1914-08-11ass

“Local baseball interest now centers in the appearance of thePhiladelphia Athletics here tomorrow.”

Hamilton Spectator.  August 11, 1914.

Despite forebodings of what the future held as war had broken out in Europe, Hamiltonians looked forward to a couple of hours of diversion.

On August 12, 1914, the reigning champion of Major League Baseball was scheduled to play an exhibition game in Hamilton.

As the sports writer with the Hamilton Spectator pointed out :

“The visit of any of the major league teams to Canadian cities is always an important event in the athletic calendar. Hamilton has established some grand records for receptions tendered to the visitors, and the Detriot Tigers and others have played to monster crowds.

“The indications are that a grand crowd will turn out at Britannia park to witness the game and take a look at the players who have made baseball history.”¹

¹ “Warm Reception Awaits Famous Baseball Squad”

Hamilton Spectator.   August 11, 1914.

The Philadephia Athletics were barnstorming as the team made its way to Washington after playing games in the west. Besides the Hamilton game, the Athletics were to play in Brantford. Following the Brantford game, the major league baseball players would take a train to Hamilton.

The afternoon edition of the Spectator informed those interested that the Athletics were scheduled to arrive in Hamilton at 8 p.m.:

“They will be met by the mayor, the controllers and the baseball club directors. They will be put up at Stroud’s hotel and will be treated to an auto ride around the city tomorrow morning.”¹

There were 6291 tickets to be put on sale for the game at Britannia Park; 1491 reserved seats, 1800 bleachers seats and 3000 for the standing room area. The reserved seats could be purchased at the Bowles’ Lunch room on King street east. All other tickets could be purchased at the gate, beginning at 1:30 p.m.

For fans attending the games, a unique printing had been made for purchase:

“A special souvenir score will be issued, giving the exact line-up of the teams and containing photos of Connie Mack and his $100,000 indeed, together with a brief account of each player. Cards will be on sale at a nominal price of five cents.”¹

To help drum up interest in the game and attract ticket buyers, the players would be driven from the downtown area to Britannia park:

“The game tomorrow afternoon will start sharp at 3 o’clock, and will be preceded by a parade which will leave Gore park at 2 o’clock.

“The parade will be headed by the 91^st Highlanders’ band, and will be participated in by the visiting players, eighteen in number, the civic officials, the local club officials and others.

“The route of the parade will be : South side of King to John street, north side of King street to James street. James to Cannon street. Cannon to John street to Barton street, and east on Barton street to the ball yard.”¹

The game was well-played and the final result was a surprising win by the local squad, 5-4.

Ultimately the game did not set any local attendance records, but nonetheless, a sizable crowd did pay to see the major league players:

“Naturally the event created a great deal of interest locally with the result that a splendid crowd of some thirty-five hundred people were in attendance. This was not a record crowd by any means, but it certainly was a splendid turnout for a weekday match with conditions in this city and the country as they are at present.”²

² “World’s Champions Lost Close Game to Hamilton Nine”

Hamilton Spectator. August 12, 1914.

The appearance of the Philadelphia Athletics was a welcome diversion for Hamiltonians who could forget about events in Europe for a little while before reality set in again.

The Athletics would leave the city on a 6 p.m. train for Washington, D.C.