BASEBALL IN BRITAIN

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 236, 6 October 1936, Page 10

BASEBALL IN BRITAIN

Game Which Never Has A Dull Moment Grows Rapidly in Popularity

T?ASEBALL lias definitely arrived in

Britain, write Guy Henncsey-Kicliards in “Men Only.” Each, succeeding Saturday will seo increasing numbers of people flocking to the stadia to bo thrilled by the electric speed of the “ball game”—and what a thrill that can be. The writer has seen a crowd of several 'thousands brought

to its toes by a magnificent home run, in much tho samo way as the grand-stand rises to tho thrill of a close finish to a Derby. To scoro a homo run, one must first make a colossal hit, at least to tho farthest extremity of the ground, then cover four sides of the diamond (ono hundred and twenty yards) at a stretch gallop, with the added hazard of not being allowed to over-run second or third base. Whilst you aro performing a neat impersonation 'of a fleeting greyhound, the ball is being returned to tho infield iu a scries of lightning throws by fielders whose accuracy of aim is equalled only by their speed. To the uninitiated this may not sound particularly difficult, but in practico it is first cousin to "impossible.” Tire "ball gamo” is not new to Britain. Thero is mention of members of the Koyal Family playing it in 1748. Although this is the earliest mention of "baseball,” the gamo had been played for almost two hundred years previously under the name "club-ball.” In recent years it has been played extensively in Wales, the North, and tho Midlands, but until last year London

had no chance of becoming baseballconscious. Then Mr L. D. Wood, "Woody” to his friends, stepped in and made the White City Stadium the first town residence of "ball.” "Woody” spared neither expense nor energy to put baseball over in London, and ho succeeded in a big way. At the first game of the series the atten-

Baseball is to be compulsory at Halton Camp this season. This experiment with one section of tho K.A.F. may he the begin-

ning of a sport revolution in this country. Baseball was invented by an Englishman, General Abner Doubleday, of Chipping Norton, who introduced it to tho United States, where it has the same hold on the public that football and cricket have in this country.

The National Baseball Association are making determined efforts to popularise the game, and have over 200 clubs affiliated all over the country.

The game will also introduce a new vocabulary to the British public, a rich, rare, and fruity language which can be hurled at the armoured head of the umpire and players. —‘ ‘ WEEKLY ILLUSTRATED. ’ ’

danco was four hundred. This figure steadily increased, and tho last game, London versus tho Best of Great Britain, was witnessed by just over twelve thousand. Truly a staggering advance in one season.

In America most of tho big baseball grounds have ad-signs erected in awkward places, and any striker hitting one of these may go down to the store and receive, free of charge, whatever goods tho sign advertises. In this manner a good "ball” player may find himself entitled to a new suit, or a diamond solitaire, according to which sign ho hits. Thero is no truth in tho rumour that anyone hitting the Empire State Building above the eightieth floor from "The Giants” home ground can claim the building. In common with most American pastimes, baseball has a special lino in what we English call " back-chat” (known to the American as rooting), and doubtless we shall soon bo hearing the spectators in this country encouraging tho players by shouting:

“Put another one over like that, Hank. You've got him swinging like a rusty gate." Or, “Swat that onion, Jerry.” Or perhaps, “You’ve got two pieces out of it. Now send it, Western Brothers say, “Anything can happen nowadays.”

That we, the English, are adaptable to the game is apparent to anyone who watched the London team at the White City last

year. These boys, mostly recruited from icehockey and Rugby players, with one or two resident Canadians to help them out, showed fine form in their first season and succeeded

in winning all but one of the games they engaged in. Many of the opposing teams had two or three years’ experience of the game behind them; nevertheless, London triumphed. Baseball well played is one of the greatest games to wmteh. There is never a dull moment, and, unless the Englishman does not recognise a good thing when it is offered him ,should sweep the country. It has background too, as, apart from having been played by Royalty, the “old school tie" flutters nobly when the Universities pitchoff. There are teams at Oxford, Glasgow, and Edinburgh Universities, and some of the players show exceptional ability. Thcro will bo crowds of thirty thousand at the “ball games" before the summer is through.