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Play ball!

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Play ball!

In the late 19th century, baseball became the nation’s pastime, and the crack of ball hitting bat was a most common sound at this time of year.

These two photos show athletes from Washington & Jefferson College. The young men in the smaller group appear to be wearing track spikes and clothing more suited for running relays rather than bases. But curiously, the fellow in the center appears to be holding a baseball.

It’s not known exactly what year the W&J baseball team was photographed, but it was taken sometime before the traditional baseball cap found its familiar shape.

These two images were produced from glass negatives in the archives of the Observer-Reporter.

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