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Washington, D.C. "Playground, Madison School baseball, May 20, 1914." 5x7 inch glass negative, National Photo Company Collection. View full size.
As Frank Zappa quietly observes in the background ...
The boy in the back with his nose in a book paying no attention to the game is my favorite. That's my kind of kid.
In this case, the tie goes to the batter.
Madison School was constructed in 1889 at the corner of G Street and 10th NE. That building (651 10th St NE) is still in place, following a historically-sensitive renovation around 2016. Variously known as the the John Young Center, Madison Shelter, and now one of the Houses of Ruth, it provides transitional housing for women in the District.
I wonder if there is a pool hall in the vicinity? Several of the lads have buckled their knickerbockers below the knee. I wonder if these same lads have nicotine stains on their fingers? And perhaps they've got dime novels hidden in the corn crib. I sense trouble, with capital "T", and that rhymes with "P" and that stands for "Pool"!
"Base" ball? Looks more like sofa cushion ball!
As an avid competitive cyclist (admittedly less so as I age), I'd like to add a different perspective on the observation of the bicycles. Although I can completely understand how a non-enthusiast would say that bikes across the 100+ years have changed very little, from my perspective it is no different than saying cars haven't changed much either. They still have four wheels, and engine in the front (usually), and a place you sit behind a steering wheel, with a gas pedal and a brake pedal, just like they did 100+ years ago.
Yes, cars have arguably changed more so, but please believe me that bicycles have come a LONG way from what these kids were riding. This is especially true of bikes made to leave the pavement, which have evolved immensely just over the past three decades.
Now having said all that, I will admit that it is interesting to note that in spite of many efforts over the decades to create different designs, the "double triangle" frame, and the chain-based drivetrain still dominate.
What a wonderful image. The clothes stand out a bit, but otherwise this could be kids of almost any era doing what kids do, having fun. Suddenly I am feeling deeply nostalgic.
Everything about this photo looks like 100+ years ago except for the bicycles. They just don't look that much different from what you see today.
I wonder if the man in the straw boater is looking for future major league prospects. He looks like he's sizing up someone.
Did kids ever really dress like this?? Oh sure, we have the photos -- and the "Boy Mechanic" line drawings -- but still it seems like the world's biggest and most successful prank; a century-plus now and nobody ever spilled the beans.
What a neat photo! And I bet there were some good players too. When I was a kid, I had a catcher's mitt like that -- my folks bought it at an auction.
That nose shows no sign of having been broken. Catching with no protective gear can fix that in a hurry.
I hope he doesn't get "ding-donged" -- only catchers will get this saying. Oh the agony.
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