(BASEBALL) Ward John Montgomery Base Ball How to Become a Pl

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(BASEBALL.) Ward, John Montgomery. Base-Ball: How to Become a Player, with the Origin, History, and Explanation of the Game. Frontispiece portrait, numerous text illustrations. 8vo, publisher's printed yellow wrappers, minor wear and moderate soiling, a bit of rust from the original staples; pencil marks on page 123. In modern cloth tray case. Philadelphia: Athletic Publishing Company, 1888

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The author was uniquely qualified to write a ballplaying guide, having been a top-flight pitcher, outfielder, and infielder during his career in Providence and New York. He also draws heavily upon observations of his fellow players for examples. The introduction serves as one of the first analytic histories of the game. One of early baseball's most educated players, Ward had graduated from Columbia Law School and formed the first athletic labor union before writing this guide. His short-lived but influential Player's League would come two years later. This guide book has been recently reprinted, and its precepts are still in use by vintage base ball re-enactors across the country.