A regular feature looking back at what was being printed around 100 years ago in the Bristol Gazette. This week’s entry comes from the July 24, 1914 edition of the newspaper.
Ministers Stop Sunday Baseball In The Borough
No baseball in Bristol on Sunday was the order issued from the local police station on Saturday evening last week. These orders were given after the chief of police had been requested to enforce the law.
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For several years, Sunday baseball was played in Bristol, drawing great crowds from all directions and the attendance numbering thousands. About two years ago, several of the clergy of the county secured the names of the players of the players and then had requested fines be imposed.
One of the accused refused to pay his fine. After reviewing the case carefully, Judge Ryan rendered a decision declaring the playing of baseball illegal in this state.
During the summer of 1913, a few games of ball were played on Sunday, outside of borough limits and in the spring of the present year, several games were quietly played when those interested secured permission from Manager William A. Bradley to use the St. Paul’s baseball grounds for Sunday games.
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The Independent League was then formed of six clubs, The Federals, Bristol AOC Ancient Order of the Hibernians, Fire Company No. 2, Fire Company No. 4, and Fire Company No. 5.
Organized Sunday baseball then defied the law and regular scheduled games were played in a quiet manner and good order was preserved. No money was paid to any players, all being residents of Bristol, and no money was received for admission. No money was allowed passed, except at the refreshment stand, which was under the direction of the manager of the ground and leased by him.
On Saturday afternoon, five of the clergymen of the borough, Revs. C.E. Burns, William T. Johnston, J.A. Carr, Seaver M. Holden, and George M. Brodhead met at the Methodist parsonage and, upon invitation, Chief Of Police Charles Saxton met with them.
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The meeting was an informal one, the object being to talk over the subject of Sunday baseball and learn from Chief Saxton if it could be stopped.
An advertisement from the July 24, 1914 edition of the Bristol Gazette:
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