Brooklyn Enterprise
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The Enterprise Base Ball Club of
Brooklyn Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...
(also known as the Enterprise of
Bedford Bedford is a market town in Bedfordshire, England. At the 2011 Census, the population was 106,940. Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire and seat of the Borough of Bedford local government district. Bedford was founded at a ford (crossin ...
) was an American baseball club in the 1850s and 1860s.


Founding

The Enterprise was founded as an amateur club on June 28, 1856,Enterprise Club of Brooklyn at Protoball.org
/ref> in the neighborhood of Bedford, in Brooklyn, New York. At the time, baseball (then spelled as two words — "base ball") was strictly a non-
professional A professional is a member of a profession or any person who work (human activity), works in a specified professional activity. The term also describes the standards of education and training that prepare members of the profession with the partic ...
sport, played for recreation and exercise. There were no organized leagues, and rules varied by region as there were as yet no agreed-upon standards of play. Shortly after the club was founded, the ''New York Clipper'' described the Enterprise Club (as well as the Star Club of South Brooklyn) as “youths ranging from 15 to 18 years of age, who have organized, like thousands of others, for the purpose of perfecting themselves in the various physical exercises, which are so necessary for a development of the mental faculties." By contemporaneous journalistic accounts, in their first five seasons, the Enterprise were considered an elite "Junior" class squad.“Out-Door Sports: Base-Ball: The Enterprise and Star Clubs of Brooklyn,” '' Porter's Spirit of the Times'', vol. 4, no. 13, May 29, 1858, p. 197, col. 1, per Craig Waff, Protoball.org "Junior" clubs generally consisted of younger, less experienced, but often highly competitive players, the best of whom might be recruited by Senior clubs. The Enterprise were competitive enough to challenge Senior clubs, but often the challenges were not accepted. "We understand that the Enterprise club have challenged several of our leading clubs who have not responded as it was expected they would," according to the ''Brooklyn Daily Eagle''. "Don’t be afraid of the boys gentlemen, but come out boldly and play them even if there is a chance of your being defeated. Those who back out will certainly merit the white feather for an ornament." There was an explosive growth of the game regionally and nationally in the late 1850s. In 1860, the
National Association of Base Ball Players The National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP) was the first organization governing American baseball (spelled as two words in the 19th century). The first convention of 16 New York City area clubs was held at Smith's Hotel, 462 Broome ...
(NABBP), which served to legitimize, standardize, and popularize the game, admitted 21 new teams to its ranks, including the Enterprise.Ryczek, William, "1860 Winter Meetings: Convention of the National Association of Base Ball Players"
at SABR.org (originally published in the book ''Base Ball’s 19th Century Winter Meetings: 1857-1900'')
"Each new entry was required to pay a $5 admission fee and agree to pay annual dues of $5," wrote baseball historian William Ryczek. "Of the new clubs, 13 were from New York state, but the presence of eight from other states was encouraging." Upon admission to the NABBP, the Enterprise began the 1861 season officially recognized as a Senior club.Ryczek, William, and Craig Waff, "Atlantic Base Ball Club," ''Base Ball Pioneers, 1850–1870: The Clubs and Players Who Spread the Sport Nationwide'', McFarland & Co. Inc., 2012, p. 123


Quality of play

“Any one who witnessed the
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game etween the Star Club of Brooklyn and the Enterprise Club of Brooklynwill admit that of all Junior clubs, they rank highest," reported '' Porter's Spirit of the Times''. "It was played by both sides as finely, and as many excellent points were made, as will be seen in almost any match of the Senior players. … We shall watch with much interest the future games of these clubs, and advise those who wish to witness much pretty play, to be present at whatever game they may participate in." The Enterprise was considered an excellent source of talented young players, who were then recruited by more high-profile clubs. According to the ''
New York Clipper The ''New York Clipper'', also known as ''The Clipper'', was a weekly entertainment newspaper published in New York City from 1853 to 1924. It covered many topics, including circuses, dance, music, the Outdoor recreation, outdoors, sports, and ...
'', reporting in 1860, “The Enterprise and Star were the leading junior organizations up to 1859, when both entered the ABBP Last season the Stars took a decided lead, being much stronger than the Enterprise; but this season, judging from the play of the respective clubs thus far, we are inclined to award the palm to the Enterprise club. … he two clubshave been rivals since their organization, the Enterprise club practicing on the same grounds as the Atlantics, and the Stars, up to this season, on that of the Excelsior Club, both the Atlantics and Excelsiors being at times recruited from these junior clubs." After a close loss to the Senior class Brooklyn Atlantics in 1860, the ''
Brooklyn Daily Eagle The ''Brooklyn Eagle'' (originally joint name ''The Brooklyn Eagle'' and ''Kings County Democrat'', later ''The Brooklyn Daily Eagle'' before shortening title further to ''Brooklyn Eagle'') was an afternoon daily newspaper published in the city ...
'' commended the Junior club, noting, "The Enterprise players have learned the value and importance of proper discipline in their nine, and for a young club they are remarkably well organized in this respect, and it is in this that they have an advantage over the Atlantic’s ic who this season has been lacking in this very necessary matter.""Base Ball: Enterprise vs. Atlantic,” ''Brooklyn Daily Eagle'', vol. 19, no. 196, August 18, 1860, p. 3, col. 2
per Craig Waff, Protoball.org


Home field

The concept of a one-team "home field" did not exist in the early days of the sport. Amateur era clubs had "home" playing grounds—such as parks, public recreation areas, or vacant lots—although they were often shared with other teams and other sports (particularly cricket). According to the ''New York Clipper'' in May 1862, “The members of he Atlantic Clubcommenced play for the season n May 12 the late date of their opening game resulting from their having their grounds newly laid out, which has been done under the superintendence of Mr. Wild. The ground is now one of the best of the city, and in a few weeks will be in fine condition. These grounds are occupied by the Atlantics on Mondays and Thursdays, and by the Enterprise club on Wednesdays and Saturdays." The ''Clipper'' added, "There are, therefore, two days each week unoccupied, and these days can be secured on application to Mr. Wild, at the Cline Hill Hotel, corner of Gates and Marcey Avenue.” (Sunday ball was prohibited by law.) In the 1860s, fenced-in parks, such as the
Union Grounds Union Grounds was a baseball park located in the Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, Brooklyn, New York. The grounds opened in 1862 in sports, 1862, its inaugural match being played on May 15. It was the first baseball park ...
(1862) and the
Capitoline Grounds The Capitoline Grounds, also known as Capitoline Skating Lake and Base Ball Ground,Lowry, p. 34 was a baseball stadium, park located in Brooklyn, New York (state), New York, from 1864 to 1880. It was built to rival nearby Union Grounds, also in Br ...
(1864), began hosting competitive sports matches. From 1864 to 1866, the Enterprise shared Brooklyn's lavish, multi-purpose
Capitoline Grounds The Capitoline Grounds, also known as Capitoline Skating Lake and Base Ball Ground,Lowry, p. 34 was a baseball stadium, park located in Brooklyn, New York (state), New York, from 1864 to 1880. It was built to rival nearby Union Grounds, also in Br ...
as their home field. In May, 1865, the ''New York Times'' reported, "The Capitoline grounds ... are to be the locale of some of the most interesting and exciting games of the season. Three ball clubs — the Atlantic, Excelsior and Enterprise — and one cricket Club — the Long Island — occupying it this year. A new clubhouse has been erected, costing several thousand dollars, and ample preparations have been made for the accommodation of the fair sex. In fact it is to be the popular resort of the ball-playing fraternity and their fair guests of the Western District of Brooklyn." That did not mean that all playing fields were conducive to serious ball-playing. The ''Brooklyn Daily Eagle'', covering a game between the Enterprise and the Star Club in June 1865, described the Star Grounds, opposite Carroll Park, as a "vacant lot with cobble-stone paved streets on three sides, and the lot a stony and sterile waste,
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forms what are here called ball grounds—and no man can be expected to make much headway with spikes, on pavement. But this is the best ground South Brooklyn affords, and of course players must make allowances for that."''Brooklyn Daily Eagle'', June 26, 1865, p 2.


Historical record

To date more than 85 games played by the Enterprise have been documented. Records were not kept for an unknown number of games; for others, records were lost, or research has yet to turn up specific details. Some games were documented in Charles Peverelly's ''Book of American Pastimes'', which was self-published in 1866.Reprint of ''Peverelly's Book of American Pastimes''
by John Freyer and Mark Rucker, Introduction by
John Thorn John Abraham Thorn (born April 17, 1947) is a German-born American sports historian, author, and publisher. Since 2011, he has served as the Official Baseball Historian for Major League Baseball. Early life Thorn was born in Stuttgart, Germany ...
,
Arcadia Publishing Arcadia Publishing is an American Publishing, publisher of neighborhood, local history, local, and regional history of the United States in pictorial form.(analysis of the successful ''Images of America'' series). Arcadia Publishing also runs th ...
, 2005
Other Enterprise matches have been documented at Protoball.org, a clearinghouse of information about pre-professional baseball. Enterprise game chronicles have been located in the archives of such New York-based newspapers as ''The New York Clipper'', ''
The Brooklyn Eagle The ''Brooklyn Eagle'' (originally joint name ''The Brooklyn Eagle'' and ''Kings County Democrat'', later ''The Brooklyn Daily Eagle'' before shortening title further to ''Brooklyn Eagle'') was an afternoon daily newspaper published in the city ...
'', ''Porter's Spirit of the Times'', '' Wilkes Spirit of the Times'', ''
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...
'', ''The
New York Daily Herald The ''New York Herald'' was a large-distribution newspaper based in New York City that existed between 1835 and 1924. At that point it was acquired by its smaller rival the ''New-York Tribune'' to form the ''New York Herald Tribune''. Hist ...
'', and others. After the 1861 season, a number of key Enterprise regulars, including first baseman
Joe Start Joseph Start (October 14, 1842 – March 27, 1927), nicknamed "Old Reliable", was one of the most durable regulars of baseball's earliest era, and one of the top first baseman, first basemen of his time. He began his playing career in 1859, ...
and outfielders
Jack Chapman John Curtis Chapman (May 8, 1843 – June 10, 1916) was an American Major League Baseball player and manager who was born in Brooklyn, New York. He began playing in the National Association when he played for the Brooklyn Atlantics and the ...
and
Fred Crane Fred Crane may refer to: * Fred Crane (baseball) * Fred Crane (actor) Herman Frederick Crane (March 22, 1918 – August 21, 2008) was an American film and television actor and radio announcer. He is probably best known for his role as Brent Tarl ...
, left the team and joined the rival
Brooklyn Atlantics The Atlantic Base Ball Club of Brooklyn ("Atlantic" or the "Brooklyn Atlantics") was baseball's first champion and its first dynasty. The team was also the first baseball club to visit the White House in 1865 at the invitation of President An ...
. This caused a rift between the clubs. " e Enterprise ... had shared a field with and been mentored by the Atlantics in the 1850s while the Enterprise was still a junior club," wrote historians Craig Waff and William Ryczek. "But the latter was now a senior club, and the Atlantics’ raid of three ... Enterprise players (in addition to
Charley Smith Charles William Smith (September 15, 1937 – November 29, 1994) was an American professional baseball third baseman. He played in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, New York Mets, St. Lo ...
in 1858) permanently soured the Atlantic-Enterprise relationship. The two clubs would not play against each other again." Though the Enterprise played a busy schedule in 1861, many teams began to scale back games that year, a process that continued through 1863, as many young, able-bodied males were recruited to fight in the
American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...
. Only one 1862 game played by the Enterprise has been documented, and none for 1863. Scoring totals in Enterprise matches, and in all contemporary games, were dramatically higher than in late 19th century thru today. Baseball historian Bruce Allardice said scoring in early games was "reminiscent of
softball Softball is a Variations of baseball, variation of baseball, the difference being that it is played with a larger ball, on a smaller field, and with only underhand pitches (where the ball is released while the hand is primarily below the ball) ...
scores — which should not be surprising, since 1858–65 baseball resembled modern softball as much as it resembled modern baseball."Allardice, Bruce, "Baseball 1858-1865: By the Numbers"
posted at
SABR Sabr () (literally 'endurance' or more accurately 'perseverance' and 'persistence'"Ṣabr", ''Encyclopaedia of Islam'') is one of the two parts of Iman (concept), faith (the other being ''shukr'') in Islam. It teaches to remain Spirituality, sp ...
.org, originally published in the Spring 2020 ''Baseball Research Journal''
MLB historian
John Thorn John Abraham Thorn (born April 17, 1947) is a German-born American sports historian, author, and publisher. Since 2011, he has served as the Official Baseball Historian for Major League Baseball. Early life Thorn was born in Stuttgart, Germany ...
noted that “baseball games of the 1860s typically featured 35 or more combined runs per game, with scores of 60-100 runs not unusual.” Runs scored per game in baseball matches decreased starting in the 1870s as a result of rules changes, craftier pitching, improved fielding, and changes in equipment. No matches involving the Enterprise have been documented beyond 1866. In April 1867, the ''Brooklyn Daily Eagle'', in a brief item about a former Enterprise player named Smith who would be playing for the National Club of Washington that year, referred to the Enterprise as "defunct." According to at least one authoritative historical chronicle, the Enterprise merged with the Excelsior Club in late 1866, and continuing under the name Excelsior fielded a competitive team in 1867.


Legacy

Several players on the Enterprise later went on to extended careers playing professionally in the National Association and the
National League National League often refers to: *National League (baseball), one of the two baseball leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada *National League (division), the fifth division of the English football (soccer) system ...
. One was historically pivotal in establishing how his field position would thereafter be played:
first baseman A first baseman, abbreviated 1B, is the player on a baseball or softball team who fields the area nearest first base, the first of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. The first baseman is responsible for the majori ...
Joe Start Joseph Start (October 14, 1842 – March 27, 1927), nicknamed "Old Reliable", was one of the most durable regulars of baseball's earliest era, and one of the top first baseman, first basemen of his time. He began his playing career in 1859, ...
(although Start is listed in many news accounts as playing third base for the Enterprise). Start had a 27-year career of sustained excellence through 1886, playing professionally with the Atlantic for a decade, then playing 16 years in the Major Leagues. The team name "Enterprise" became common, with similarly named (but unrelated) squads in
Memphis Memphis most commonly refers to: * Memphis, Egypt, a former capital of ancient Egypt * Memphis, Tennessee, a major American city Memphis may also refer to: Places United States * Memphis, Alabama * Memphis, Florida * Memphis, Indiana * Mem ...
(1866), Peoria (1867), Newark (1860),
Jersey City Jersey City is the List of municipalities in New Jersey, second-most populous
(1859), Sidney (1866), Middleport (1868),
Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, second-most populous city in Pennsylvania (after Philadelphia) and the List of Un ...
(1866), Allegheny (PA),''Base Ball Pioneers, 1850–1870: The Clubs and Players Who Spread the Sport Nationwide'', various editors and writers, pub. McFarland & Co. Inc., 2012. Baltimore, Chicago,
Troy Troy (/; ; ) or Ilion (; ) was an ancient city located in present-day Hisarlik, Turkey. It is best known as the setting for the Greek mythology, Greek myth of the Trojan War. The archaeological site is open to the public as a tourist destina ...
(New York), and elsewhere. However, the Brooklyn team is the earliest known to adopt the name.


Significant Enterprise players

Newspaper coverage of amateur-era games generally mentioned only last names in stories, and players were similarly listed in box scores. Hence, the identities of most Enterprise players are unknown. The following players had established careers after leaving the Enterprise: * Jack "Death to Flying Things" Chapman *
Fred Crane Fred Crane may refer to: * Fred Crane (baseball) * Fred Crane (actor) Herman Frederick Crane (March 22, 1918 – August 21, 2008) was an American film and television actor and radio announcer. He is probably best known for his role as Brent Tarl ...
* Bob "Death to Flying Things" Ferguson * George Hall * William H. MurthaRyczek and Morris, "Excelsior Base Ball Club," ''Base Ball Pioneers, 1850–1870'', p. 109. "Murtha was a member of the Enterprise Club for several years." *
Charley Smith Charles William Smith (September 15, 1937 – November 29, 1994) was an American professional baseball third baseman. He played in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, New York Mets, St. Lo ...
* Joseph E. Sprague *
Joe Start Joseph Start (October 14, 1842 – March 27, 1927), nicknamed "Old Reliable", was one of the most durable regulars of baseball's earliest era, and one of the top first baseman, first basemen of his time. He began his playing career in 1859, ...


Documented games


Sources

Freyer, John and Mark Rucker. ''Peverelly's National Game''. Dover, New Hampshire: Arcadia Publishing: 2005.


References

{{Reflist National Association of Base Ball Players teams Defunct baseball teams in New York City Baseball in Brooklyn Baseball teams disestablished in 1866 Baseball teams established in 1856 Defunct baseball teams in New York (state)