Early baseball in Minnesota/Club 34
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| Spread of baseball: Home -> Minnesota -> Early baseball in Minnesota/Club 34 |
| Location | Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Year | 1872 |
| Month | 6 |
| Date | 14 |
| Note on date | no later than June 14 |
| City | Redwood Falls |
| State | MN |
| Country | USA |
| Nickname | Redwood Falls Base Ball Club |
| Found by | Rich Arpi |
A base ball club has been organized in this place, and we understand a challenge has been sent to the Beaver Falls Club to play a match game in our town on the Fourth of July. The latter club was organized this spring, and is said to play a splendid game. Our club has not yet met for practice, and has some hard work before it if it expects to compete with a well-drilled club. The following are the officers of the clubs and the members of the first nine: President: A.M. Northrup; Vice-President: C.S. Paul; Secretary: Rob Watson; Treasurer: C.F. Folsom. First Nine: Captain, Thomas McMillan, right field; A. Vandecar, pitcher; Frank Mullen, catcher; A.W. McWright, first base; James Mason, second base; Elder Mason, third base; Rob. Wilson, shortstop; Geo. Wingett, left field; Chas. Potter, center field; Scorers: Wm. McGowan and G.W. Anderson. Since the foregoing was in type we learn that no challenge has been sent to any club, nor will there be until our club has learned to play. We are assured, however, that no challenge will be declined. Members of the club are requested to meet for practice every pleasant evening at 6 1/2 o'clock.
Paper of July 5, 1872 announces a game between the Excelsior Club of Redwood Falls (many of the same members as listed above....but some new ones) and the Union BBC of Beaver Falls. Game to be played on July 12th. July 12th paper announces the game.
July 19th paper as an account of the game on the 12th....Excelsior Club of Redwood Falls beats the Star Club of Beaver Falls ....66 to 12 in five innings in a game lasting three hours.
Redwood Falls had a population of 725 in 1870; 981 in 1880 and a high of 5,459 in 2000. It is about 105 miles SW of Minneapolis.
Sources
The Redwood Falls Mail, Friday, June 14, 1872 (pp. 4, col. 2 )
