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In 1933, John Moores, who founded the Liverpool Pools, created the National Baseball Association. The endeavour was enough of a success that in 1936, he helped form three professional leagues in England. One was located in Yorkshire, another in Lancashire and a third in London.
In the first season, the London circuit, which was called the London Major Baseball League, comprised of seven teams: Romford Wasps, Harringay, Hackney Royals, Streatham and Mitcham Giants (which folded early in the first season), White City, West Ham, and Catford Saints (the only amateur team in the league, comprised of Mormon missionaries).
Most of the teams played in greyhound stadiums and attendance was good. Romford's opened its season on May 2 against the Streatham and Mitcham Giants. According to The (Romford) Recorder, 3,000 spectators flocked to the game. Among the dignitaries on hand were boxer Jack Doyle and his wife, actress Judith Allen, as well as Mr. Chas H. Allen, chairman of Romford Council. The Wasps were victorious that day 25-7, but, ultimately, the team never seriously contended for the title.
In 1937, the composition of the league changed tremendously. The Hackney Royals decided to revert to amateur status and it's unclear if Harringay remained in the league. In addition to the Wasps, there was expansion for Romford. The Corinthians joined the circuit and also played at the Romford Stadium. Another team, the Pirates, also began play that season at West Ham Stadium (not the football stadium, but the greyhound stadium that no longer exists).
While the Corinthians struggled, the Wasps had a tremendous season that year. The senior Romford side, which was led by player Merrick Cranstoun, won the 1937 London Major League Baseball title beating out West Ham, the Wasps' closest rivals, during the final week of the season. In addition, Wasps made it to the finals of the National Baseball Association's top national cup competition. They took on the Hull Baseball Club of the Yorkshire League in a contest to decide the all-England champion. Some 11,000 came out to Craven Park in Hull to witness the battle. Alas for Romford fans, the Wasps fell 5-1.
The following year, the London Major Baseball League disbanded, but the Wasps and the Corinthians played on in the amateur ranks. The two teams competed in London's Senior Amateur League with the De Havilland Comets, the Fords, Briggs Brigands and the Old Josephians. The Corinthians spent most of the season battling just to stay afloat as the team had difficulty putting together a competitive squad on a number of occasions. But the Wasps continued to shine. When the regular fixtures were completed, the Wasps found themselves in a deadlock for first place with the De Havilland Comets. A one game playoff was set up in Uxbridge to decide the champion. The Wasps prevailed 7-4 and cemented their place as one of London's best sides of the time.
Josh Chetwynd
Major League Baseball
Baseball Softball
UK
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