More on Pelham's Shamrock Base Ball Club that Played on City Island in the 1880s

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

As devoted followers of Pelham history know, the Town of Pelham has a rich history of supporting the sport of "base ball" that goes back, at least as documents, to the first months after the end of the Civil War in 1865.  "Base Ball Clubs" once populated our town as social and recreational outlets for much of the population of the town.

An important example was the Shamrock Base Ball Club of City Island about which I have written before.  See, e.g.:

Mon., Dec. 14, 2009:  Baseball Games Played by the City Island Shamrocks in 1889.

Wed., Dec. 09, 2009:  City Island Shamrocks Base Ball Club Changed its Name to the Minnefords in 1888.

As is the case with virtually all such casual social organizations of the 19th century in Pelham, there are no known records of the Shamrock Base Ball Club.  Thus, we are left to piece together what can be learned of the histories of such organizations, often from newspaper clippings.  Such an incomplete record can be confusing and apparently contradictory as seems to be the case with the extant record regarding the Shamrocks. For example, though the record remains unclear, there may well have been two Base Ball Clubs at about the same time -- one based in Pelham and another in the adjacent municipality of New Rochelle.

Nevertheless, it is possible to tease from such newspaper clippings much about the history of the Shamrock Base Ball Club of City Island in the Town of Pelham.  Today's Historic Pelham article attempts to tease from such clippings precisely such information.

The Shamrock Base Ball Club seems to have been formed in about 1887.  The earliest reference located so far is one indicating that "The Shamrock Base Ball Club will hold their first annual ball at the TOWN HALL Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 23, 1887."  The Club seems to have been one for affluent local residents as its members were described as "yacht men."

An early manager of the Club (if not the first manager) was John F. Ahmuty.  Before moving to City Island where he eventually became a writer for, and local representative of, the New York Herald, Ahmuty was the manager of the Jersey City Monitors where, according to one local news report, "he . . . guided the old monitors of Jersey City to what they are to-day."

Clearly the Club included talented players as it was very successful.  For example, Jacob Smith was a pitcher with the Club and became locally famous for his successes on the field.  By June of 1889, the Club had "crossed bats with several out of town clubs, and without losing a game."  According to one report "Mr. Ahmuty is so confident of his boy's that he will be compelled to cancel a good many dates made early in the season, in order to accommodate several league games for which he is offered large guarantee, as the famous 'Shamrock's' are the only club representing water now in existence."  

The above-reference to "guarantee" is important in several respects.  It confirms that, at least at times, the Shamrocks played in front of an audience of paying fans.  It also confirms that the local team was talented enough to be challenged to competitions with local league teams that, most likely, routinely played before audiences of paying fans.  (A "guarantee" involved arrangements for a team to receive a portion of the gate receipts from paying fans.)

Few if any records of actual baseball games involving the Shamrocks exist.  From brief newspaper references, a few games can be listed:

June 8, 1889 - Game at Willet's Point against unidentified team; won 15 to 0.
June 19, 1889 - Return game in Brooklyn vs. Y.M.A. of Bushwick Avenue (results unknown)
July 4, 1889 - Doubleheader against the "Confidence" of New Rochelle (results unknown).

By December 18, 1889, the won-loss record of the Shamrocks was quite impressive:  29 wins and 4 losses.

Clearly the "yacht men" who were members of the Shamrock Base Ball Club knew how to celebrate.  Indeed, the club clearly was an important social club in addition to being a baseball club.  There are nearly as many descriptions of the club's grand "balls" as there are descriptions of their on-field exploits.  Members of the club seem to have hosted an annual "ball" in December of each year.  Newspaper references make clear that the club sold tickets to the ball to non-members and that such tickets were available at various retailers on City Island, in Mount Vernon, and in New Rochelle.  For example, tickets to the ball held on December 11, 1889 were sold in at least three retail establishments including "Bonn's segar store" (i.e., cigar store).

The ball held on the evening of Wednesday, December 11, 1889 was a truly grandiose affair.  It was held at the Bay View Hotel, a magnificent resort hotel on City Island.  (See Mon., Jan. 23, 2017:  Pelham's Bay View Hotel In 1885.)  A local newspaper described the grand ball as "one of the most successful and enjoyable affairs of the season."  

Bay View Hotel on City Island.  Detail from Postcard View.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

The description of the grand ball that evening suggests that it was quite magnificent.  An article that is more like a society column than a news article appeared in a local newspaper (see below).  It described each gown worn by each woman, all silk with lace and in a rainbow of colors.  It described diamond jewelry and "ornaments" as well as hairstyles in the newest "Parisian" fashion.  The list of attendees included a Who's Who of City Island and the surrounding region.  Clearly, the grand ball was a serious social affair.  "Professor Bonn" and his orchestra, from Mount Vernon, provided music for the affair.

Significantly, attendees voted to select the most "prominent" young lady of the evening to be awarded a "beautiful silk plush patent rocker."  All ladies in attendance were eligible for the honor.  "At the given hour the silk plush rocker which was voted to the most prominent young lady was presented to Miss Josie Price, she receiving 79 votes."  After the presentation of the rocker, the music and dance continued until the "early morn" before the grand ball ended.

No further records of the Shamrocks have yet been found and its history after the grand ball of December 11, 1889 is unknown.

19th Century Baseball Game Like Those Played in Pelham.

*          *          *          *          *

"LOCAL NEWS. . . .

-- The Shamrock Base Ball Club will hold their first annual ball at the TOWN HALL, Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 23, 1887.  They anticipate making a 'home run.' . . . ."

Source:  LOCAL NEWS, New Rochelle Pioneer, Oct. 29, 1887, Vol. XXVIII, No. 31, p. 3, col. 1.

"Bartow and City Island. . . . 

The Shamrock Baseball Club held a meeting last Friday night and voted unanimously to change the name of the organization to Minneford Baseball Club, the name by which City Island was originally known. They decided to have a ball as soon as DeVaugh's new building is ready for occupancy. . . ."

Source:  Bartow and City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec. 7, 1888, Vol. XX, No. 1,148, p. 3, col. 2.

"Baseball Notes. . . .

It is with great pride we can justly say that there is another strong baseball team in the field this year, and who are playing great ball. The club we refer to, is the 'Shamrock's' of City Island, composed of yacht men, under the management of John F. Ahmuty, whose experience in that capacity is allready [sic] too well known to need comment, (he having guided the old monitors of Jersey City to what they are to-day), these young men have crossed bats with several out of town clubs, and without losing a game as yet. Mr. Ahmuty is so confident of his boy's that he will be compelled to cancel a good many dates made early in the season, in order to accommodate several league games for which he is offered large guarantee, as the famous 'Shamrock's' are the only club representing water now in existence. 

On July 4th the 'Shamrock's' will play the Confidence of New Rochelle, 2 games, morning and afternoon. Due notice will be given. . . . . 

Source:  Baseball Notes, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], June 18, 1889, Vol. XX, No. 1,203, p. 3, col. 2.

"City Island

(The following items were received too late for Friday's issue). . .  

Last Saturday [June 8, 1889] the 'Shamrocks' went to Willet's Point to score another victory -- 'a complete whitewash,' as one of the boys expressed it. Score 15 to 0. To-morrow (Saturday) they go to Brooklyn to play the return-game of the Y.M.A. of Bushwick avenue."

Source:  City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], June 18, 1889, Vol. XX, No. 1,203, p. 3, col. 2.

"CITY ISLAND TATTLER. . . . 

Look out for the greatest event of the season, the ball of the Shamrock Base Ball club on December 11th on which occasion we will not kill our umpire, but we will present to the young lady who receives the largest number of votes on that evening, a beautiful silk plush patent rocker.  This is open to all comers.  Full particulars in our next. . . ."

Source:  CITY ISLAND TATTLER, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Nov. 26, 1889, Vol. XXI, No. 1,249, p. 3, col. 3.  

"City Island Tattler. . . .

The manager of the Shamrock Base Ball Club is happy to announce that all the arrangements for their ball is [sic] completed, and a first-class time is guaranteed to all who choose to attend.  Tickets for sale at Bonn's segar store, Joseph Weber, Jr., Peter Magee, Mount Vernon.

Zoo Zoo."

Source:  City Island Tattler, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec. 3, 1889, Vol. XXI., No. 1,251, p. 3, col. 3.

"LOCAL NEWS. . . . 

-- The first [sic] annual ball of the Shamrock B. B. C., of City Island, will be held at the Bay View Hotel, on Wednesday evening December 11, 1889.  The music will be furnished by Prof. Bonn, of Mt. Vernon. . . ."

Source:  LOCAL NEWS, New Rochelle Pioneer, Dec. 7, 1889, p. 3, cols. 1-3.  

"CITY ISLAND TATTLER.

One of the most sociable and successful balls ever held on City Island was the first [sic] annual of the Shamrock Base Ball Club on Wednesday evening last, at Bay View Hotel.  The ball room was decorated handsomely with ensign of this well-known club showing their winnings and their record, playing 29 games and losing only 4.  The floor was under the charge of Mr. Edward Leviness, assisted by an able Floor Committee.  Among those present was the Hon. Judge Henry D. Carey, President of the club, accompanied by his wife and lady friends; Mr. Thomas Coulter accompanied by Miss VeronicaHallett, dressed in blue silk trimmed with point lace, diamond ornaments; Mr. Jacob Smith, the well-known pitcher of the famous Shamrock's accompanied by Lucy Kirchoff, attired in pale blue silk trimmed with cream colored lace, diamond earrings; Mr. Henry Weaver accompanied by Miss Florence Baxter, dressed in brown silk and diamonds; Mr. G. Gander accompanied by Miss Phoebe Smith, dressed in pearl colored satin with handsome pearls as ornaents; Mr. F. Wolz accompanied by Miss Ella Billar dressed in fawn colored silk, ornaments, diamonds; Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Turner, Mrs. Turner looking charming in pink satin; Mr. Daniel Piepgrass accompanied by Miss Clara Richards, dressed in white satin, diamonds as ornaments; Mr. and Mrs. Ellmer Pickney, the latter being dressed in lavender silk; Mr. William Pell accompanied by Miss Irene Forkel, dressed in black silk with diamonds in ears; Mr. and Mrs. Percy Pell, Mrs. Pell was tastefully dressed in steel colored silk with a handsome diamond crescent holding a rare old lace collar; Mr. William Price accompanied by his charming sister Lydia, dressed in black lace and satin and diamonds; Mr. Edward Cochran accopanied by Miss Florence Pell, dressed in black silk and lace, with diamonds as ornaments; Mr. William Byles accompanied by his daughter Ida, dressed in brown silk and ruby and pearls as ornaments, also accompanied by a lady friend; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Glazier, the latter was neatly dressed in black silk and diamonds; Mr. Charles Johnson accompanied by his sisters Julia and Etta, both dressed in white satin and lace, ornaments, diamonds and pearls; Mr. Eugene Hallett accompanied by Miss Gormerly, dressed in brown silk, ornaments, diamonds; Mr. Joseph Ketcham accompanied by Miss Josie Price, dressed in navy blue silk with white lace front and diamond necklace; Mr. James Fitzgerald and sister of New Rochelle, dressed in brown silk and diamonds; Mr. William Hallett accompanied by Miss Schube dressed in white silk with diamonds in hair, set in the latest Parisian fashion -- a beautiful dancer; Mr. Fred Schube accompanied by Miss Lorms, dressed in pale blue silk cut a la princess Eugenie with diamonds in ears, and several others too numerous to mention.  It was one of the richest and best dressed affairs of this county.  Among the gentlemen present were Mr. Thomas Coulter, Harry Booth, Isaac Van Allen, Terry Ferguson, Wesley Leviness, Hugh Ryan, Thomas Mulligan, John P. Hawkins, Jr., James Prout, Wesley Beattie, Samuel Graham, Jr., Stanley Bergan, John Brady, Messrs. Donlin Brothers, Charles Stringham, Ale. Ferguson, James Anderson, Cyrus Pell, Wal. Carson, Thad. Rolfe, William Stringham, Jacob Smith, Sr., Frank Collins and several others.  At the given hour the silk plush rocker which was voted to the most prominent young lady was presented to Miss Josie Price, she receiving 79 votes.  After the presentation the dance was kept up until early morn, which brought to a close one of the most successful and enjoyable affairs of the season. . . ."

Source:  CITY ISLAND TATTLER, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec. 17, 1889, Vol. XXI, No. 1,255, p. 3, col. 3.  

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."