118:
305:
played in
Philadelphia. Mack thought that, for the team, it was financially necessary to play on Sundays, explaining that "we cannot meet our payrolls playing on seventy-seven weekdays at home". Many Pennsylvania politicians and religious groups opposed Shibe and Mack's effort for Sunday baseball, claiming that playing on that day was a "breach of peace" and that the games would be "a disturbance to persons in that neighborhood desirous of preserving the peace and quiet of Sunday so that they may in such peace and quiet pursue their religious worship and meditation". Unfortunately for the Athletics, Philadelphia's other baseball team,
25:
408:
noise". Athletics manager Connie Mack was glad that baseball was played on Sunday, and was quoted as saying "I am glad that we won, of course, but I am more than glad that nothing happened that could be construed as a breach of the peace… I wish all those who oppose Sunday baseball could have been here today. They would see that we are not causing a lessening in church attendance."
416:
2, the Sunday
Baseball was both "unholy" and "worldly employment". The Pennsylvania Supreme Court also threatened the Athletics, saying that if the A's continued to play on Sunday, their club corporation franchise would be revoked. After this ruling, Athletics attorney announced that although the Athletics were going to drop their appeal, they did not plan on giving up.
247:
415:
The City of
Philadelphia took the case to Dauphin County Court, where the court decided the baseball being played on Sunday was unlawful "worldly employment". The Athletics then announced that they would take their case to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, who ruled in September 1927, by a vote of 7 to
304:
expressed a desire for the
Athletics to play on Sunday. The main driving force behind his interest in playing on Sunday was to earn money. The Athletics were not a wealthy baseball club, and Athletics vice-president John Shibe estimated that the team would make $ 20,000 for each Sunday game that they
427:
In 1933, the House and Senate of
Pennsylvania finally passed a bill that allowed local jurisdictions to vote on whether Sunday sports would be legalized in their area. When Philadelphia voted on the proposal, they easily won the right to play sports on Sunday. However, the A's had already sold many
407:
12,000 spectators attended the game, where the
Athletics defeated the White Sox 3–2. During the game, Rev. William B. Forney drove around the park multiple times, and said that he was "ashamed that such an exhibition could be held on the Sabbath", and called the cheers from the crowd a "disgusting
411:
Mayor
Kendrick said that although the crowd for Sunday's game was "unusually subdued", he thought that any Sunday game was a breach of peace and the law. He also announced that the city of Philadelphia would seek a higher court to overturn Judge Smith's ruling. Connie Mack quickly announced that
182:
when the rules were relaxed to allow them only if both teams agreed and that no player could be punished for refusing to play on Sunday. Further relaxations allowed for Sunday matches if
Northern Irish clubs had European matches during the week and to avoid matches clashing with major national
403:
closed. The
Athletics went to court to request that Kendrick's decision be overturned. Judge Frank Smith granted the A's request and ruled on Saturday, August 21, 1926 that those seeking to prohibit Sunday baseball could only do so if "their right to quiet and undisturbed religious worship is
419:
In 1931, a bill to liberalize the Blue Sunday Laws was introduced by supporters in the
Pennsylvania State Legislature. The bill was passed by the house 106-98, but was soundly defeated by the State Senate. This caused A's attorney Gartling to announce plans to build a 50,000 seat stadium in
464:
on Sunday to maximize attendance. Although rising attendance has led to the elimination of regularly scheduled doubleheaders (with rare exceptions), Major League Baseball still schedules a full slate of games for each Sunday during the season, including Sunday night games televised by
170:
which was granted. Due to the Sunday Observance Act, clubs were banned from charging admission but they exploited a loophole in the law and state that though admission would be free, a purchase of a programme to the equivalent price of a ticket would be required to enter. In
238:, the superintendent of police. Denny said that he would be out of town on that Sunday. As such, Rooney stopped at McQuaide's office and invited him to sit at the 50-yard line, an offer that McQuaide accepted, which resulted in the football game not being shut down.
412:
scheduling difficulties would prevent any more Sunday games in 1926. Even owner John Shibe told fans that "we are not going out of our way to play Sunday games... As there are no open Sundays left we shall probably leave things as they are until next season."
233:
game, Rooney "hurried down to city hall to get some answers", where the Director of Public Safety, Harmar Denny, informed him that only two people held the authority to stop the sporting event from happening, one being himself and the other being
404:
encroached upon as a result of the game". Smith's ruling also declared that to prove the game had created "a breach of peace", the game first had to be played, so the earliest legal action that could take place would be on the following Monday.
391:. The Exposition was running a deficit, so the board of directors voted to open on Sundays and charge an admission fee. A few days later, the Athletics announced that they would play a game on August 22, 1926 against the
221:
faced opposition as the city's blue laws prevented him from holding football games on Sundays. Realizing that a large amount of the city's residents who supported blue laws were planning to protest the upcoming
102:
765:
395:. Officials for the Athletics felt that there was no difference between charging people admission for Exposition amusements on Sunday, and charging a fee for a baseball game. Philadelphia mayor
903:
145:
restricted activities on Sunday by passing what they called "an Act for the prevention of vice and immorality, and of unlawful gaming, and to restrain disorderly sports and dissipation".
1049:
1008:
497:(such as visiting the sick), as well as rest from servile labour. They believe that viewing and participating in sporting events held on Sundays are in violation of the
460:
Once the last of the blue laws preventing Sunday baseball were gone, most teams scheduled Sunday games regularly. In the 1950s and 1960s, most teams frequently scheduled
35:
1039:
424:
and move the team if Sunday restrictions were not eliminated. A public outcry ensued, which caused owner Shibe to quickly say that the plan was only visionary.
287:
spoke out against the ban of Sunday baseball, arguing that it was better for young men to be playing baseball than to "be driven to places where they play
863:
829:
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134:
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117:
912:
644:
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schedule games on Sundays in the United States, though this practice continues to be opposed by some Christian denominations upholding
1059:
525:
65:
1064:
1012:
276:
203:
on 25 April 1933 "so that local jurisdictions could choose whether to allow baseball or football games to be played on Sunday."
967:
679:
141:
to limit activities that could be pursued on a Sunday, including such recreational pursuits as sports and games. In 1794, the
384:
125:, Scotland displaying a sign that reads "Please do not use this playing field on Sundays", reflecting a commitment to
47:
133:
Because of Christian religious orthodoxy, it was considered offensive to work on Sunday, which was expected to be a
176:
1044:
478:
159:
461:
449:
1054:
932:
380:
337:
295:
254:
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734:
445:
441:
388:
306:
142:
126:
106:
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313:
81:
were not usually played until the early 20th century. In North America, they were prohibited due to
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223:
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591:
498:
486:
368:
364:
356:
280:
172:
766:"Fans voted in favour of Sunday football with their feet, now IFA must bring rules in line"
493:
should be dedicated to worship (through attendance at church services and family prayer),
433:
325:
317:
227:
196:
858:
825:
494:
328:, to assist dependents of a military regiment. However, after the game both managers,
167:
158:
In England, association football was historically banned on Sunday. However, in 1974,
1033:
490:
669:
359:
legalized baseball games on Sunday, and baseball teams that played in New York (the
959:
535:
399:
objected to the Athletics' decision and announced that he would use police to keep
321:
98:
564:
Baseball Meets the Law: A Chronology of Decisions, Statutes and Other Legal Events
639:
637:
530:
437:
329:
301:
250:
192:
163:
851:"Baseball Men Exonerated. Magistrate McQuade Commends Managers for Sunday Game"
635:
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631:
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269:
218:
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94:
348:
341:
265:
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to allow Sunday football to counter the ban on using floodlights due to the
516:
because many participating leagues hold sporting events on the Lord's Day.
309:, took no public position on the subject, undermining the Athletics' case.
246:
284:
230:
200:
138:
101:
had intense political and court battles to legalize the games. Nowadays,
82:
505:". As such, many Christian sports leagues do not hold games on Sundays.
352:
261:
97:
later decided to legalize them. Other cities such as New York City and
86:
448:, who were struggling financially, until the team was bought by owner
122:
16:
Cultural practice of holding or avoiding sporting events on Sunday
647:. Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society. 2007. Archived from
466:
324:, New York's home field. It was a benefit game, held during the
283:
that attempted to legalize Sunday baseball. State Assemblyman
18:
34:
deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a
452:, who was able to fix the Phillies' financial situation.
440:) to pay for team finances, and in 1954 the A's moved to
1009:"Sports on Sundays: The Consequences of Skipping Church"
694:"1974 and Football League clubs try playing on a Sunday"
43:
905:
The Sabbath: A Universal and Enduring Ordinance of God
815:
813:
811:
512:
as a whole, believing that the industry is guilty of
347:
The following year, Sunday baseball was legalized in
994:
Reasons Why Organized Sports Are Not Pleasing to God
557:
555:
336:, were arrested for violating the blue laws. Judge
935:. Christ United Reformed Church. 8 December 2010.
469:. Minor leagues play regularly on Sunday as well.
180:retained a total ban on Sunday football until 2008
911:. Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Archived from
724:"Irish Football Association Football Regulations"
260:In 1902, Sunday baseball games were legalized in
344:and commended them for their patriotic motives.
137:from servile labor. Many governments instituted
645:"The Fight for Sunday Baseball in Philadelphia"
562:Edmonds, Ed; Houdek, Frank G. (4 March 2017).
987:
985:
897:
895:
371:) were allowed to have home games on Sunday.
8:
785:
783:
781:
779:
927:
925:
585:
583:
1050:Baseball competitions in the United States
960:"The Perpetuity and Change of the Sabbath"
291:." However, both bills were unsuccessful.
503:Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy
320:played the first Sunday game ever at the
66:Learn how and when to remove this message
996:. Immanuel Missionary Church. p. 4.
245:
191:Lobbying efforts by baseball team owner
116:
551:
508:Certain Christian denominations oppose
375:The Athletics fight for Sunday baseball
1040:History of sports in the United States
887:"Larry Stone, Doubleheaders Are Passe"
387:to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of
32:The examples and perspective in this
481:(Sunday Sabbatarianism), such as the
7:
792:Johnny Unitas: America's Quarterback
682:from the original on 14 March 2024.
596:Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals
541:Sunday football in Northern Ireland
752:"Newry-DC to wait for Sunday game"
477:Churches teaching the doctrine of
50:, or create a new, as appropriate.
14:
933:"Why an Evening Worship Service?"
489:, traditionally believe that the
428:of their star players (including
195:influenced Pennsylvania governor
444:. The bill also didn't help the
23:
970:from the original on 2023-05-27
939:from the original on 2024-07-15
869:from the original on 2022-10-06
832:from the original on 2018-06-14
704:from the original on 2024-03-19
602:from the original on 2023-09-22
85:at first, but then cities like
1011:. Turley Talks. Archived from
592:"Organized Sports on Sundays?"
1:
889:, Baseball Digest, Nov. 2000
820:Pearson, Erica (2003-05-26).
289:Waltz Me Around Again, Willie
733:. p. 8. Archived from
473:Opposition to Sunday sports
385:Sesquicentennial Exposition
103:professional sports leagues
46:, discuss the issue on the
1081:
590:Jones, M. (12 June 2015).
383:were selected to host the
177:Irish Football Association
1060:American football culture
902:Hughes, James R. (2006).
566:. McFarland. p. 81.
992:Handel, Paul S. (2020).
479:first-day Sabbatarianism
351:, Washington, D.C., and
279:introduced two bills in
160:The Football Association
1065:Sabbath in Christianity
450:R. R. M. Carpenter, Jr.
355:. One year after that,
275:In 1907, New York City
135:day of worship and rest
121:A recreation ground in
770:Belfasttelegraph.co.uk
381:Philadelphia Athletics
338:Francis Xavier McQuade
296:Philadelphia Athletics
257:
255:Philadelphia Athletics
199:to modify the state's
130:
79:Sunday sporting events
483:Presbyterian Churches
446:Philadelphia Phillies
442:Kansas City, Missouri
389:American Independence
249:
143:Pennsylvania Assembly
127:first-day Sabbatarian
120:
107:first-day Sabbatarian
1015:on 30 September 2022
790:Sahadi, Lou (2004).
456:Present-day practice
397:W. Freeland Kendrick
154:Association football
958:Edwards, Jonathan.
862:. August 22, 1917.
754:. 30 November 2007.
678:. 1 February 2014.
514:Sabbath desecration
510:professional sports
129:Christian doctrine.
698:Footballsite.co.uk
487:Methodist Churches
422:Camden, New Jersey
258:
224:Pittsburgh Pirates
131:
822:"NYC'S BLUE LAWS"
801:978-1-62368-145-6
794:. Triumph Books.
573:978-1-4766-2906-3
393:Chicago White Sox
334:Christy Mathewson
253:, manager of the
236:Franklin McQuaide
187:American Football
76:
75:
68:
1072:
1045:Baseball culture
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670:"Holy commotion"
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609:
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499:Ten Commandments
369:Brooklyn Dodgers
365:New York Yankees
281:Albany, New York
173:Northern Ireland
162:appealed to the
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64:
60:
57:
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27:
26:
19:
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1007:Turley, Steve.
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772:. 26 June 2023.
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434:Mickey Cochrane
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361:New York Giants
326:First World War
318:Cincinnati Reds
314:New York Giants
244:
228:New York Giants
197:Gifford Pinchot
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999:
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918:on 2020-10-09.
891:
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859:New York Times
842:
826:Gotham Gazette
807:
800:
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743:
740:on 2021-07-28.
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613:
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572:
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495:works of mercy
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168:three day week
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38:of the subject
36:worldwide view
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2:
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379:In 1926, the
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312:In 1917, the
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44:improve this
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21:
20:
1017:. Retrieved
1013:the original
1002:
993:
972:. Retrieved
963:
953:
941:. Retrieved
913:the original
904:
882:
871:. Retrieved
857:
845:
834:. Retrieved
791:
769:
760:
746:
735:the original
730:
718:
706:. Retrieved
697:
688:
673:
664:
653:. Retrieved
649:the original
604:. Retrieved
563:
536:Eric Liddell
507:
476:
459:
426:
418:
414:
410:
406:
378:
346:
322:Polo Grounds
311:
307:the Phillies
293:
288:
274:
259:
205:
190:
157:
132:
99:Philadelphia
78:
77:
62:
53:
33:
1019:24 February
531:Donn Moomaw
501:dictum to "
438:Lefty Grove
340:found them
330:John McGraw
302:Connie Mack
251:Connie Mack
193:Connie Mack
164:Home Office
1034:Categories
873:2015-09-02
836:2008-09-23
655:2008-09-23
547:References
491:Lord's Day
430:Al Simmons
401:Shibe Park
367:, and the
342:not guilty
270:Cincinnati
219:Art Rooney
208:Pittsburgh
109:doctrine.
95:Cincinnati
56:March 2024
943:6 October
708:13 August
606:6 October
349:Cleveland
294:In 1911,
277:Democrats
266:St. Louis
139:blue laws
91:St. Louis
83:blue laws
48:talk page
968:Archived
937:Archived
864:Archived
830:Archived
702:Archived
680:Archived
600:Archived
520:See also
357:New York
285:Al Smith
242:Baseball
231:baseball
215:football
212:Steelers
201:blue law
183:events.
149:By sport
42:You may
974:24 June
353:Detroit
299:manager
262:Chicago
113:Origins
87:Chicago
798:
570:
436:, and
363:, the
268:, and
175:, the
123:Raasay
93:, and
916:(PDF)
909:(PDF)
867:(PDF)
854:(PDF)
738:(PDF)
727:(PDF)
1021:2021
976:2017
945:2020
796:ISBN
710:2024
608:2020
568:ISBN
485:and
467:ESPN
332:and
316:and
226:vs.
675:WSC
206:In
1036::
984:^
966:.
962:.
924:^
894:^
856:.
828:.
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810:^
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768:.
729:.
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696:.
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616:^
598:.
594:.
582:^
554:^
432:,
272:.
264:,
210:,
89:,
1023:.
978:.
947:.
876:.
839:.
804:.
712:.
658:.
610:.
576:.
69:)
63:(
58:)
54:(
40:.
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