Welkin Base Ball Club

Contrary to popular belief, Baseball was not invented by a single individual, but evolved from various European "bat and ball" games. In New York City, in 1845, Alexander Joy Cartwright, Doc Adams and others were early members of a group of young professionals who made up the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club. The Knickerbockers began the process of formalizing the rules (e.g. bases set at 30 paces or 90 feet apart, establishing foul territory, etc.) in the late 1840s and early 1850s. Establishing clear foul territory was a major improvement as it allowed spectators to get up close enough to the action to become more interested in the game.
Base ball was played during the Civil War. Interest in the game grew immensely in the post-war years. As the popularity (and prospects for getting paying spectators) grew, still more professionalism crept into the game. Eventually, Harry Wright’s Cincinnati Red Stockings fielded the first, openly all-professional team in 1869. In 1876, the National League was established, and the rest is history as base ball evolved into America's National Pastime.

Vintage Base Ball is base ball (yes, it was two words originally) played by the rules and customs of any earlier period. Ballists wear old-style uniforms, either the early long trouser and shield shirt, or a later style lace shirt and knickers, and recreate the game based on rules and research of the various periods of the mid-to-late nineteenth century. Vintage base ball is a reflection of how baseball existed at an earlier time.
The Ohio Village Muffins were the first team to play the vintage game, beginning in 1981, and still fields teams today. There are now over 100 teams throughout the country, and as in the earliest days, all teams are amateur.

EQUIPMENT

Vintage players do not use gloves. Gloves were not widely used in the game until the 1880’s. The bat is much heavier and more variable in size and shape than a modern bat. The ball slightly larger and softer than a baseball of today and constructed in a “lemon peel” format using only one piece of leather. Typically, the game was played on any flat, grassy field that was as free of obstructions as possible.

CONDUCT

In the 1860’s, base ball was a gentlemen’s game, and the players are supposed to act as such. There is no spitting, swearing or other action that may be offensive to a lady. They congratulate their opponents when a good play is made, and help the umpire make close calls with honesty.

THE UMPIRE

Only one umpire is used in the vintage game, and he typically stands behind and off to the side of the field. He is allowed to use both players and spectators alike to judge close plays. He does not call balls and strikes, but rather can issue warnings to the striker (batter) or the hurler (pitcher) if the at-bat is not proceeding well. No hand signals were used; decisions were shouted.

FOUL BALLS

In the modern game, runners that run when a foul ball is hit and not caught for an out can return safely to their original base without fear of being tagged out. This luxury is not available to the vintage player. If the foul ball is recovered and returned to the hands of the pitcher, he may make a play to tag out any runner that has not returned to their base of origin.

GAME PLAY

Some of the more noticeable nuances to the vintage game occur on the field. In the earliest version of the game, players could catch a fair ball on the fly or on one bound (or bounce) to get the batter out. In the 1867 game, the one-bound rule was eliminated. The team captains decide which version to play before the start of the game, though home field rules are usually honored.

But in either case, a foul ball caught on one bound or on the fly is an out, even if it is just a foul tick. Also, a ball is deemed foul only if the first bounce occurs in foul territory. If it strikes fair territory first then goes foul before passing first or third base, the ball is still in play (it’s called a “fair-foul” and often used by strikers who are fleet of foot).

Port Huron's earliest Base Ball game took place on Wednesday, June 12 1867, between the “Welkins” and the “Regulars” of Mount Clemens. It is not known how long the match lasted, or the exact score, but the Welkin Club was victorious and out tallied the Regulars by 29 scores.
The reason they chose the name “Welkin” to represent their club is lost to history. The word welkin means “heavens” or “sky.” “Make the welkin ring,” was a common saying in the late 1860’s. It is believed at least one of the original Welkinites served in the 1st Artillery in the Civil War. The artillery would certainly have made the “welkin ring.”
In August of 1867, the Detroit Base Ball Club hosted the "World's Base Ball Tournament." With 24 clubs participating, the matches began at the grounds of the Detroit Base Ball Club on August 13, 1867, with the fans paying 25 cents each and 50 cents for each vehicle that entered the property. Seats in the grandstand cost an additional fee, and a fence enclosed the ball field. The Detroit Free Press report­ed extensively on the matches. Crowds as large as 5,000 people attended over the tournament's three days.
 The game accounts also offer an insight into at least some opinions of the introduction of mitts for play­ers. The Free Press writer commented, "We have noticed in all the matches played thus far that the use of gloves by the players was to some degree a customary practice, which we think cannot be too highly condemned and are of the opinion that the Custers would have shown a better score if there had been less buckskin on their hands." The players can't be blamed for wanting to protect their hands for defensive purposes; scores such as 41 to 40 and 61 to 32 indicate that offense ruled the diamond.
The original Welkin Base Ball Club participated in the tournament. They traveled the long distance to Detroit on the train. Unfortunately, the train was delayed, and they arrived a day after their scheduled match against the Maple Leaf Club (pictured left) from Hamilton/Guelph Ontario. Discovering they had lost the match by forfeit, they asked the Maple Leafs to not accept a win by forfeit, but play the game. The Maple Leaf Club agreed.
Thursday, August 15 the Welkins played their match-game against the Maple Leaf Club. In the third innings, the Welkins were forced to withdraw from the match when pitcher, Blennerhassett was hit in the back of his hand by a struck ball. The Welkins would have probably lost the match as the score stood 19 to 10 when the Welkins withdrew. The Maple Leaf Club went on to win one of the third prize awards in the tournament. The World's Base Ball Tournament drew many ball clubs and over 5000 spectators. News of the event traveled across the country. An article from the August 16 edition of the New York Times appears at right.
The Welkin Club continued to play base ball in 1867. At the end of their first and only season of play, the Welkin Base Ball Club played a total of six match games. They won their first by 29 scores and lost the remaining five. Their final match game against the Detroit Base Ball Club was a defeat with the score recorded at 95 to 23.

Port Huron Press
Local Matters

May 29, 1867
The Welkin Base Ball Club of this city, challenged the "Regulars" of Mount Clemens, and the same having been accepted, the match will be played at Mount Clemens on the 12th of June. A lively game is anticipated.

June 19, 1867
Base Ball—A matched game was played at Mount Clemens on Wednesday the 12th inst., between the Welkin Base Ball Club of this city, and the first nine of Regular Base Ball Club of Mount Clemens. A very large concourse of people from the adjacent county was in attendance, and the greatest good feeling prevailed throughout the entire day. The game resulted in a victory for the Welkin Club by 29 scores. The Port Huron boys were entertained with a dinner at the Sherman House.
This is the first match game in which the Welkin Club has engaged, having been originated but little over two months. We regret we have not room to give the score.

July 10, 1867
Base Ball—On Friday last a friendly game of Base Ball was played near Fort Gratiot between the Inland City Club of Romeo, and the Welkins of Port Huron. The game was quite close and occupied some six hours. The following is the score:
INNINGS. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Inland City, 2 0 5 5 2 7 7 5 10—43
Welkin, 1 9 9 1 3 0 11 2 1 —38

August 21, 1867
Base Ball—Much interest has been manifested in the World’s Base Ball tournament held in Detroit last week.
The second match on the third day was for a first-class prize between the Maple Leaf Club of Hamilton, Ontario and the Welkin Club of Port Huron. The latter played three innings, and upon the third inning of the opponents, Blennerhassett, pitcher of the Welkins was disabled by a ball which struck him in the back of his hand. The club then withdrew, giving the game to the Maple Leaf Club. The latter would have probably won, as the game stood on the second inning 13 to 5. On the third inning, the Welkins made five and the Maple Leaf had made six runs, no man out, one on base, when the pitcher was disabled and the game withdrawn.
The score stood 19 for the Maple Leaf and 10 for the Welkins. We can but take exception to the ungentlemanly and spitefully garbled report that appeared in the Advisor and Tribune regarding this match. The reporters words show on the face of them that he had some feelings of his own to give vent to, and he stooped far below the dignity of his position to grovel in personal abuse and sarcasm.

September 4, 1867
To-morrow (Thursday) a match game of Base Ball will be played between the Regulars of Mount Clemens and the “Welkins” of this city, at the parade ground near Fort Gratiot. We presume the Welkinites will endeavor to make a good game and in part redeem their recent ill-fortune. The Regulars should therefore come well prepared for action.
The Grand Trunk Railroad will sell tickets to the citizens of Mount Clemens at half price, thus enabling them to come up and see the game at small expense.
September 11, 1867
Base Ball Match—The match game of Base Ball between the Regulars of Mount Clemens and the Welkins of this city, came off as announced, last Thursday, and resulted in the defeat of the latter. The following is the score:
INNINGS. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Inland City, 2 0 5 5 2 7 7 5 10—43
Welkin, 1 9 9 1 3 0 11 2 1 —38
It is but just to state that the Regulars refused to play if Mr. Blennerhassett of the Welkins was allowed to pitch—and to this fact, the Welkins attribute their defeat. We understand another match is to be played at Mt. Clemens next week.

September 25, 1867
Base Ball— The third match game of Base Ball between the Welkins of this city and the Regulars of Mount Clemens came off at Mount Clemens last Thursday—the latter winning by a score of 59 to 39.
Last Saturday the Regulars played a match game with the Detroit Club, and were badly beaten—the score standing 95 to 23.
The match game between the Sarnia and Port Huron Brass Bands, came off at Sarnia on Tuesday of last week, and resulted in a victory for our boys, who came out two ahead. The game was hugely interesting, neither party knowing anything about the rules, and each one going it as “he understood it.”

At this writing, little is known about the original Welkin Base Ball Club. They formed in 1867 and played for only one year. Score cards printed in the Port Huron Press mention ten players:
• Blennerhassett
• H. Botsford
• J. Twiss
• Travers
• Haskell (or Haskill)
• Stevens
• Davis
• Atkinson (John, O'Brien or William)
• O'Neil
• O'Sullivan

It is believed that Blennerhassett is William Henry Blennerhassett, born in 1837. He died in Los Angeles in November, 1911 and is buried in Port Huron. In 1863 Blennerhassett was a Senior attending the University of Michigan, Department of Law. Note that a John T. Travers, Jr. is also listed as a student.
J. Twiss is likely to be John W. Twiss, born in 1840. Twiss married Adelaide King in 1870 and died in 1880.
Haskell may be Amos A. Haskell or Hezekiah H. Haskell. 
Stevens may be Herman W. Stevens. Herman graduated from the University of Michigan in 1866 and from the Law Department in 1868. He served as a Circuit Court Commissioner, a Circuit Court Judge and in 1897 he was elected Mayor of Port Huron.
Atkinson may be Col. John Atkinson, born 1841.Col.  Atkinson was an officer in the 22nd Michigan Infantry during the Civil War and also organized the Thirtieth Regiment of Michigan Volunteers. Col. Atkinson also served as a Judge Advocate on the staff of General Custer. After leaving the Army, we returned to Port Huron and resumed his law practice. His brother O'Brien J. Atkinson was a member of the same law firm and may have been the "Atkinson" of the Welkin Club. Atkinson may also be William F. Atkinson of the Port Huron Commercial. William was born in Port Huron in 1854. In 1867 William Atkinson was working as an editor of the Port Huron Commercial.
O'Sullivan may be Peter F. Sullivan. Peter worked that the Port Huron Commercial with W.F. Atkinson and Col. John Atkinson. One could assume that the three friends worked together on forming the Welkin Base Ball Club.
If you would like to help in researching the original 1867 Welkin Base Ball Club, click on the "contact" link from any of the main pages. Many hands make light work.

Noun

wel·kin

Etymology
Old English wolcen; cognate with Dutch wolk and German Wolke ‘cloud’.
welkin (uncountable)
1. (archaic) The sky, the upper air; the heavens.
◦ c1388, Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales, This day in mirth and revel to dispend Till on the welkin shone the starres bright
2. firmament
Verb
"make the welkin ring"
1. To make a loud noise.
2. By extension of (1), to celebrate or revel.
3. By extension of (1), to experience the noise of asteroids, comets or meteors coming through the upper atmosphere.

It is lost to history why Port Huron's first base ball club chose the name Welkin. The word welkin means “heavens” or “sky.” “Make the welkin ring,” was a common saying in the late 1860’s. It is possible the Welkins named their club after the barque, Welkin that sailed the Atlantic Ocean in the late 1800's.

A barque is a three to five masted sailing vessel primarily used to haul cargo. A typical 1800's style barque is pictured right. The 131 foot Welkin, registered in New York,  regularly sailed to Europe in the late 1800's. She was built in 1853 by Captain Joseph Stetson in Camden, Maine. She was known to carry many goods as well as immigrants. It is possible that one or more of the original Welkins either served aboard the Welkin or were passengers on the barque.

It is believed at least one of the original Welkinites served in the 1st Artillery in the Civil War. The artillery would certainly have made the “welkin ring.”

In 1869 the undefeated Cincinnati Red Stockings sang the following song to their adoring fans:
We are a band of baseball players From Cincinnati city.

We come to toss the ball around And sing to you our ditty
And if you listen to the song We are about to sing,
We'll tell you all about baseball And make the welkin ring.
The ladies want to know
Who are those gallant men in Stockings red, they'd like to know.

This is an individual not often seen on a ball ground, but he nevertheless exists; and as a description of his characteristics will prove advantageous, we give a pen photograph of him, in the hope that his example will be followed on all occasions, for if it were, an end would at once be put to many actions which now give rise to unpleasantness on our ball grounds.
His moral attributes:
The principal rule of action of our model base ball player is, to comport himself like a gentleman on all occasions, but especially on match days, and in so doing he abstains from profanity and its twin and vile brother obscenity, leaving these vices to be alone cultivated by graduates of our penitentiaries.
• He never censures errors of play made by a brother member or an opponent, as he is well aware that faultfinding not only leads to no improvement in the play of the one who blunders, but on the contrary is calculated to have the very reverse effect.
• He was never known to dispute the decision of an Umpire, for knowing the peculiar position an Umpire is placed in, he is careful never to wound his feelings by implying that his judgment is weak.
• He never takes an ungenerous advantage of his opponents, but acts towards them as he would wish them to act towards himself.
His physical qualifications
• To be able to throw a ball with accuracy of aim a dozen or a hundred yards.
• To be fearless in facing and stopping a swiftly batted or thrown ball.
• To be able to catch a ball either on the “fly” or bound, either within an inch or two of the ground, or eight or ten feet from it with either the right or left hand or both.
• To be able to hit a swiftly pitched ball or a “slow twister” with equal skill, and also to command his bat so as to hit the ball either within six inches of the ground or as high as his shoulder, and either towards the right, centre or left fields.
To conclude our description of a model base ball player, we have to say, that his conduct is as much marked by courtesy of demeanor and liberality of action as it is by excellence in a practical exemplification of the beauties of the game; and his highest aim is to characterize every contest in which he may be engaged, with conduct that will mark it as much as a trial as to which party excels in the moral attributes of the game, as it is one that decides any question of physical superiority.
From "Haney's Base Ball Book of Reference" from 1867 by Henry Chadwick