Cleveland Forest Citys
Encyclopedia
The Forest Citys were a short lived professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio
in the early 1870s. The actual name of the team, as shown in standings, was Forest City, not "Cleveland". The name "Forest Citys" was used in the same generic style of the day in which the team from Chicago, Illinois was called the "Chicagos". "Forest Cities" is incorrect usage. Modern writers often refer to the club as the "Cleveland Forest Citys", which does not reflect 1870s usage, but does distinguish the team from the Rockford, Illinois professional team
that was also called "Forest City".
Professional baseball began in Cleveland in 1869, following the lead of the first openly professional team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings
, on the other side of Ohio. The Forest City club was the first fully salaried Cleveland team, beginning in 1870 as an independent.
In 1871
the Forest Citys joined the first professional league, the National Association
.
The Forest Citys' home games were played at the National Association Grounds
in Cleveland. Forest City played in the very first National Association game, as the visiting team against the Kekionga
club of Fort Wayne, Indiana
. They were shut out by a score of 0-2.
The Forest City club's record over its two seasons was poor, winning 16 and losing 35. The small quantity of games was typical in the early years, when teams often played only once a week. The team folded after the 1872
season.
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
in the early 1870s. The actual name of the team, as shown in standings, was Forest City, not "Cleveland". The name "Forest Citys" was used in the same generic style of the day in which the team from Chicago, Illinois was called the "Chicagos". "Forest Cities" is incorrect usage. Modern writers often refer to the club as the "Cleveland Forest Citys", which does not reflect 1870s usage, but does distinguish the team from the Rockford, Illinois professional team
Rockford Forest Citys
Rockford Forest Citys , from Rockford, Illinois was one of the first professional baseball clubs. Rockford played for one season during the National Association inaugural year of 1871.-Origins:...
that was also called "Forest City".
Professional baseball began in Cleveland in 1869, following the lead of the first openly professional team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings
Cincinnati Red Stockings
The Cincinnati Red Stockings of were baseball's first fully professional team, with ten salaried players. The Cincinnati Base Ball Club formed in 1866 and fielded competitive teams in the National Association of Base Ball Players 1867–1870, a time of a transition that ambitious Cincinnati,...
, on the other side of Ohio. The Forest City club was the first fully salaried Cleveland team, beginning in 1870 as an independent.
In 1871
1871 in baseball
-Champions:*National Association : Philadelphia Athletics*National Association of Amateur Base Ball Players: Star of Brooklyn, 30–13*National Association of Junior Base Ball Players: Fly Aways-National Association final standings:...
the Forest Citys joined the first professional league, the National Association
National Association of Professional Base Ball Players
The National Association of Professional Base Ball Players , or simply the National Association , was founded in 1871 and continued through the 1875 season...
.
The Forest Citys' home games were played at the National Association Grounds
National Association Grounds
National Association Grounds was a baseball grounds in Cleveland, Ohio. It was home to the Cleveland Forest Citys of the National Association in 1871 and 1872, so it is considered a major league ballpark by those who count the National Association as a major league.- References :*Retrosheet. ....
in Cleveland. Forest City played in the very first National Association game, as the visiting team against the Kekionga
Fort Wayne Kekiongas
The Fort Wayne Kekiongas were a professional baseball team, notable for winning the first professional league game on May 4, 1871. Kekionga - pronounced KEY-key-awn-guh - is the name of Chief Little Turtle's Miami Indian settlement where the St. Joseph River and the St. Mary's River join to form...
club of Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
. They were shut out by a score of 0-2.
The Forest City club's record over its two seasons was poor, winning 16 and losing 35. The small quantity of games was typical in the early years, when teams often played only once a week. The team folded after the 1872
1872 in baseball
- Champions :* National Association: Boston Red Stockings- National Association final standings :-Statistical leaders:- January–March :* March 4 – At its annual convention being held in Cleveland, the NA adopts a rule change to allow the use of the wrist in the pitching delivery.- April–June :*...
season.
Further reading
- Wright, Marshall (2000). The National Association of Base Ball Players, 1857-1870. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co. ISBN 0-7864-0779-4