Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Off Topic => Sports Arena => Topic started by: usav on April 27, 2023, 07:32:48 PM

Title: The Aston Villa Baseball Club (kind of)
Post by: usav on April 27, 2023, 07:32:48 PM
Excuse the millennial speak, but I was today years old when I learned of this: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1890_National_League_of_Baseball_of_Great_Britain)

Quote
The 1890 National League of Baseball of Great Britain was the first, and to date only, professional baseball championship for the national baseball title of Great Britain. The National League's headquarters were located at 38 Holborn Viaduct, London.[1] Aston Villa were the National League champions, despite Derby Baseball Club leading the league for much of the season, following their contentious dismissal from the championship, mid-season. Aston Villa were officially known as Birmingham Baseball Club Limited, with their uniforms emblazoned with ‘Birmingham AV’ on the jersey, despite being officially part of the famous football club. As a result, in some reports of the day, they were referred to as Birmingham. Preston Amateurs were the Amateur League champions, beating Birmingham Amateurs 43-15 and 42–7 in a best of three finals. A large number of leading football and cricket professionals of the era were involved, alongside American professional baseball players.

Title: Re: The Aston Villa Baseball Club (kind of)
Post by: Meanwood Villa on April 27, 2023, 07:47:52 PM
With John Devey playing a starring role I understand
Title: Re: The Aston Villa Baseball Club (kind of)
Post by: Meanwood Villa on April 27, 2023, 07:50:30 PM
https://baseballgb.co.uk/?p=9949
Title: Re: The Aston Villa Baseball Club (kind of)
Post by: PeterWithesShin on April 27, 2023, 07:56:13 PM
There was a book about it, dunno if the club still stock it, they used to years ago as that's where I bought my copy from.

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/5155QSFyAbL._SX340_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)
Title: Re: The Aston Villa Baseball Club (kind of)
Post by: PeterWithesShin on April 27, 2023, 07:57:33 PM
And the team in the Birmingham AV shirts

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B2HIW51CIAIDMOB.png)
Title: Re: The Aston Villa Baseball Club (kind of)
Post by: usav on April 27, 2023, 08:38:16 PM
Love it - thanks for the extra info and pics!
Title: Re: The Aston Villa Baseball Club (kind of)
Post by: Monty on April 27, 2023, 08:56:21 PM
This is great, I had no idea!
Title: Re: The Aston Villa Baseball Club (kind of)
Post by: Brazilian Villain on April 27, 2023, 10:50:34 PM
It's been mentioned on here a few times over the years.

Which British team have been unbeaten holders of their respective main domestic cup for the longest period? (Ie FA Cup/Scottish Cup/Welsh Cup/(Northern) Irish Cup)

130 years on aren't we still the reigning UK Professional Baseball Champions? ;)
Title: Re: The Aston Villa Baseball Club (kind of)
Post by: Monty on April 27, 2023, 10:54:43 PM
It's been mentioned on here a few times over the years.

Which British team have been unbeaten holders of their respective main domestic cup for the longest period? (Ie FA Cup/Scottish Cup/Welsh Cup/(Northern) Irish Cup)

130 years on aren't we still the reigning UK Professional Baseball Champions? ;)

Normally I have your posts memorised like scripture BV but somehow this one slipped my mind.
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