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 CHAPTER XXVII.

1888-1910

T must be conceded that efforts to introduce Base Ball into England have not met with the full degree of success that American lovers of the game had hoped and prophesied. Although, as heretofore chronicled in these pages, the game had been presented by strong teams in 1874 and again in 1889, it was not until about eight years ago, in 1903, that regular Base Ball clubs began to be organized in England. This long delay was due, doubtless to two facts connected with the exhibition given in 1889. The day upon which that game was played was characterized by a typical London fog, rendering it very difficult for the crowd to note the fine points of the game, and not easy for players to present the sport in the most attractive way. But even at that, Base Ball was played in such a skillful, scientific and altogether energetic manner as to discourage our British cousins from undertaking it at once. Perfectly satisfied with cricket, and not feeling the need of a new sport, the American pastime was soon forgotten.

However, it is impossible to keep Americans from playing their national game, and it happened that certain of our countrymen living at the time in England got 383