[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10] [House] [Pages 13368-13371] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]RECOGNIZING PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, AS BEING HOME TO THE EARLIEST KNOWN REFERENCE TO THE WORD ``BASEBALL'' Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1050) recognizing Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as being home to the earliest known reference to the word ``baseball'' in the United States as well as being the birthplace of college baseball, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 1050 Whereas Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is the home of a historic document discovered in Pittsfield's archives by noted baseball historian John Thorn in 2004; Whereas the historic document is a bylaw, passed by the Town of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, during a town meeting on September 5, 1791, which states that ``for the Preservation of the Windows in the New Meeting House . . . no Person or Inhabitant of said town, shall be permitted to play at any game called Wicket, Cricket, Baseball, Football, Cat, Fives or any other game or games with balls, within the Distance of Eighty Yards from said Meeting House''; Whereas this bylaw was created to protect the windows of the new meetinghouse in the Town of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, which is currently the Congregational Church, designed by renowned architect Charles Bulfinch in 1789 and completed in 1793; [[Page 13369]] Whereas Pittsfield, Massachusetts, through the First Home Plate project will commemorate being known as the home of the oldest known documentation of the game by erecting three permanent monuments, Bat, Ball, and Glove, to recognize Pittsfield's unparalleled position in baseball history; Whereas the monuments will highlight and represent the great virtues of the game that have solidified baseball as our national pastime; Whereas the virtues of baseball are innocence, youth, bridging generations, and how it parallels the great history of our Nation; Whereas Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is also the home of many historical baseball moments; Whereas Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is the birthplace of college baseball in the United States as it is the site of the first intercollegiate baseball game between Amherst College and Williams College, which took place on July 1, 1859; Whereas in 1865, Ulysses F. ``Frank'' Grant, generally considered the best African American player of the 19th century, was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts; Whereas Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is the home of Wahconah Park, an enclosed ballpark and grandstand, originally built in 1892 and placed on the National Historic Register in June 2005; Whereas Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is where in 1921 and 1922, the Boston Red Sox played 2 exhibition games at Wahconah Park against the Hillies; Whereas Boston won the first game with a score of 10 to 9 and the Hillies won the second with a score of 4 to 1; Whereas in 1922, Jim Thorpe, considered one of the most versatile athletes in modern sports, played baseball at Wahconah Park; Whereas in 1924, Lou Gehrig made his professional debut with the Hartford Senators at Wahconah Park, where he hit a home run into the Housatonic River; Whereas in 1942, future major leaguer Mark Belanger was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts; Whereas on June 1, 1976, a recreation of the 1859 Williams and Amherst collegiate baseball game took place in Pittsfield, Massachusetts; Whereas Pittsfield, Massachusetts, hosted a vintage baseball game which was broadcast on national television in 2004; Whereas Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in 2005, welcomed the Pittsfield Dukes, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, who made their second season debut at Wahconah Park in 2005; and Whereas on August 31, 2007, His Excellency, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, proclaimed September 5, 2007, to be Pittsfield Baseball Day in the Commonwealth: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives-- (1) recognizes the importance of college baseball to the Nation; and (2) recognizes the birthplace of college baseball as Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland. General Leave Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1050 into the Record. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Maryland? There was no objection. Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1050, which recognizes Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as the birthplace of our Nation's great sport: baseball. This great sport is interlaced into American culture, history, and tradition. Baseball is our Nation's national pastime, and Pittsfield, Massachusetts, helped create the American sporting culture. Legendary players such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Cy Young, Hank Aaron, Cal Ripken, and other Hall of Fame players raised the level of play and integrity of the game. The first recorded mention of baseball in known history occurred when a Pittsfield bylaw passed on September 5, 1791, banned the playing with bats and balls near the town's newly constructed meetinghouse. This ordinance is the first known reference to the game in U.S. history. Other notable historic moments took place in Pittsfield. The very first collegiate baseball game in the United States took place there on July 1, 1859, between Amherst College and Williams College. Ulysses F. Grant, the most prominent 19th century African American player, was born in Pittsfield. Wahconah Park, a famous ballpark and grandstand built in 1892, is located there. The Boston Red Sox won their first game in that park. Lou Gehrig made his professional debut with the Hartford Senators there where he hit a home run into the Housatonic River. With every great baseball moment, Pittsfield is a part of the significance. The first home plate project will erect a bat, ball, and glove statues in Pittsfield. These monuments symbolize great virtues, innocence, purity, and parallels to American culture. Let Congress at this time recognize and honor the contribution Pittsfield plays in our Nation's history. I would like to recognize Pittsfield, Massachusetts' role in our Nation's history, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker I rise today in support of House Resolution 1050, recognizing Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as being home to the earliest known reference to the word ``baseball'' in the United States. The question of the origins of baseball has been the subject of debate and controversy for more than a century. Baseball, as well as the other modern bat, ball, and running games, were developed from earlier folk games. Previous beliefs held that baseball was invented in 1839 by Abner Doubleday in Cooperstown, New York. This belief provided the rationale for baseball centennial celebrations in 1939, including the opening of a National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Still, few historians and even the hall's vice president believed that Cooperstown was indeed the birthplace of the game, most preferring to believe that ``baseball wasn't really born anywhere.'' In 2004, however, historian John Thorn discovered a reference to a 1791 bylaw prohibiting anyone from playing ``baseball'' within 80 yards of the new meetinghouse in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The so-called ``Broken Window Bylaw'' soon became the earliest known reference to baseball in North America and allowed Pittsfield to lay claim to the honor. Baseball is unique among American sports in several ways. This uniqueness is a large part of its longstanding appeal and strong association with the American psyche. Some philosophers describe baseball as a national religion. This popularity has resulted in baseball's being regarded as more than just a major sport. Since the 19th century, it has been popularly referred to as the ``national pastime,'' and Major League Baseball has been given a unique monopoly status by the Supreme Court of the United States. Baseball is fundamentally a team sport. Even a team blessed enough to have two or three Hall of Fame-caliber players cannot count on success. Yet it places individual players under great pressure and scrutiny. Many Americans believe that baseball is the ultimate combination of skill, timing, athleticism, and strategy. The pitcher must make good pitches or risk losing the game. The hitter has a mere fraction of a second to decide whether to swing. The field players, as the last line of defense, make the lone decision to try to catch it or play it on the bounce, to throw out the runner at first base or to try to make the play at home. Baseball has truly provided countless Americans fond memories of their youth over the years, and I am honored to stand here today recognizing Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as being home to the earliest known reference to the word ``baseball'' in the United States. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, at this time I yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of this bill, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Olver). Mr. OLVER. I thank the gentleman for yielding time. Madam Speaker, I am pleased today that the House of Representatives is [[Page 13370]] considering House Resolution 1050, which honors the city of Pittsfield for its rich baseball history. As a sponsor of this legislation, I would like to thank the Committee on Education and Labor, especially the gentleman from California Chairman George Miller for his assistance in bringing this resolution to the floor. Pittsfield, Massachusetts, can trace its baseball roots all the way back to 1791. {time} 1730 The city, which was only the town of Pittsfield then, was in the middle of constructing a new meeting house. Trying to protect the windows of this new building, the town enacted a bylaw that banned the playing of ``baseball'' within 80 yards of it. You see, even back in 1791, youths were already breaking windows playing America's favorite national pastime. With that, the first mention of baseball was penned into history. Madam Speaker, besides being home to the earliest known reference to baseball, this resolution also honors the city for being designated the Birthplace of College Baseball by the College Baseball Hall of Fame. On July 1, 1859, the city hosted one of the Nation's oldest collegiate rivalries, Williams College versus Amherst College, in the first collegiate baseball game to be played in the Nation. Now this game was played under the old ``Massachusetts'' rules. No gloves were used, the ball was pitched under hand, only one out was necessary, and a foul ball, if uncaught, was considered a hit. The record shows that Amherst College won this first contest by a score of 73-32. Pittsfield is also the site of many other historical baseball moments. Among others, this resolution honors the city for being the birthplace of Ulysses F. Grant, born in 1865, who's generally considered to be the best African American player of the 19th century, as well as Mark Belanger, born in 1944, who spent most of his career playing for the Baltimore Orioles. In 1924, Lou Gehrig made his professional debut at Wahconah Park, the venerable ballbark in Pittsfield that is listed on the National Historic Register, and in that debut he appropriately hit a home run into the Housatonic River. Jim Thorpe, considered one of the most versatile athletes in modern sports, also played there. In recognition of its baseball past, the city of Pittsfield plans to erect three permanent monuments, Bat, Ball, and Glove, representing the virtues of the game. Overall, Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize the city of Pittsfield for its rich baseball history and I am honored to stand on the floor today to honor its significance to our national pastime. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, Madam Speaker. Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. FOXX. The rising cost of gas and energy prices throughout this country threatens many aspects of our lives, and the ability to attend baseball games this summer is one of those. The notion that Washington is broken is exemplified in the Democratic majority's refusal to address soaring energy prices. Two years ago, then-Minority Leader Pelosi promised the American people a ``commonsense plan'' to lower gasoline prices, but Democrats have not only failed to offer any meaningful solutions, they've put forward policies that will have precisely the opposite effect. As a result of their inaction, oil, gasoline, and electricity prices are as high as they have ever been. Once a nightmare scenario, $4 plus gasoline has become a harsh reality on Speaker Pelosi's watch, and now Americans are paying nearly $1.50 more per gallon at the pump than when the Speaker took office. This Pelosi Premium is hitting working families hard, at a time when they are confronting high costs of living, a slowing economy, and a housing crunch. This has to change. Republicans are committed to a comprehensive energy reform policy that will boost supplies of all forms of energy right here at home to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy, protect us against blackmail by foreign dictators, create American jobs, and grow our economy, all those things as basic to us as our of love of baseball. This includes increasing the supply of American-made energy, improving energy efficiency, and encouraging investment in groundbreaking research in advanced alternative and renewable energy technologies. With 21st century technologies and the strictest environmental standards in the world, America must produce more of our own energy right here at home and protect our environment at the same time. That is the change America deserves. To help ease the pain of the Pelosi Premium, House Republican leaders have also embraced short-term legislation that would suspend the 18.4 cents per gallon Federal gas tax this summer and establish a corresponding freeze on all taxpayer-funded earmarks to ensure the Highway Trust Fund will not be impacted. Savings from the earmarks freeze also would be applied towards reducing the Federal deficit. A House Republican majority will work to deliver the change America deserves on gas prices with meaningful solutions that make our Nation more energy independent. Here's how we will do it. We will increase the production of American-made energy in an environmentally safe way. This includes the exploration of next generation oil, natural gas and coal, and the production of advanced alternative fuels like cellulosic and clean coal-to-liquids, all while protecting our natural resources for future generations. We will promote new, clean, and reliable power generation like advanced nuclear and next generation coal, while promoting clean power from renewable energy such as wind and hydroelectric power. Nuclear energy has proven itself as a safe, carbon-free, and environmentally friendly alternative, with France relying on it for 80 percent of its electricity needs, compared to just 19 percent in America. We will cut red tape and increase the supply of American-made fuel and energy. Limiting the construction of new oil refineries and bureaucratic regulations mandating the use of exotic fuels have decreased supply and increased the Pelosi Premium. We will encourage greater energy efficiency by offering conservation tax incentives to America who make their home, car, and business more energy efficient. We can do much to make it more feasible for families to attend baseball games this summer and participate in other normal summer activities by reducing our dependence on foreign oil and creating more American-generated energy, and I call on my colleagues to bring up the bills that will allow us to do that. I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. SARBANES. The discussion of energy and oil, on the one hand, and baseball on the other, got me thinking about something I read last week, which is a lot of the folks coming into baseball games around the country and sporting events are using public transportation wherever they get the chance, as opposed to driving their cars, and I am so glad that the Democratic Congress has put such an investment into proving our public transportation infrastructure in this country. Obviously, we have got to do more of that going forward so that we can conserve. That can help drive down some of the gas prices that have been alluded to. In any event, to get back to the main topic here with respect to recognizing the tremendous role of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in the establishment of the culture of our national pastime, I want to urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1050. I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1050, as amended. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. [[Page 13371]] ____________________