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I say with a sigh,

With the snow piled so high,

It's time to write about anything I know,

Other than the snow and the cold.

If I may be so bold.

So let's talk about baseball? I'm happy to report that this past Wednesday, the Baltimore Orioles pitchers and catchers reported to spring training in Sarasota, Fla.

Carroll County has always had a love affair with baseball. Some of my best memories of growing up in Carroll came from listening to Orioles baseball on WTTR or getting together with friends and family to attend Little League or Babe Ruth games. Baseball has been a favorite topic for many local history writers. And why not? Writing about baseball is fun.

A number of years ago, local historian Dan Hartzler published a book, "Carroll County, Maryland Baseball," on the history of the game in our fare county.

Another historian, Richard Hershberger, has written an article for the Historical Society of Carroll County in which he observes:

"Baseball came to Westminster the year after the end of the Civil War. Bat-and-ball games had been played since time immemorial, but modern baseball is descended from the game as played in New York City in the 1840s.

"In the late 1850s, it began to spread beyond the New York region. By 1860 it was played in most major cities, including Baltimore and Washington, and in the years immediately following the Civil War spread to smaller cities and towns.

"Westminster was right on schedule."

In 1993, another local historian, Joe Getty, also wrote about the early days of baseball in Carroll County for the Historical Society.

"Following the Civil War, the sport of baseball became increasingly popular in Carroll County," he wrote.

"Short entries in the 'Local Items' column of community newspapers reported on the clubs and their games. An early reference ... appeared in the American Sentinel of April 4, 1867: 'The Base Ball Season - With the advent of Spring and dry ground, the Base Ball Clubs seem to be re-organizing ...' " Getty wrote.

Hershberger records that one of the earliest references to baseball in Carroll was the "Olympian Base Ball Club," which was founded on April 14, 1866.

"The typical early baseball club was composed of young professionals and merchants with sedentary occupations and some free time. Baseball was a way to take exercise in a social setting," Hershberger wrote.

Social indeed, and therapeutic as well. For those with a bad case of chionophobia — fear of snow — never fear, spring is near.

Just keep in mind that history is on your side.

As you gaze out your window and see the wind blowing; please know that hope is near, baseball's spring training is here, and soon it will be raining instead of snowing.

When he is not delusional with cabin fever, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff@gmail.com or visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net.

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