FEBRUARY

12th

William Arthur Cummings, who has been accused of signing contracts with 3 different clubs for the 1872 season, will be allowed to play with the Mutual Club of NY.

MARCH

4th

The National Association of Professional Baseball Players holds its annual convention in Cleveland. Eight clubs send delegates. Bob Ferguson, Atlantics IF, is elected president. Each team is required to play a series of 5 games with each club. Whoever wins the most games will be declared champion. The rules will now permit the use of the wrist in pitching.

APRIL

13th

A gathering of Cincinnatians takes place on the old Union Grounds to witness the auction of the trophies of the famous Cincinnati Red Stockings Baseball Club. Balls from the Reds' victories of 1869 and 1870 sell for an average of $2-$4 each.

18th

The first match of the season is played at Washington, and the Lord Baltimores hand the Olympics their first "Chicago," or shutout game, ever, winning 16-0. Other teams in the professional association are the Atlantics, Athletics, Boston, Cleveland, Eckfords, Haymakers, Nationals, Mutuals, and the Mansfields of Middletown, CT.

26th

Troy and Middletown begin their season with a well-pitched game by George Zettlein, now with the Haymakers. For the Mansfields, in their first big- league game, a 10-0 loss, are Tim Murnane and future Hall of Famer Jim O'Rourke. O'Rourke, later a prominent Boston Reds player, will close out a noteworthy career by catching a full game for the New York Giants in 1904.

MAY

4th

A cold, blustery day in Philadelphia does not deter 5,000 spectators who turn out to see the season's first game between last year's champions, the Athletics, and the number one contender, the Boston Reds. Philadelphia scores 6 in the 7th inning to win the game 10-7.

20th

A dispute stops play in the Baltimore-Athletics game. With one out and Mike McGeary on 2B and Adrian "Cap" Anson on 1B, Anson is thrown out at 2B on an attempted steal on a pitch that gives the batter a base on balls. The umpire calls Anson out on the grounds that he attempted to steal before Denny Mack received the pitch, a ball, entitling him to his base. During the argument, McGeary steps off 3B and is tagged out, ending the inning. A great uproar starts and the game is stopped. The game will be replayed.

29th

The first game to be played in Chicago since the Great Fire is played on the new grounds of the Chicago Base Ball Association before an enthusiastic crowd of 4,000. Baltimore defeats Cleveland 5-3.

JUNE

15th

During the Athletics-Atlantics game, Tom Barlow bunts the ball and reaches first safely. The New York Clipper describes the play: "After the first two strikers had been retired, Barlow, amid much laughter and applause, 'blocked' a ball in front of the home plate and reached first base before the ball did." That is one of only 3 hits off Dick McBride, as the Athletics win 11-1.

JULY

6th

Cleveland defeats the Eckford club at the Union Grounds in Brooklyn 24-5. Cleveland C Scott Hastings gets 6 hits and scores 5 runs. Cleveland plays the game with only 8 players.

The Boston team under Harry Wright leaves for one of the islands in Boston's Harbor for 10 days of hunting and fishing for a week's vacation. Boston's record is now 22-1.

26th

The National Association holds a special meeting, resolving that, because some teams have dropped out of the race for 1872 (Troy, Nationals, and Olympics), 9 games will be played between contending teams this season instead of 5.

AUGUST

8th

Twenty-five hundred people watch the Baltimore Canaries rally for 3 runs in the 9th to tie the Mutuals 8-8 and then win the game in the 12th 12­8 at the Union Grounds in Brooklyn.

15th

The Maple Leaf Club of Guelph, Canada, the Canadian champions, plays the Mutuals on the Union Grounds. The Canadians started their American tour in Baltimore on the 12th, losing 25-5. Yesterday they lost in Philadelphia to the Athletics 35-8. Today, in a close game they lose to the Mutuals 9-4.

19th

After the defeat of the Forest Citys of Cleveland by Boston 18-7 at Cleveland, the club disbands. There are now only 6 clubs left playing for the pennant.

SEPTEMBER

1st

Albert Thake, 22-year-old LF of the Brooklyn Atlantics, drowns off Fort Hamilton, in New York Harbor, while fishing. A benefit game is arranged by Bob Ferguson between the old Brooklyn Atlantics and members of the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings.

14th

An unusual play highlights the Athletics-Boston match in Philadelphia. With the Athletics leading 4-1 in the 7th inning, and runners on 1B and 2B, Fergy Malone pops up to SS George Wright. Wright catches the ball in his hat and then throws the ball to 3B after which it is thrown to 2B. Wright claims a double play has been completed, as a batter cannot be retired with a "hat catch," and thus runners Cap Anson and Bob Reach are forced out. The umpire finally gives Malone another at-bat, declaring nobody out. Athletics win 6-4.

OCTOBER

5th

Baltimore scores 39 runs on 42 hits to the Atlantics' 14 runs on 11 hits. The ball used was so hard and elastic it was dangerous to try and catch it. Scott Hastings, the Baltimore catcher, scores 6 times on 7 base hits.

8th

The "Grand Base Ball Tournament" begins, a series of games played on the Union Grounds in Brooklyn between the 3 major professional clubs: Mutuals, Athletics, and the Reds of Boston. First prize will be $1,800. Today's game ends in a tie, Mutuals 7, Boston 7. The tournament will end October 17th with Philadelphia and Boston splitting the prize money.

15th

A contest of throwing the baseball is held on the Union Grounds in Brooklyn, first prize being $25. Six contestants make 3 throws each from CF toward home plate. John Hatfield's last throw carries 133 yards, 1 foot, and 71Ž2 inches to capture first prize and break his 1868 record of 132 yards.

22nd

The Boston Red Stockings win the championship of the 1872 season, winning their 39th game by defeating the Eckfords 4-3.