Early baseball in Washington/Club 17
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| Location | Washington |
|---|---|
| Year | 1869 |
| Month | 5 |
| Date | 8 |
| Note on date | Earliest reported date of club |
| Modern address | Sylvester Park, Olympia, WA |
| City | Olympia |
| State | WA |
| Country | USA |
| Nickname | Rainier Base Ball Club of Olympia |
| Found by | Mark Brunke |
From the British Colonist newspaper, the newspaper of Victoria.
TEXT: Mr. R. G. Hayes Sec. Ranier B. B. Club Olympia, W.T.
Sir, I am desired on behalf of the Olympic Nine of this city to extend through you an invitation to the Rainier Nine of Olmpia to play a national game of Base Ball on Beacon Hill, 24th May, with the intention of playing the return match at your city, July4th, at your option. I am respectfully yours, W. G. Jamieson, Sec. O. B. B. Club An early answer will oblige
(reply) Olympia, W. T., May 8, 1869 Mr. W. G. Jamieson Sec. Olmypic B B Club Victoria, W. T.
Sir, I am requested as Secretary of the Ranier Base Ball Club, of Olympia to accept the challenge of the Olympics of Victoria, to play a national game of Base Ball at Victoria on the 24th May, 1869. Please state the hour at which the game will begin, I remain, very respectfully yours, R. G. Hays, Rainier B B Club
The Rainiers are a crack club, and have won several well contested matches on their own ground. The Olympics will have to keep thier eyes about them when go into the field with such opponents.
Sources
Article above from the May 12, 1869 edition of the British Colonist of Victoria, BC. The result of the second game is unkown. In the May 26 edition, it was reported the Olympics won the first game 45 to 23.
Members of the club: Welthers, Lawson, Hayes, Shelton, Hawk, Finch, Treen, Huntington, and Gilbert. Gilbert was also the Captain, and Hays was the Secretary.
