#was reading some neat academic journals about early womens baseball and its really interesting

[goldenstarprincesses]

From the photo album of Lord Arthur Kirkland- Amelia, Smith College, 1883

Historical Note: In 1866, the first all women-baseball team was formed at Vassar College. While this first team, and the many that followed, never lasted long due to outside pressures related to fears that such "manly" activities would harm the female reproductive system, many unofficial teams began to pop-up at the women's college of the Eastern United States. One such team was formed at Smith College in 1883. For many of these early sport pioneers, the uniform consisted of wool dresses that went from either the ankle to just above the knee. Often teams would personalize them with embroidery and other design choices.

Color drawing and references under cut