The Gunnery and Baseball
Gunnery Baseball from around 1869.
Gunnery Archives.
Mr. Gunn, as a part
of his teaching philosophy, strongly stressed the idea of fun. He wanted
his students to have fun, to laugh, and, in general, enjoy themselves and be
happy. What is a better way to
have fun than to play baseball?
Baseball was brought to Washington, and The Gunnery, in the late 1850s and popularized by the inclusion of the Van Cotts within the Gunnery Family. Judge William H. Van Cott was the president of the National Association of Baseball Players, and two of his sons, William and Leonard went to the Gunnery and became active participants on the ball field. Dan, another Van Cott and gunnery baseball player was Leonard’s and William’s cousin, and went to the Gunnery later. It was a popular game at The Gunnery, and Mr. Gunn was the team's coach, umpire and even player.
It is impossible to know if Charles ever played the game, there are no records, and he never says, but there is evidence that he at least supported the team, and Dan Gunn who was a player on the team.
Source:
Rhoads, Mark T. '04. Metropolitan Baseball in a Small Town Setting. 2004
Baseball was brought to Washington, and The Gunnery, in the late 1850s and popularized by the inclusion of the Van Cotts within the Gunnery Family. Judge William H. Van Cott was the president of the National Association of Baseball Players, and two of his sons, William and Leonard went to the Gunnery and became active participants on the ball field. Dan, another Van Cott and gunnery baseball player was Leonard’s and William’s cousin, and went to the Gunnery later. It was a popular game at The Gunnery, and Mr. Gunn was the team's coach, umpire and even player.
It is impossible to know if Charles ever played the game, there are no records, and he never says, but there is evidence that he at least supported the team, and Dan Gunn who was a player on the team.
Source:
Rhoads, Mark T. '04. Metropolitan Baseball in a Small Town Setting. 2004
