19th Century Baseball….in London. I picked up this 1894 season pass. I paid up for it a bit, because I think it’s pretty cool, but mostly because I did a bit of research and found there to be a rather interesting history behind the ticket - thought others might find it interesting too. There are a few publications documenting early English baseball history which provided some great background.
It is an 1894
London Baseball Association Season Pass. 1894 was the Inaugural Year of the London Baseball Association. Games were played at the new baseball park at
Hyde Farm, in Balham. The first game was played May 1st, 1894. Hyde Farm, itself, has an interesting athletic history.
On this ticket is written, “Baseball Park, Hyde Farm, Balham, May First”.
In 1894
Richard G. Knowles founded the London Baseball Association. R.G. Knowles was an American comedian and musician who was an avid athlete and early heavy promoter of baseball in London. His team, the Thespians, for which he was player-manager, was one of England’s first dominant teams, and won multiple British Titles. The Thespians were made up mostly of Americans and artists from London’s famed theater district, and large benefactors from London’s theater scene would support the league.
R.G. Knowles is also a member of the UK Baseball HOF – who knew there was such a thing!
The L.B.B.A, when first founded, included teams such as the Jays, Thespians, Remingtons, Electrics and Clapham Postmen, representing London, and teams from Liverpool, Derby, Stockton, Darlington, Middlesborough, and New Castle. Many teams were heavily supported by American resources – the Remington’s by Remington Typewriter, and another team was supported by Dewars, the whiskey producer.
On May 1st, 1894, about 3000 attended the London Baseball Association’s inaugural match at the Thespian’s new home ground at Hyde Farm, in Balham. The American dominated Thespians won the first championship by beating Stockton.
lbb01.jpg
This is Announcement for the first game of the L.B.B.A played at the Baseball Park at Hyde Farm, Balham.
Notice that Boxing World Heavyweight Champion James J. Corbett is mentioned as the possible Umpire.
Photo of The Thespians:
Supposedly, a game in July of 1892 between the Thespians and a team of
Cowboys from Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, really gave baseball its start in London.
I would be very interested to find other pieces related to this league and an early English baseball of the time.