Henry Chadwick --The Father of Baseball

photo source

Are you, or someone you know, a fan of America's favorite pastime, baseball?  Did you know that Henry Chadwick is called the "Father of Baseball"?

Born in Exeter, England, and raised playing cricket, he became one of the prime movers in the rise of baseball to its unprecedented popularity at the turn of the 20th century. Chadwick moved to Brooklyn, New York, with his family at the age of 12, and became a frequent player of early ball games called "rounders" which was similar to baseball.  In 1856, while witnessing a well-played match between two New York baseball clubs, he became a fan, and decided to do everything he could to make baseball "a national sport for Americans," as cricket was for the English. At the time he was covering cricket matches for the New York Times and persuaded them, and other newspapers, to also cover local baseball games. He then went on to author innovative score keeping practices, introduced statistics such as batting average and ERA, and became the chairman of the first baseball rules committee.

Chadwick died in 1908 at age 83 and is interred in the National Historic Green-Wood Cemetery located in Brooklyn, New York.  "Father of Base Ball" is inscribed on his grave marker.  A popular stop for visitors to this very scenic cemetery, a few of whom leave baseballs behind on his gravestone as a sign of respect.

His grave site is neatly outlined with "bases."

Bronze reliefs of baseball bats, a fielder's glove and a catchers mask decorate the sides of his gravestone.

Photo Source: Baseball Hall Of Fame

Chadwick was enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1938, the only writer elected to the hall itself.  He certainly left an indelible mark on the history of the game!

I'm linking to post to the weekly "Outdoor Wednesday" event on Susan's blog A Southern Daydreamer. Thanks, Susan, for hosting each week!

Please CLICK HERE to go to my review blog to see where I was treated to a shopping spree to buy items for my bride-to-be daughter--that post will be coming up in a few days!  There is also information on how you can enter for a chance to win a $25 gift card to HomeGoods through Blogher Prizes and Promotions, contest ending June 30, 2011.