Neal Ball
Encyclopedia
Cornelius "Neal" Ball the American
baseball
player, achieved fame on July 19, when he pulled off the first unassisted triple play
in Major League baseball
history in a game against the Boston Red Sox
. "During the same game, he set another major league record for shortstops. His glove from that game is on exhibit at the Baseball Hall of Fame."
Ball was born on April 22, 1881 in Grand Haven, Michigan
and died on October 15, 1957 in Bridgeport, Connecticut
. He was interred at Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport
.
Ball got his start in organized baseball on the semi-pro team in Three Rivers, Michigan
, where he, during the 1902 season, played in a game against Hall of Fame Negro League star Rube Foster (who was playing for the Otsego Independents
at the time).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player, achieved fame on July 19, when he pulled off the first unassisted triple play
Unassisted triple play
In baseball, an unassisted triple play occurs when a defensive player makes all three putouts by himself in one continuous play, without any teammates touching the ball . In Major League Baseball , it is one of the rarest of individual feats, along with hitting four home runs in one game and the...
in Major League baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
history in a game against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. "During the same game, he set another major league record for shortstops. His glove from that game is on exhibit at the Baseball Hall of Fame."
Ball was born on April 22, 1881 in Grand Haven, Michigan
Grand Haven, Michigan
Grand Haven is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is the county seat of Ottawa County. Grand Haven is located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Grand River, for which it is named. As of the 2010 census, Grand Haven had a population of 10,412. It is part of the...
and died on October 15, 1957 in Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in Fairfield County, the city had an estimated population of 144,229 at the 2010 United States Census and is the core of the Greater Bridgeport area...
. He was interred at Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport
Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport
Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport, Connecticut, was laid out in 1849 in a park-like, rural setting away from the center of the city.The cemetery was designed by P. T. Barnum, who himself is buried there.-Notable interments:...
.
Ball got his start in organized baseball on the semi-pro team in Three Rivers, Michigan
Three Rivers, Michigan
Three Rivers is a city in St. Joseph County in the US state of Michigan. The population was 7,811 at the 2010 census.Three Rivers derives its name from the confluence of the St. Joseph River with its tributaries the Rocky and Portage Rivers. It is the home of St...
, where he, during the 1902 season, played in a game against Hall of Fame Negro League star Rube Foster (who was playing for the Otsego Independents
Otsego Independents
The Otsego Independents was a white minor league baseball team in Otsego, Michigan in the early 1900s. It was owned by paper industry magnate George E...
at the time).
Team affiliation
- In 1902, Ball played for the Three RiversThree Rivers, MichiganThree Rivers is a city in St. Joseph County in the US state of Michigan. The population was 7,811 at the 2010 census.Three Rivers derives its name from the confluence of the St. Joseph River with its tributaries the Rocky and Portage Rivers. It is the home of St...
semi-pro team - In 1907, Ball was signed by the New York Highlanders (Yankees), for whom he played two seasons.
- Partway into 1909, he was traded to the Cleveland Naps (Indians).
- During the 1912 season, he joined the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, for whom his final game was played 30 June 1913. - From 1913 to 1923, he was affiliated with 6 minor league baseballMinor league baseballMinor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
teams as a player and manager