Hammersmith United Baseball Club, normally known as Hammersmith United or simply Hammersmith, is a professional baseball club located in Alnwick, Novainsula. The club was one of the first members of the Novainsula Baseball Federation in 1914 and a founding member of the Elite 14 in 1917. The club is affectionately known as the ‘Bell Boys‘.
History
Hammersmith United was established in 1910 through the amalgamation of two local clubs, Hammersmith Cattle Community and Friends of Hammersmith Exercise Club. These clubs, founded in the early 1900s, aimed to foster physical activity and communal bonding in the Hammersmith region, which was still heavily agricultural at the time. Recognizing their similar objectives, the two entities decided to merge, creating a unified front in sports and community engagement. The team’s first recognized baseball game took place on August 23rd, 1912. The Bell Boys faced off against Plystoke United, a local adversary, securing a victory with a final score of 15-12.
The landscape of baseball in the region transformed with the establishment of the Novainsula Baseball Federation in 1914. Jonathan Harrowood, a key figure in the federation’s founding, sought to include top-tier teams in the new federation. Hammersmith United, known for its early successes and community roots, was among the first clubs invited to join. Despite initial reservations about the federation’s prospects and structure, the promise of potential profits and broader recognition convinced the club to become a part of the Novainsula Baseball Federation.
Stadium
The Tranquil is the official stadium of Hammersmith United, a batter friendly stadium with a 44-foot high wall in left field. Before its transformation into a sports venue, the site was a disused piece of land that held little significance in the local area. Recognizing the potential of this neglected space, Hammersmith United decided to repurpose it into a stadium, a decision that would not only provide the team with a home ground but also revitalize the surrounding region.
Construction of The Tranquil began in 1915, a year after Hammersmith United joined the Novainsula Baseball Federation. Upon its completion in 1917, The Tranquil quickly gained recognition for its unique blend of functionality and aesthetic appeal.