Baseball's Gold Rush? An alternate scenario.

H I Mcdonough · 03-10-2010, 01:33 AM

Alexander Cartwright famously drew up his rules in 1845 in New York, and then his Knickerbockers played in the first competitive game under said rules in June of 1846. But in 1849, Cartwright caught himself a little gold rush fever and headed to California. When he finally arrived, six months after leaving New York, the gold rush was over. But he spent six weeks in San Francisco anyway, presumably helping to establish the game of baseball while he was there. Cartwright eventually ended up in Hawaii, and never returned to the East again.

So what if baseball never took hold as a professional sport in the Northeast?

In my scenario, I imagine an alternate reality where the top-level professional league was born on the Pacific coast, where elite high school, college and semi-pro players from all around the expanding country might have migrated west, much like young actors and actresses heading to Hollywood with stars in their eyes.

Though I toyed with the idea of using historical players, I decided in the end to go fictional. I am starting with six well-known franchises from the historical PCL: the Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Seals, Sacramento Solons, Seattle Rainiers, Portland Beavers and Oakland Oaks. There will be no playoffs in the beginning, and although I know the wonderful weather allowed PCL teams to sometimes play as many as 180-200 games a season, I will be staying in the 150-160 range. I have a rough timeline sketched out for expansion, realignment and possibly even franchise relocation. No drafts until 1965; all newcomers will be available in the free agent pool. No free agency either. The reserve clause will be in effect until the mid-70's, just as in real life.

Since I have no idea who the stars will be or what storylines will present themselves, the first several updates will likely be short and to the point until the league sorts itself out and a little history is established. but we'll see how it goes.

03-10-2010, 01:33 AM	#1
H I Mcdonough Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 291	Baseball's Gold Rush? An alternate scenario. Alexander Cartwright famously drew up his rules in 1845 in New York, and then his Knickerbockers played in the first competitive game under said rules in June of 1846. But in 1849, Cartwright caught himself a little gold rush fever and headed to California. When he finally arrived, six months after leaving New York, the gold rush was over. But he spent six weeks in San Francisco anyway, presumably helping to establish the game of baseball while he was there. Cartwright eventually ended up in Hawaii, and never returned to the East again. So what if baseball never took hold as a professional sport in the Northeast? In my scenario, I imagine an alternate reality where the top-level professional league was born on the Pacific coast, where elite high school, college and semi-pro players from all around the expanding country might have migrated west, much like young actors and actresses heading to Hollywood with stars in their eyes. Though I toyed with the idea of using historical players, I decided in the end to go fictional. I am starting with six well-known franchises from the historical PCL: the Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Seals, Sacramento Solons, Seattle Rainiers, Portland Beavers and Oakland Oaks. There will be no playoffs in the beginning, and although I know the wonderful weather allowed PCL teams to sometimes play as many as 180-200 games a season, I will be staying in the 150-160 range. I have a rough timeline sketched out for expansion, realignment and possibly even franchise relocation. No drafts until 1965; all newcomers will be available in the free agent pool. No free agency either. The reserve clause will be in effect until the mid-70's, just as in real life. Since I have no idea who the stars will be or what storylines will present themselves, the first several updates will likely be short and to the point until the league sorts itself out and a little history is established. but we'll see how it goes. Last edited by H I Mcdonough; 03-10-2010 at 01:36 AM.