|
1875 SEASON
Ten years on from the first season of play in the Metropolitan League, the growth in British baseball shows no signs of slowing down. This year, both the Glasgow and District League and the Middlesex County League add two new members, while the County Championship also grows as Staffordshire and Warwickshire join the competition. There will be three new leagues again this year, with the Essex County League and Bristol & District League being joined by the Leicester & Northampton League, a second competition in the East Midlands. In Scotland, there will also be a county championship to match the English competition, initially beginning with just four teams taking part.
No league is as yet allowing professional play, although expenses may still be paid to cover absence from work should midweek games be required to complete the league programme before November’s international series. This will however be the last season without any professional leagues, as the Manchester and District League has confirmed that it will grow to twelve teams for the 1876 campaign and permit the regular payment of players. This seems certain to lead to regular midweek play for at least the summer months. The Leeds and Bradford League also looks likely to permit payments, but as yet there is no news from any other competitions.
There are no changes to any of the other established leagues, although the clubs of the Lancashire County League have voted to begin their season a week earlier than the other six-team competitions. This is due to a desire to finish the campaign earlier as the light begins to fade in the October evenings.
|