Introduction

The Arizona Territory is known for saloons, gunfights, outlaws and strong women. But the history of baseball in Arizona is long forgotten. The national pastime came first to the territory's many military posts and soon gained a foothold in early towns such as Tucson, Prescott, Tombstone and Phoenix. Gaining popularity in the 1880s, the game spread through the territory with the help of railroads. Soon company nines were competing against town clubs. In the early 1900s, the major leagues made several tours through Arizona. This book takes a first-ever look into Arizona's rich baseball history, with never before seen photographs of the earliest baseball clubs and games.