Historic Pelham

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Pelham Manor Club Defeated Gramatan Country Club in Baseball Game in August, 1902

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."

Members of the Gramatan Country Club baseball team and its supporters were not happy in August, 1902. The Pelham Manor Baseball Club simply had not played fairly when the two clubs met for a baseball game at the Gramatan Country Club. It seems that the Pelham Manor Club brought with it a massive entourage of beautiful women dressed to the nines as spectators in a ploy to distract the Gramatan players. The ploy worked.

Members of the Gramatan Country Club team, it seems, were overwhelmed by so many beautiful women from Pelham Manor. Indeed, a local sports reporter claimed that the susceptible young men of the Gramatan team "could not withstand the charms of the feminine partisan of the Pelham Manor Club." Indeed, according to the sports reporter:

"Never did they play much worse. They seemed not to care how many balls they failed to catch as long as they caught a smile from the visitors. It is not reported how far they succeeded in the latter, but if success was in proportion to their failure in the former they had things quite their own way."

Pelham baseball, of course, was an important social outlet in that simpler time. There was no Internet; no television; no radio; no local movie outlet. Baseball games between local teams were nearly day-long affairs with players and spectators alike enjoying not only the spectacle, but also the social interactions. Indeed, by 1902 Pelham already had a long tradition of baseball gatherings beginning as early as the waning days of the Civil War and continuing through the many games of the Country Club Giants on Shore Road during the 1880s. Pelham had teams on City Island, Shore Road, in Pelham Manor, and in Pelhamville. Games attracted hundreds and, occasionally, thousands, of spectators at times when the Town's entire population ranged between 1,500 to 3,000 people.

I have written repeatedly about early baseball in Pelham. For a list of such articles with links, see the end of today's article.

During the summer of 1902, the Pelham Manor Baseball Club played a series of five games against the baseball team of the Gramatan Country Club. The game that is the subject of today's article was the third in that series and was played on Saturday, August 23, 1902. The game was followed by a Tea that was served at the Gramatan Country Club.

Pelham Manor won its baseball game against Gramatan by a score of 13 to 6. (The news headline said 13 to 7, but the box score included with the article makes clear that the score was 13 to 6.)

The Pelham Manor lineup was:

J. Canty, 3b
E. Nichols, 2b.
Johnson, lf.
O'Neill, 1b.
C. Nichols, ss.
Woods, rf.
Smith, cf.
T. Canty, p.
Douglass, c.

Luckily, Gramatan had a ten-man lineup because in the sixth inning, its pitcher and catcher collided while trying to make a play on a pop fly. The Gramatan pitcher was hurt so badly that he never returned to the game. Gramatan's second baseman took over the pitching duties thereafter.

The Pelham Manor nine leaped out to a quick 4 to 1 lead at the close of the first inning. Though Gramatan scored a second run in the third inning, Pelham Manor replied with another run in the fourth. Then, in the fifth inning, the bats of both teams heated up with Pelham Manor scoring five runs and Gramatan scoring four to bring make the score 10 to 6. Gramatan never scored again while Pelham Manor added two runs in the seventh and another run in the top of the ninth inning. Pelham Manor's ploy, it seems, had worked.

* * * * *

Below is the text of a news article about the baseball game that is the subject of today's article. It is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"PELHAM MANOR CLUB VICTORIOUS.
-----
Defeats Gramatan C. C. Score 13 to 7.
-----

They came with banners flying
And pretty girls galore.

They played tag with the home team
Which made the rooters sore.

And when the game was over
One heard ’midst cries and song

“You can not play at base ball”
“So why not try ping pong?”

Quite a large delegation of pretty maids and matrons journeyed over from Pelham to see their gladiators of the diamond play the Gramatan Country Club. This they did and it is a great question whether it was not a clever ruse on the part of the manager of the Pelham Manor Club to see that so many of the fair ones accompanied the team. Did he not know that nine susceptable [sic] young men who made up the opposing nine could not withstand the charms of the feminine partisan of the Pelham Manor Club? Did he not see that no eye would be kept on the ball that day? We think he did and the playing of the home team bears us out. Never did they play much worse. They seemed not to care how many balls they failed to catch as long as they caught a smile from the visitors. It is not reported how far they succeeded in the latter, but if success was in proportion to their failure in the former they had things quite their own way.

The game outside of the 'gallery' was uninteresting as the visitors played far better ball than the home team, the latter at no stage of the game being dangerous. An unfortunate accident happened in sixth inning when Makepeace and Gibbons collided when running for a fly. Gibbons was so badly hurt that he had to retire from the game.

Pelham Manor Club -- J. Canty, 3b; E. Nichols, 2b.; Johnson, lf.; O'Neill, 1b.; C. Nichols, ss.; Woods, rf.; Smith, cf.; T. Canty, p.; Douglass, c.

Gramatan C. C. -- Grant, 2b. & p.; Kebler, 3b.; Conkey, 1b.; Makepeace, c.; Gibbons, p.; Dinsmore, rf. & 2b.; Ferris, ss.; Burritt, lf. & rf.; Britton, cf.; Gorman. lf.

Score by innings:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
P.M.C............4 0 0 1 0 5 2 0 1 -- 13
G.C.C...........1 0 1 0 0 4 0 0 0 -- 6"

Source: PELHAM MANOR CLUB VICTORIOUS -- Defeats Gramatan C. C. Score 13 to 7, The Bronxville Review, Aug. 28, 1902, Vol. I, No. 32, p. 3, col. 1.

"Gramatan Country Club
-----

The third of the series of five ball games between the Gramatan Country Club and the Pelham Manor Club will be played Saturday in Bronxville. Tea will be served at the club after the game. . . ."

Source: Gramatan Country Club, The Bronxville Review, Aug. 21, 1902, Vol. No. 1, No. 31, p. 5, col. 1.

Cover of 1902 "Spalding's Official Athletic Library Base Ball

Guide." NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

* * * * *

I have written more than forty articles regarding the history of baseball in Pelham and early baseball games played in the Town of Pelham. Below is a listing, with links, of some of my previous postings on the topic of early baseball in Pelham.

Wed., Jan. 11, 2017: Baseball Star Paddy Smith of Pelham.

Mon., Feb. 13, 2017: Important Information About Early Baseball in Pelham Including a Game Against the Monitors of Brooklyn.

Fri., Sep. 30, 2016: More on 19th Century Baseball in the Town of Pelham.

Thu., Jul. 21, 2016: "Base Ball" Match Played at Arcularius Hotel at Pelham Bridge in 1875.

Thu., Feb. 18, 2016: More on the Storied History of 19th Century Baseball in Pelham.

Tue., Dec. 15, 2015: The 1894 Baseball Season in Pelham, New York.

Tue., Sep. 22, 2015: Two Newly-Discovered 19th Century Accounts of Baseball Played in Pelham.

Thu., Jun. 18, 2015: More Early References to 19th Century and Early 20th Century Baseball in Pelham.

Mon., Apr. 06, 2015: Early Baseball Game Played by Pelham Team in 1866.

Mon., Dec. 22, 2014: Rare 1889 Photograph of Baseball Players Playing on Pelham Field.

Wed., Nov. 26, 2014: More Early References to Baseball Played in Pelham.

Thu., Nov. 13, 2014: Baseball Crowds in Pelham Got Out Of Hand in 1896.

Fri., Sep. 12, 2014: Reference to an 1884 Baseball Game Between the Country Club of Pelham and Calumet.

Thu., Jul. 31, 2014: Fascinating Account of Baseball Game Played at Pelham Bridge in 1878.

Mon., Jul. 28, 2014: Additional 19th Century References to Baseball Being Played in Pelham.

Tue., Apr. 08, 2014: More 19th Century References to Baseball in the Town of Pelham.

Fri., Mar. 28, 2014: Earliest Evidence Yet! Baseball Was Played in Pelham Only Months After the Civil War Ended.

Thu., Mar. 20, 2014: 19th Century Baseball in Pelham - Newly-Discovered References.

Tue., Feb. 16, 2010:  Photograph of Only Known 19th Century Women's Baseball Team in Pelham, New York.

Thu., Jan. 28, 2010:   News About Pelham Manor and Pelhamville in 1895 - Lighting Districts, Gas for the Village, Baseball and More.

Tue., Dec. 15, 2009:  Baseball Games Played by the City Island Beldenites and the City Island Rivals in 1884.

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

Fri., Dec. 11, 2009:  Earliest Reference Yet to Baseball Played in Pelham.

Thu., Dec. 10, 2009:  More 19th Century Baseball and Firefighting References.

Wed., Dec. 9, 2009:  City Island Shamrocks Base Ball Club Changed its Name to the Minnefords in 1888.

Wed., Nov. 25, 2009:  Even More Early References to Baseball Played in Pelham.

Tue., Nov. 24, 2009:  Yet Another Reference to Early Baseball in Pelham.

Mon., Nov. 23, 2009:  Additional Brief Accounts of Baseball Played in Pelham in the 19th Century.

Fri., Nov. 20, 2009:  More Accounts of Early Baseball Played in Pelham.

Fri., Nov. 13, 2009:  1894 Account of Developments in Pelham Including a Reference to a Baseball Game Played that Year.

Thu., Nov. 12, 2009:  More Early References to Baseball Played in Pelham.

Wed., Sep. 30, 2009:   Score of June 1, 1887 Baseball Game Between the Country Club and The Knickerbocker Club.

Fri., Mar. 20, 2009:   Another Reference to 19th Century Baseball in Pelham.

Tue., Mar. 4, 2008:   Another Brief Reference to 19th Century Baseball in Pelham.

Mon., Nov. 26, 2007: Box Score of a Baseball Game Played on Travers Island in Pelham Manor in July 1896.

Wed., Nov. 21, 2007: Baseball on Travers Island During the Summer of 1897.

Fri., Jul. 20, 2007: Account of Early Baseball in Pelham: Pelham vs. the New York Athletic Club on Travers Island in 1897.

Fri., Nov. 10, 2006: The Location of Another Early Baseball Field in Pelham.

Mon., Oct. 9, 2006:   Reminiscences of Val Miller Shed Light on Late 19th Century Baseball in Pelham and the Early Development of the Village of North Pelham.

Thu., Mar. 23, 2006: Baseball Fields Opened on the Grounds of the Westchester Country Club in Pelham on April 4, 1884.

Tue., Jan. 31, 2006: Another Account of Baseball Played in Pelham in the 1880s Is Uncovered.

Thu., Oct. 6, 2005:   Does This Photograph Show Members of the "Pelham Manor Junior Base Ball Team"?

Thu., Sep. 15, 2005: Newspaper Item Published in 1942 Sheds Light on Baseball in 19th Century Pelham.

Thu., Feb. 10, 2005: New Discoveries Regarding Baseball in 19th Century Pelham.

Bell, Blake A., Baseball in Late 19th Century Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 17, Apr. 23, 2004, p. 8, col. 2.

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."

Labels: 1902, Baseball, Baseball Team, Gramatan Country Club Baseball Team, Pelham Manor Baseball Club, Recreation, Sport, Sports

Friday, December 19, 2014

More 19th Century Pelham Baseball References

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."

Since it is only 63 days until New York Yankees pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 20, it is time to document a few more instances of 19th century baseball in Pelham. The first item is the most significant of the three references set forth in today's Historic Pelham Blog. It describes and annual "Challenge Cup" competition held for at least three years (1884, 1885, and 1886) between one of the nation's best ball clubs (the New York Knickerbocker Club) and the Country Club Nine (also known as the Country Club Giants) based in Pelham, New York. The remaining two references included in today's posting provide additional insight into the popularity of the sport and the way it was played in the late nineteenth century.

1887 Baseball Game Like Those Played in Pelham.

"THROWN OUT ON SECOND BASE - GILBERT GAUL --

[SEE PAGE 647.]" Source: Harper's Weekly, Sep. 10, 1887.

The Challenge Cup, 1884-1886

By 1886, the New York Knickerbocker Club was one of the most accomplished baseball clubs in the United States. For at least three years (at that time), the New York Knickerbockers tested its best nine, annually, against the best ball players that Pelham had to offer.

The tiny Town of Pelham offered, annually, the best nine of its Country Club Giants (also known as the "Country Club Nine.") For at least three years, by 1886, the two clubs had battled annually for supremacy. They battled annually for a "Challenge Cup."

On June 5, 1886, The Evening Telegram, published in New York City, referenced the third of the three battles between the teams. The paper, however, had no results, and was only able to report that the two teams had played the third of their annual matches. Below is a transcription:

"Yesterday the Knickerbocker Club nine were to play the Country Club nine their third annual match of baseball for the challenge cup. The Tantivy coach to Pelham has been doing fairly well, but the rush is over and seats can be had without much trouble. Of course on Tuesday, what with the Paulding-Freeman wedding and the Tuxedo entertainment, the coach would have gone empty had not Mr. Roosevelt filled it with a large delegation of nurses and children, Mrs. Roosevelt betting on the box seat."

Source: Society, The Evening Telegram [NY, NY], Jun. 5, 1886, p. 4, col. 6.

This fascinating and important account of the "Challenge Cup," offered for the third time in 1886, provides an amazing opportunity for further early baseball research. The "Challenge Cup," of course, likely involved a trophy cup -- sterling silver, perhaps.

Baseball Rivalry Between Pelhamville and Pelham Manor in 1894

Pelhamville and Pelham Manor had a raging baseball rivalry in 1894. A brief reference to the rivalry and the third game of the season between the two held that year appeared in the May 24, 1894 issue of The Chronicle published in Mount Vernon, New York. The reference read:

"OUR NEARBY NEIGHBORS.
-----
Pelhamville. . . .

The celebrated amateur base ball nine of this village will soon play the 'Pelham Manors,' making the third contest this season. After this game they will make preliminary arrangements to play on Decoration Day, the name of their opponents will be seen in our next issue."

Source: OUR NEARBY NEIGHBORS -- Pelhamville, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], May 24, 1894, p. 4, col. 3.

Pelham Beats Eastchester 14-4 on September 16, 1894

Pelham Beats Eastchester 14-4 on Sunday, September 16, 1894. A brief reference to the game appeared in the September 20, 1894 issue of The Chronicle. The reference read as follows:

"The Eastchester's engaged the Pelham's in a base ball contest last Sunday, but the latter retained their championship as shown by the score which at the close of the ninth inning was as follows: Pelham's, 14. Eastchester's, 4."

Source: OUR NEARBY NEIGHBORS -- Pelhamville, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Sep. 20, 1894, p. 4, col. 1.

* * * * *

Below is a listing, with links, of my previous postings and a published article on the topic of 19th century baseball in Pelham.