This morning the BBC alerted the world of a significant discovery about the history and origins of baseball.
The British public are under the impression that baseball is an American game and was invented by Americans, but they are wrong. Today it was revealed that the earliest record of the game of baseball dates back to 1749. It was found in the Whitehall Evening Post and refers to a game of “base-ball” played in Surrey. Even more astonishing is the fact that the Prince of Wales and the Earl of Middlesex played in that game on what is now Ashley Park, Walton-on-Thames.
The Whitehall Evening Post item reads: “On Tuesday last, his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and Lord Middlesex, played at Base-Ball, at Walton in Surry; notwithstanding the weather was extreme bad, they continued playing several hours.”
The Americans have certainly embraced this British game and consider it their own. We are seeing very positive signs over the last few years that the British public is beginning to embrace the sport of baseball too. Yes, that most British of games, baseball, is coming home!
There are baseball diamonds and clubs popping up in every corner of the United Kingdom and the opportunity is there for anyone, boys and girls, men and women, of any age or ability to get in the game as players, coaches, scorers, umpires and fans. For more details of how to get into baseball with Herts Baseball Club contact us or contact the British Baseball Federation to find your nearest baseball club.
Click here for more details on this story on the BBC website.