. July 1. 1859. Amherst
versus Williams, won by Amherst"
The contest was of the old fashioned
''round ball" kind and required thir
teen men ON side. The teams were
not selected because of any particular
skill or training. but were chosen by
ballot from the students at large 1t
took about three weeks TO settle the
negotiations for the match. and doubt
less the arguments would have con-
tinued as many months had not the
Pittsfleld Baseball club offered its
grounds and thus quieted suspicious
as to neutral territory There was
considerable dispute as to the size and
kind of ball to use. but this was ended
by allowing each side to use its own
ball exclusively.
Those two balls brought to the game
were the wonder of the crowd. That of
Amherst weighed two and one-half
ounces and was about eight inches in
circumference. while that of Williams
weighed two ounces and was seven
inches round. Some Williams wiseacres
had suggested light colored covering
SO as to make it seen with difficulty
by the batters." and this peculiarly
filed the fans" with admiration.
The fans ut that first college game
were indeed plentiful. All the faculty |
and every student at Williams were
there. and the whole village of Will |
Jamestown emptied itself into the ball |
grounds at Pittsfeld. There were,
moreover. several female seminaries"
within easy riding distance. and their
interested students were present to put
the boys on their mettle. The Amherst /
team felt little lonely. as only seven
teen students. all players. were in their
company. and not single neighbor or
member of the faculty came to cheer
them up.
1t was indeed doubtful whether the
game could ever be finished, for some
enemy of law and order started the re-
port that 1.-The Amherst thrower was
professional blacksmith who had been
hired for the occasion" Thus the sus-
picion of professionalism entered col
Iege athletics at the very beginning.
However. the contest started at IL
o'clock. lasted twenty-six rounds. or In
nings, and closed after four hours of
playing. The score was 70
10 30.
AS the man at bat had the right to
knock the ban in any direction what
ever. there were many side strikes"
back knocks and licked CfouD
balls. Considering the fact that the
nan behind the bat had no glove. mask
'r protection Of any sort, it was re-
that the Amherst catcher al.
owed no balls 10 pass that were with
n his reach and missed only one licked
)all In the course of the entire game"
Strange TO say. there was almost
silence on the part of the
players themselves. and no decision
vas complained of openly.
Some of the boys in that first inter
delegate game became famous men.
tut not as ball players. The captain OF
he Amherst team became president of
'ougaloo university; Henry Hyde gain
d fame as Boston lawyer; Marshall
'ushman was for years leading off,
ial In the United States patent Office.
While the umpire. l.. L. Smith. became
successful lawyer. Evidently the
pirit of 80 that made those players so
on that hot day in July
made them still more earnest In the
cal battle of life that came in future
ears Youths Companion