T h e N a t i o n a l Pa s t i m e i n t h e B ASEBALL: N a t i o n a l A r c h i v e s Our National Pastime in Our National Archives Tools of the Trade Baseball is for Everyone World War I World War II Breaking Down Barriers Diamonds and Dollars For the Love of the Game 7th-Inning Stretch Equal Access Saving the Integrity of the Game Extra Innings OUR NATIONAL PASTIME IN OUR NATIONAL ARCHIVES Millions of fans eagerly branches of the Federal await the opening of the Government and preserved at baseball season in April each the National Archives, what stories year. During the late 19th and 20th can be found? This book showcases a centuries, baseball was the most widely small slice and tells the story of our played sport in the United States, earning national pastime found at the National the title “America’s pastime.” As President Archives. The documents that follow Clinton said on the eve of the 1995 World provide examples of the role of baseball Series, “Baseball is part of our common during the two world wars, fights for heritage.” The story of baseball and the mutually agreeable contracts and equal story of our nation are intertwined. And opportunity on and off the playing field, the since the records at the National Archives universal appeal of the game to players and document our national experience, it only fans (even the “highest-ranking” fans of all seems natural that stories of both baseball —U.S. Presidents), improvements to the and American history would be discovered sport, and celebrations along the way. among these documents. But among the numerous records created by the three TOOLS OF THE TRADE Who were George Rawlings, John Hillerich, or Benjamin Shibe? Without these men the game of baseball would not be what it is today. Each devised improvements to baseball and the tools of the trade—the bat, ball, and glove—and was issued a patent. Bat, Ball, Benjamin F. Shibe, one of the original owners of the Philadelphia Athletics and for whom Shibe Park in and Glove Philadelphia was named, patented a cork-centered baseball on June 15, 1909. Use of this ball in all 1911 games led to powerful hits that went farther and longer. Shibe, as noted in his patent, had simply wanted increased strength and durability for his baseballs. John A. Hillerich of Louisville, Kentucky, devised a method to harden the surface of a baseball bat and promote its ability to drive the ball. Issued a patent on December 23, 1902, Hillerich’s company would later become Hillerich and Bradsby Company, the maker of “Louisville Slugger” bats. To prevent bruising of ball players’ hands, George H. Rawlings, owner of a St. Louis sporting goods store, invented a glove with felt and rubber padding in fingers, thumb, and palm. The illustration with his patent dated September 8, 1885, demonstrates the specific location for padding, in what appears to be a close-fitting glove. The improvements to the game continue today, and new patent applications often reference the patented work of Rawlings, Hillerich, or Shibe. Referred to as the “Edison of Baseball,” Benjamin F. Shibe received many patents related to baseballs. These drawings are part of the patent he received for a cork-centered baseball on June 15, 1909. These illustrations were part of the patent issued to John A. Hillerich on December 23, 1902, for an improved and hardened surface to the baseball bat. George H. Rawlings submitted these drawings for a baseball glove in a patent approved on September 8, 1885. Patent Drawing for Benjamin F. Shibe’s Cork-Centered Baseball, 06/15/1909 [Architectural and Engineering Drawings]; Patented Case Files, compiled 1836–1970; Records of the Patent and Trademark Office, Record Group 241; National Archives at College Park. Patent Drawing for John A. Hillerich’s Baseball Bat, 12/23/1902 [Architectural and Engineering Drawings]; Patented Case Files, compiled 1836–1970; Records of the Patent and Trademark Office, Record Group 241; National Archives at College Park. Patent Drawing for George H. Rawlings’ Baseball Glove, 09/08/1885 [Architectural Citations and Engineering Drawings]; Patented Case Files, compiled 1836–1970; Records of the Patent and Trademark Office, Record Group 241; National Archives at College Park. Book Cover Image: Photograph of Camp Ross Pitcher, 08/07/1945; 569.6 Publicity IX April–Aug. 1945, Central Subject Files, 1941–1946; Records of the Office of the Chief of Transportation, Record Group 336; National Archives at Riverside. Book Intro Media: Made Game [Making Sports Equipment], ca. 1919; Motion Picture Films Relating to the Ford Motor Company, the Henry Ford Family, Noted Personalities, Industry, and Numerous Americana and Other Subjects, compiled ca. 1903–ca. 1954; Collection FC: Ford Motor Company Collection, ca. 1903–ca. 1954; National Archives at College Park. (National Archives Identifier: 91349) BASEBALL IS FOR EVERYONE