The Sport
March 1858
1858 National Association of Base Ball Players Convene
New York -- Representatives from well over two dozen New York City clubs met to organize and take stock of the game that is fast capturing the hearts of men and women not only in New York City but seemingly everywhere in the rapidly developing United States. There was even a group from outside of the metropolitan area, the Liberty Club of New Brunswick, giving the assemblage a "national" look and feel. 1858 looks to be a watershed year for the game.
What the assemblage learned was quite exciting. Reports are rampant that organized base ball clubs are not confined only to New York and the immediate area but reside as far away as Boston, Detroit, Chicago and even San Francisco! Excitement was in the air.
Judge W.H Van Cott, a natural leader and a ballplayer for the New York Gothams and organizer extraordinaire, was elected President of the group. Also, equally important, one of the game’s premier players, Frank Pidgeon, founder and pitcher for the Brooklyn Eckfords was in attendance, lending to the gathering his considerable baseball prestige. Pidgeon is a wizard on the baseball diamond, known for his brains and "headwork" as he hones his baseball skills. Off the field he is an inventor, a painter, and engineer, and a successful businessman. On the field he is simply one of the best pitchers in the game.
The group collectively did two things at their meeting. First, upon proper motion, they crafted and adopted rules and by-laws, becoming the very first "officially constituted" organized group of "national" base ball clubs.
Second, the group voted not to adopt the “fly-only” rule. Although a number of players have voiced that they prefer the fly-only game as more manly, there was not sufficient support to change the existing rules. For another year, at least, a striker shall be called out if his ball is caught on a single bound as well as caught on the fly.
Top New York and Brooklyn Nines to Play Series
At this very meeting, the gauntlet was dropped and a challenge was made when the Brooklyn clubs challenged New York clubs to a series of contests where the "best nine" would be decided on the diamond. How? Each region is to "pick" their best nine to play against those of the other region. In other words, these will be no ordinary games…they are to match the most skilled of the Brooklyn ball players against those from the New Yorker ball clubs. There will be three games played, the first of which will be played in July.
Little Charley wins Grand National
Aintree, England -- The 1858 Grand National started with only 16 runners lining up on the 6th of March, a number which was the lowest for quite some time. Those who did race however only ended up trailing to "Little Charley" making his 4th appearance and beating his previous best of 5th in 1856. "Little Charley" started at 100-6 and was never really expected to be in the running, but under the guidance of the jockey who made his 8th appearance and had been runner up himself in 1854 shocked many others to become a part of the special group to have won the event.
Sim Results
Code:
1. Little Charley 100/6 (Jockey: W Archer)
2. Weathercock 25/1 (Jockey: Mr. Edwards)
3. Xanthus 33/1 (Jockey: Balchin)
4. Harry Lorrequer 12/1 (Jockey: W. Fowler)
Actual Results
Code:
1. Little Charley 100/6 (Jockey: W Archer)
2. Weathercock 25/1 (Jockey: Mr. Edwards)
3. Xanthus 33/1 (Jockey: Balchin)
4. Morgan Rattler 100/6 (Jockey: T. Burrowes)
Sayers to Fight Paddock
Tom Sayers (l) and Tom Paddock (r)
London – Organizers say that the ‘Brighton Boy’ Tom Sayers will fight Tom Paddock for the championship of England this spring or summer. Details for the fight have yet to be released, and probably won’t be until that last possible moment since prize fighting is illegal in England. Authorities would be much interested in raiding a high profile bout like this one.