1885 – A lower court in New York, NY decides that playing baseball on Sunday is a crime. This decision will be overturned, but it will be appealed.

ByTom

1885 – A lower court in New York, NY decides that playing baseball on Sunday is a crime. This decision will be overturned, but it will be appealed.

1885 – The American Association is reorganized, with clubs from St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Brooklyn, Louisville, New York and Baltimore.

ByTom

1885 – The American Association is reorganized, with clubs from St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Brooklyn, Louisville, New York and Baltimore.

At a Union Association meeting held in Milwaukee, WI, only two clubs show up, the Milwaukee Grays and the Kansas City Unions. It is decided to disband the league after only one season.

ByTom

1885 – At a Union Association meeting held in Milwaukee, WI, only two clubs show up, the Milwaukee Grays and the Kansas City Unions. It is decided to disband the league after only one season.

At a National League meeting, St. Louis is admitted, Cleveland’s registration is formally accepted leaving the league with 8 teams.

ByTom

At a National League meeting, St. Louis is admitted, Cleveland’s registration is formally accepted, and Detroit has its request to remain in the NL granted, leaving only one opening for 1885. However, Cleveland will fail to complete formalities, leaving the league with 8 teams.

The New York Clipper reports that Paul Hines, a Providence Grays outfielder had been challenged to catch a ball dropped from the top of the Washington Monument

The New York Clipper reports that Paul Hines, a Providence Grays outfielder had been challenged to catch a ball dropped from the top of the Washington Monument

ByTom

The New York Clipper reports that Paul Hines, a Providence Grays outfielder, and resident of Washington, DC, had been challenged to catch a ball dropped from the top of the Washington Monument, a distance of “over 535 feet from the ground.” The Clipper calculates the “natural philosophy” involved, and warns Hines of the danger he would confront in attempting such a foolish stunt.

1885 – Millionaire Henry Lucas purchases the Cleveland Blues and plans to fill the vacancy in the National League with his own St. Louis Maroons.

ByTom

1885 – Millionaire Henry Lucas purchases the Cleveland Blues and plans to fill the vacancy in the National League with his own St. Louis Maroons.

Meriden, ahead 5-3 in the top of the ninth inning, wins the Connecticut State League contest when Hartford forfeits because the team refuses to use a new ball, needed to replace the one that was hit foul into a marsh behind home plate, citing the sphere did not come from a box sealed by the league secretary. The suddenly shortened game also featured the only home run hit that season at the Meriden ballpark, a round-tripper stroked by its captain, future Hall of Fame manager Connie Mack.

ByBaseball

Meriden, ahead 5-3 in the top of the ninth inning, wins the Connecticut State League contest when Hartford forfeits because the team refuses to use a new ball, needed to replace the one that was hit foul into a marsh behind home plate, citing the sphere did not come from a box sealed by the league secretary. The suddenly shortened game also featured the only home run hit that season at the Meriden ballpark, a round-tripper stroked by its captain, future Hall of Fame manager Connie Mack.