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THE GUILDFORD BASEBALL JUNIORS
The History of Baseball
When we visit schools during our baseball taster sessions, we often ask the children the question; "where is baseball from?" , most children will answer "America" or "Canada" because America is known as the home of baseball....but actually, the game itself appears to have originated here in the UK! The first recorded mention of a game called "Base Ball" appeared in a diary written by William Bray in 1755....
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William Bray (1736-1832) was a solicitor to many county families, steward of Surrey manors, treasurer of charities and a determined antiquary. He wrote the History and Antiquities of the County of Surrey with Manning, published in three large volumes between 1804 and 1814 which is still an important reference book for the history of many Surrey families.
A previously unknown diary by a young William Bray, written in 1754-1755, was discovered in a garden shed in 2007. A particularly intriguing entry from Easter Monday 1755 records a game of baseball near Guildford: “Went to Stoke Ch. This morn. After Dinner Went to Miss Jeales to play at Base Ball with her, the 3 Miss Whiteheads, Miss Billinghurst, Miss Molly Flutter, Mr Chandler, Mr Ford & H Parsons & Jelly. Drank Tea & stayed till 8“
This is the earliest known manuscript reference to baseball, confirming baseball was played in Surrey more than 20 years before American independence.
It is generally accepted that the original game of "base ball" was quite unlike the game we play today, we think it was more simple, having two ends and played with a stick or similar whereby a ball or even a bundle of tied rags, was hit and runs were scored by running to each "end" - not unlike cricket! Indeed it is very likely that Cricket, Rounders & Stoolball all evolved from this simple idea of hitting a ball and running.....
The format of the game we play today was created in the United States and if you would like to see a comprehensive history of their version of Baseball, watch this YouTube video and its series......