HistoricNewspapers
10-06-2010, 07:01 PM
Hi guys,
I was reading my 1734 New York Journal newspaper, printed by John Peter Zenger, when I noticed a neat account of a "ball and racket" game played by the Native Americans.
It is quite rare to find any sporting report in this early of a colonial newspaper...but the reason why I am posting is to see if anyone has any insight as to what type of game this could be referring to.
Obviously, my hope was to find any connection to baseball type activity. I have read where instead of rackets the Indians used sticks or clubs instead, in some of their games.
<a href="http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/sullybabe/1734%20zenger%20paper/?action=view¤t=002-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/sullybabe/1734%20zenger%20paper/002-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/sullybabe/1734%20zenger%20paper/?action=view¤t=004-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/sullybabe/1734%20zenger%20paper/004-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
original old newspapers.com
I was reading my 1734 New York Journal newspaper, printed by John Peter Zenger, when I noticed a neat account of a "ball and racket" game played by the Native Americans.
It is quite rare to find any sporting report in this early of a colonial newspaper...but the reason why I am posting is to see if anyone has any insight as to what type of game this could be referring to.
Obviously, my hope was to find any connection to baseball type activity. I have read where instead of rackets the Indians used sticks or clubs instead, in some of their games.
<a href="http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/sullybabe/1734%20zenger%20paper/?action=view¤t=002-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/sullybabe/1734%20zenger%20paper/002-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/sullybabe/1734%20zenger%20paper/?action=view¤t=004-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/sullybabe/1734%20zenger%20paper/004-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
original old newspapers.com