Early baseball in Washington/Game 13
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Spread of baseball: Home -> Washington -> Early baseball in Washington/Game 13 |
Location | Washington |
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Year | 1869 |
Month | 7 |
Date | 4 |
Note on date | Par of series, first game 5/25/1869 |
City | Olympia |
State | WA |
Country | USA |
Site | Base Ball Grounds |
Modern address | Sylvester Park, Olympia, WA |
Was NY rules baseball | Yes |
Played by | Locals |
Team 1 | Olympic Base Ball Club of Victoria (British Columbia) |
Team 2 | Rainier Base Ball Club (Olympia, WA) |
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.
W. G. Jamieson would go on to be the President of the first club in Seattle in 1872, the Dolly Varden Base Ball Club. He would be Secretary of the second team in Seattle, the Alki Base Ball Club, which was the first team from Seattle to play Match Games.
Frank Treen from the Olympia Rainier BBC would also later play for the Seattle club.