On the Fly: The First Years of Cincinnati Baseball 1866-1870

Introduction

IT WAS THE EARLY DAYS of a game that drew large crowds to watch men play with a ball. People would sit around the edges of a field on their wagons or blankets and even in the trees, not realizing they were seeing the formation of what would be the National Game. The excitement was terrific, the betting was thick, and the players were oblivious to the fact that they were playing in the historic days of the formation of ‘base-ball’. Baseball was so young they didn’t even know what a catcher’s mitt was.

The first games were played by different groups with varied team names. The balls would usually be of a brown color and all were handmade showing different stitching.

In 1860, a resident of Cincinnati, Matthew M. Yorston, organized the first baseball club for the city. They would play at various locations around the city, including the Orphan Asylum lot located on Elm Street.

As time passed to the time frame of 1860, prior to radio and with a much smaller population, a Cincinnati team could easily draw a crowd of 4,000. There are times when you may raise an eyebrow with what you will read.

The public was drawn to and had to travel, sometimes under hardship, to the field. A game was an anticipated event where the public grew to the thousands at a game and they came dressed up in their finery.  In this book you will follow the early teams and players as the main teams form and they find a place to call their ball field.

These pages will take you back to a time that you can only dream about as you read the historic words and you will see inning by inning descriptions of some games. You can laugh, yell and cry right along with the players and those along the edges of the fields. You will see how the game of ‘base-ball’ evolved in Cincinnati.

While working on the book it was discovered that there are players not named or recognized anywhere other than in this book. Among those players we found a rather notable Cincinnati resident, who as a young man of age 18 or 19, was on the team. Many years later he became a part owner as the team kept reforming.

Historic photographs were added throughout the book.

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You will be reading the historic words as they were written beginning in those early days when the game seems to have gained the first noticeable amount of interest in Cincinnati. This is true history as it was reported and not a summary in the words of the author.

Sometimes a sentence may look a little odd, spellings may be a little different, punctuation may seem different and a word or two used may not be familiar to you today. There are instances where names appear to be spelled phonetically in the original writings. A name like ‘McVey’ may suddenly show up as ‘McVay’ and there other names where you will see a variety of spellings for the name. There are many name spelling variations throughout the early reports so an added chapter titled ‘Officials and Players’ was added for various clarifications.

Spellings were different in those days. Instead of the word ‘today’, they would spell it ‘to-day’. Instead of ‘tomorrow’, they would spell it ‘to-morrow’ and the word ‘center’ was spelled ‘centre’. We did change the first two in this book to our modern spellings. A deliberate attempt was made to keep all pages true to the past except when obvious spelling errors were seen such as for ‘home’ where the spelling used was ‘hoem’. They rarely capitalized the word ‘street’ when it was with a street name. They loved to use a lot of commas back in those early days. We also found math errors and show corrections with the originally published numbers.

You will see with each event where the information came from. At times, you will see two or more different ‘views’ of a same event, each giving a different slant on the game of that day.

A calendar was added in the front of each chapter for your reference. Note that in that time frame they put both Saturday and Sunday at the end of each week.

Welcome to the days when baseball was known as ‘base-ball’ and ‘base ball’ when it was becoming known in Cincinnati. You are stepping into the historic past.

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A note from 1860

1860 AUGUST 10.

A City Parade Ground

The parade of the Chicago Zouaves on the City lot, at the Orphan Asylum, corner of Elm and Fourteenth streets, yesterday, suggested to us the idea that the lot should be assigned and fitted for a parade ground. In no other way could it be made so useful and ornamental. It is large enough for company drill, and will answer for dress parade and review of a brigade, besides giving room for spectators. This would not prevent its being planted with trees, but the planting should be adapted to the purpose. The outer part could be well shaded and made pleasant for spectators, and clump of trees might be planted throughout, as soldiers in actual service are expected to be able to pass trees. Thus its use as a parade ground would in no-wise [no way] interfere with its beauty; and it could also be used as a general play- ground for ball, cricket, wicket, and all the manly sports which it is considered so desirable to revive, but which, in this city, we have no convenient ground for.

-  Cincinnati Daily Press.

Cincinnati, Ohio.

10 Aug. 1860

.

The preceding location became the area for Music Hall in 1878, also known as the Concert Hall, which was built on the site of the orphan asylum and potter’s field. The address for the Music Hall is 1241 Elm St which is between 12th and 14th streets.

The 1848 book titled ‘A Pictorial Description of the United States’ by Robert Sears describes the Asylum as following: It is 64 feet by 54, four stories high, and cost $18,000. It stands on Elm street.

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1866

1866 Official Game List

However, see the reports.

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1866 JULY 7.

BASE BALL CLUB

The Live Oak National Base Ball Club have completed their organization and played their first game of yesterday on their new grounds at the foot if Eighth street, near the well-known cricket grounds. They play every Tuesday and Friday afternoons, and invite all lovers of base ball to be present at their play. We hope that this may be but the beginning of a great number of these clubs, for it is decidedly the American game.

In New York, Boston and the principal Eastern cities it is about the only game of this kind to which special attention is given, and it is pursued here to a thorough science. We trust that the interest that has been awakened may continue until we have many more in operation, and that we may soon be able to compete, in this manly and athletic game, with New York and Brooklyn.

-  The Cincinnati Daily Enquirer.

Cincinnati, Ohio.

Jul. 7, 1866.

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1866 October 5.

CINCINNATI BASE BALL

A match game of base ball, between the Cincinnati and Covington baseball clubs, is to be played on Saturday, the 6th instant, commencing at two o’clock P. M. on the grounds of the Cricket Club, foot of Richmond street.

-  The Cincinnati Daily Enquirer.

Cincinnati, Ohio

Oct. 5, 1866.

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1866 October 13.

CINCINNATI

The second match game of base ball between the Cincinnati and Buckeye Base Ball Club, of this city, takes place this afternoon at two o’clock, on the cricket grounds, foot of Richmond street. The public are cordially invited to attend, especially the ladies. 

-  The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Cincinnati, Ohio.

Oct. 13, 1866.

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1866 November 1.

GRAND TOURNAMENT

A grand tournament of the base ball clubs of Cincinnati, Covington, Newport and Dayton, will take place on the grounds at the foot of Richmond street, on Saturday afternoon next. Brother Bickman is invited. 

-  The Daily Empire.

Dayton, Ohio.

Nov. 1, 1866.

Although the above game was advertised in Dayton, Ohio, it was a game in Cincinnati.

Showing Richmond Street, Cincinnati, Ohio:

The preceding map is 150 years after the game.

Map from Bing.com 2016.

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1867

Cincinnati Base Ball Club

FROM THE PRECEDING list and the reports in this book, the following EIGHTEEN players were found for the Cincinnati Base Ball Club for the year of 1867.

ARDIN, COMEGYS, CROOKS, DRAPER, ELLARD,

Moses GRANT, John Con. HOWE, Henry HURD, JOHNSON/JOHNSTON,

President A. KEMPER (3rd base),

John R. McLEAN, NEFF, ROGERSON (c.),

David SCHWARTZ, STARKS, Bellamy STORER, WINSLOW, Harry WRIGHT.

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Cincinnati Base Ball Club

1867 Official Game List

However, see the reports.

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1867 JUNE 3.

BASE BALL – CINCINNATI AND DAYTON

The Buckeye Base Ball Club of this city, on Saturday, visited Dayton, Ohio, for the purpose of playing a match with the Buckeyes of that place, and were so well satisfied with the reception the Dayton boys gave them that they would have been almost willing to have lost the game, out of courtesy. After eating a splendid dinner at the Phillips House, they were conducted to the ground and the game commenced.

The first few innings were very well contested and at the end of the fourth the Dayton club led the score, but from this time the Cincinnati boys went to work, and soon placed a safe distance between them and their opponents, scoring thirteen on the seventh inning. The out-fielding of the Dayton club was excellent, Hinckley and Slote catching the flies sent to them without any trouble. Mr. Skiff, of the Buckeyes, caught the entire nine innings without a passed ball.

Score – Buckeyes Cincinnati 43; Buckeyes Dayton 28.

Time – Two hours and fifteen minutes.

-  Cincinnati Enquirer.

Cincinnati, Ohio.

Jun. 3, 1867.

The Phillips House was a hotel built in 1852. The location was at the SW corner of Third and Main Streets, Dayton, Ohio.

DAYTON, OHIO 1866:  The days of dirt streets with horses and wagons, the Phillips House Hotel shows above on the far right.

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1867 June 21.

THE WESTERN TRIP OF THE NATIONAL BASE BALL CLUB

The following is the programme laid down by the National Base Ball Club for their Western trip, their arrangements having been completed: [includes]

On the 15th, Cincinnati Base Ball Club, at Cincinnati, O.

On the 16th, Buckeye Base Ball Club, at Cincinnati, O.

The above arrangements may be changed in case of rain or other interruption.

-  The National Republican.

Washington, D. C.

Jun. 21, 1867.

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1867 June 27.

THE WESTERN TRIP OF THE

NATIONAL BASE BALL CLUB

Another view

We learn that the National Base ball Club of Washington, D. C., are about to visit this city on an extended trip to the West.  The Nationals will leave Washington July 11th, and will proceed direct to this city, where they will play one game. They have accepted invitations to play from the following clubs: [included]

July 15, Cincinnati Base Ball Club, at Cincinnati.

July 16, Buckeye Base Ball Club, at Cincinnati.

The party will return to Washington from Chicago, leaving the latter place [Chicago] July 29th. In the programme of the trip they say: Our friends having consented, at our request, to waive all entertainment, it is understood that none will be either offered or accepted.

-  Daily Ohio Statesman.

Columbus, Ohio.

Jun. 27, 1867.

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1867 July 5.

CINCINNATI

The Union Cricket Grounds in this city were opened yesterday with a match game of base ball between the Louisville and Cincinnati Clubs, in which the latter was victorious by score – 60 to 24. The game was witnessed by nearly 2,000 persons.

-  The Evansville Journal.

Evansville, Ind.

Jul. 6, 1867.

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1867 July 13.

OUR CLUBS VISIT THE NATIONAL AND CAPITALS

AT COLUMBUS

On Saturday last [July 13], the Buckeye and Cincinnati Base-balls Clubs visited Columbus to witness a game between the Nationals of Washington, and Columbus to witness a game between the Nationals of Washington and the Capitals at Columbus. The game came off on Saturday last, with a result as follows:

Score by Innings

THE GAME WAS CALLED by Colonel Jones, of the Nationals, and resident Skidding, of the Capitals, Harry Wright, Cincinnati Club, acting as umpire. Those who went up to Columbus to see these games were: Buckeyes – William Skiff, John Boake, Charles H. Gould, James Bradford, John E. Sherwood, George F. Sands, President, H. H. Tatem, Captain, Robert Pomeroy and A. Henderson.

Cincinnati Club – Harry Wright, Captain Glassford, President, A. Kemper and Henry Hurd and David Schwartz.

-Cincinnati Daily Enquirer.

Cincinnati, Ohio.

Jul. 15, 1867.

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1867 July 15.

THE MATCH GAME TODAY

No game of base-ball or cricket has ever excited such interest as the match played yesterday by the Cincinnati and Washington clubs. Base-ball has rapidly grown into National significance, and may be termed the standard field game of America. In its contests the Cincinnati Club has generally been successful, but the fame of the Washington Nationals had preceded them, and it was pretty generally understood that our Cincinnati boys would have to work with more than ordinary zeal to come out first best.

The morning was lowering and occasionally a light shower created an apprehension that the afternoon would usher in a steady rain. In this, however, there was an agreeable disappointment, for the weather, although cloudy, continued fine until the close. In the mean time, as the hour drew near, the spectators crowded to the grounds, in carriages, buggies, and en pied. The street railroad cars were jammed, and the whole wore the appearance of a general holiday, some four thousand persons being on the ground -—nearly one-half of the lookers-on were ladies. This is a hopeful augury for the abiding popularity of the game, for whatever the fairest portion of humanity favors is sure of success; besides their presence imparts a bright and joyous halo to every scene and gives a humanizing and classic significance to every sport they countenance.

Prelude to the Game

The Washington Club constituted the principal focus of attraction, and the appearance of the men was such as to warrant the most favorable conclusion. They are as active, muscular and vigorous looking young fellows as ever contended with the bat and ball, and they wore in their countenances a certain look of confidence, which is usually the precursor of victory. They were neatly dressed in blue caps, white shirts, blue pantaloons, and red belts.

The great reputation which preceded the Washington Nationals: has been more than established by the contest of yesterday. Their fielding is magnificent, their batting superb, and they are as active as the star gymnasts of a circus. There is no more disgrace in being defeated by such players than was experienced by the crack New York cricketers in their discomfiture by the celebrated Eleven." To be sure it was rather a bad beat, and there was over an average amount of ill luck upon the Cincinnati side, but the present defeat, by inciting to more determined practice, may prove the germ of future victories. Fifty-three to ten are long odds to balance, but patience and perseverance will accomplish wonders. The following is the summary:

[The National ‘R’ numbers are blurred.]

TIME – THREE HOURS and fifteen minutes.

Umpire – Mr. Brockway, of the Live Oak Base-ball Club of Cincinnati.

Incidents and Accidents

Mr. Neff, of the Cincinnati Club, had his finger broken at the commencement of the 7th inning. Mr. Crooks took his place, but after one or two balls gave way to Mr. Francis, who went to the c. f. and immediately made a beautiful fly catch, for which he received loud applause from the audience.

Mr. G. Wright, of the Nationals, met with quite an annoying accident in the 4th inning. His finger nail was completely taken off while stopping a swift ball. The wound was immediately dressed, and he without any difficulty, apparently, played out the game, and as the score will show, made the most runs.

Mr. William’s hand was badly hurt by stopping a ball, but he continued to play manfully, and achieved five runs.

We noticed among the prominent lookers–on Mr. Chadwick, from New York, the editor of the Base-Ball Chronicle.

-  The Cincinnati Daily Enquirer. Cincinnati, Ohio.

Jul. 16, 1867.

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1867 July 16.

BASE BALL

The base ball match between the National Club, of Washington City, and the Cincinnati club, yesterday afternoon [July 16], resulted in a victory for the Nationals. The score stood fifty-three to ten.

At a match game of base ball played this afternoon [July 17] between the Nationals, of Washington, and Buckeyes, of Cincinnati, the former scored 88 to the latter’s 12.

-  Dayton Ohio Statesman.

Columbus, Ohio.

Jul. 17, 1867.

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1867 July 16.

THE CLOSING GAME OF BASE BALL

There was a forlorn hope that the Buckeye Club would redeem the credit of Cincinnati in their match yesterday [July 16] with the unconquerable Nationals, but it was dissipated at the commencement of the play. The day was fine, sunshiny and breezy, just such weather as, could it have been got up to order, would have been chosen. The rain of the night previous had improved the ground, which was in tip-top condition, and everything was fair for a spirited and highly satisfactory contest.

THE ATTENDANCE

The excitement of the first day was continued yesterday [July 16], an equal number of persons being present to witness the game, about half of whom were ladies. The base-ball furore has spread to some of our oldest and most staid citizens who were present, and entered into the spirit of the occasion with the zest of the olden time. We noticed that Kentucky was pretty well represented, and a large sprinkling of strangers from neighboring cities made up the total of not less than four thousand persons.

APPEARANCE OF THE PLAYERS

We believe the Washington visitors have been largely the recipients of the convivial hospitality of their Cincinnati contestants, but they stand it like veterans, for they appeared as bright, as active and vigorous as so many athletes, when in tip-top condition. There was no mistake that the Buckeyes had their work cut out, and they appeared well aware of it. In fact, it was a foregone conclusion that there would be a similar result to that of the day before, the point being to lessen as much as possible the magnitude of the defeat.

Washington has assuredly sent forth fine specimen representatives of the physique, and we doubt if a better put up nine could be chose. To this they add the advantage of a large experience, and it will be strange if the Western tour is not a series of uninterrupted triumph.

THE PLAY

The Nationals went in and made five, when the Buckeyes followed with a round 0. In the second innings the irrepressible Washingtonians scored 32, followed by the Cincinnatians with 3.  The third innings of the Nationals counted up 21, with a set-off of against it of nix for ya Buckeyes. Here was a hopeless state of affairs. Washington was so far in the ascendant that it was floating clear out of sight, and there appeared not the shadow of a shade of hope for the Buckeyes. The Washington boys, equally at bat, as fielders, catchers and bowlers, appeared invincible, while their opponents seemed staggered and entirely out of order. The swift, fierce and decisive balls delivered by the Washingtonians were in telling contrast to the slow delivery of the Buckeyes, who, it strikes us, have much to learn in this important point of the game. The total after the third innings was 38 to 3, but at this point the Buckeyes appeared to wake up, and their play improved in an astonishing degree. The game was closed at the sixth innings in consequence of the necessity of the Washingtonians to leave for the evening boat for Louisville. The score was, Nationals, 83; Buckeyes, 12.

THE DEPARTURE

The Washington boys left the ground for the Louisville boat, escorted by the members of the two Cincinnati clubs, and a large of friends made during their brief visit. The Louisville club will be the next victims. In all sincerity we wish our friends of the Falls City the greatest amount of luck, but we have met the Nationals, and we are theirs, and we fear that the same fate awaits the Louisvillians. For our own Cincinnatians, we trust that the recent crushing defeats will but spur them to active exertion, so that when they again in friendly contest encounter their Washington rivals, the tables may be turned.

-  The Cincinnati Daily Enquirer.

Cincinnati, Ohio.

Jul. 17, 1867.

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1867 August 29.

WESTERN vs The CINCINNATI

At the grounds of the Union Cricket Club, on Freeman street, at the foot of Hopkins, the Western Base-ball Club, from Indianapolis, as per announcement, played a match game of base-ball yesterday [Aug 29] afternoon with the Cincinnati Club. The day was very fine, and a large attendance of ladies and gentlemen were present. Each player was in a fine condition, and both confident of coming out of the game victorious. At half-past two the game was called, the Westerns going in first and scoring five runs.

Then followed the Cincinnati’s Harry Wright first at the bat, who made a beautiful hit, which sent him to his third base. Next Johnston, who was caught out on a foul, as was Geo. Ellard. Then followed Kemper, who sent a fly-ball to the short-stop, but it was badly muffed by Bussel. Grant then went in, but was caught out on a foul. Score -—3 runs.

WESTERN

Second Inning -—J. Daniels, of the Western, at the bat of this inning, who sent a fly-ball over to the left base, which was caught by Johnston. [Cheers.]

Dean next at the bat, who immediately made a splendid hit, off of which he made a home run,