Year: 1867

Base ball is fast becoming the National
Game, if indeed, it has not already ar.iv
ed at that distinction. 1t combines skill
and physical development, and hence ii
is not to be wondered at, that the game
is becoming popular with the people. II
is more scientific than cricket England $
National game-and requires more vigor
and activity


During a late visit to Chicago, it was
our fortune to witness match game be-
tween the far-famed Nationals of
Washington, and the Forest City Club
of Rockford, and the popularity of the
game was fully attested by the multitude
that gathered on the occasion referred to.
The Chicago Tribune speaking about the
game of base ball, says:


The physique of Americans has long
been Vulnerable point for the sarcastic
attacks of our more muscular brethren
across the water on the weakness of our
countrymen. Hitherto, it cannot be de-
MED that we have well deserved these
palpable hits from our healthy, out door
sport-loving cousins of England. Of late
years, however, we have shown an i'm
provement in this respect, and have
brought a reformation which promises to
be of great benefit In removing this cause
OF censnre, and in bringing US up to the
physical standard of our ancestors, whose
wel-eXerclsed muscles enabled them to
lay the forests of the wilderness low. and
whose powers of endurance led them so
manfully to Withstand the fatigues of the
great struggle for independence.


The chlet cause of this desired improve
ment has been the establishment of a
national outdoor sport. This we had
not as late as ten years ago. Our sports
must OF course have a foreign origin ;
but there Is no one who will deny our
claim that the game of base ball is ma
tional lnstrItutlon-as much so as horse
racing is to the Engiishman.


Everyone remembers how the All
England eleven come to this country a
few years ago, played Us at odds Of two
TO one on our part, and then carried
everything before them. On their return
they took away with them a set of base
ball implements which we presented to
them, with the intention Of introducing
our game into their land as we had theirs
into our country. The sporting journals
OF England do not state how this attempt
to Introduce new field sport has sue
ceeded with the Englishman, but it may
reasonably be believed that we can beat
him at base ball as badly as he did us at
cricket. Our game has become to US as
cricket is to the Englishman. Their
cricket has more admirers and followers
than any other pastime. On the cricket
field, and there only, peer and present
meet on equal terms 1t is courage and
nerve, Judgment and skill, endurance and
activity, only that gives the palm of su-
perority. A more democratic institution
does not exist in Europe than this game
OF cricket; and as concerns its popularity
the records of the thousands of games
played every year, including the names
of lords and commoners, divines aud law
yers, legislators and artisans, literatures
and peasants, and alike, shows how it
has taken hold upon the people, this is
characteristic of cricket in aristocratic
England; how much more will it mark
democratic America?


The unrehecting and prejndiced, look
ing only upon the surface, may regard
these games as very good things for boys
or good enough to pass away a holiday
With, but for nothing more. Those who
lntelligently examine between cause and
effect see in both these games the means
to an end which has been sought for
years in vain on this side of the Atlantic
AS means of physical education, moth
ing can be more commendable than base
ball. As remedy also for many of the
evils accluing for the immoral associations
to which the youths of our cities and
towns are liable, the game merits the en-
dorsement of the best classes of our com
munity.


But one of the strongest inducements
to the popularity of our American game
is that it is an out door sport, and almost
the only one which ladies can countenance
and witness. Our ladies have hitherto
been shut out from all the pleasures incl
dent to such games by the low character
and ASSOCIATIONS OF the sports men indulge
IN. In base ball there is an exception in
their favor which the fair sex have not
been slow to take advantage Of IF our
national pastime had no other advantage
than this, the fact would suffice to give it
a popularity no other recreation could
compete with. In fact, whether the
game be regarded as desirable means
of physical exercise, an exciting game for
the masses, or recreation which is de-
void of every objection that the most
fastidious could onpose, it is equally to
be commended to the patronage of Amer
leans everywhere. And it is to be hoped
that the tournament which in now being
held in this city, and which is to promote
the most desirable ends, will meet with
the encouragement and be graced with
the presence of thousands of our best
citizens, who may bring with them their
wives and their families without having
cause to feel one shade of regret


Here followed complete account OF
the game which was very interesting to
base ball players but too long for our use.
We clip the closing paragraph:


HOW THE RESULT WAS RECEIVED


When it is considered that the Nation
al nine are recognized as being one of the
best and strongest clubs; that their record
for many seasons had been highly sue
cessful one and that throughout an ex-
tended tour in the West they defeated
by odds varying from two to five to one
every nine which they met, it may be
presumed that no thought was entertain
ed by any of the mines which were. to be
pitched against them on their arrival
here of vanquishing them Indeed it was
generally believed that they would rest