Charles William Eliot on the curve ball

[Joel S. Berson]

On 19 Sep 2012 Garson reported that he had not found anything
specifically about the curve ball in Eliot's 1892-1893 full
report.  Neither have I, but I would like to report my effort.

I asked the Harvard University Archives/archivists:
"It has been asserted that President Charles Eliot, in his report of
1892-1893, condemned the curve ball in baseball as deceptive. Do you
know whether that is correct, and if so where he can be found saying it?"

They responded:
"President Eliot's report of 1892-93 is available online at
http://pds.lib.harvard.edu/pds/view/2574409?n=2731&s=4&printThumbnails=no
.  His discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of collegiate
athletics is found on pages 12-22."

That is, they did not report any other possible source than the
report.  And the response does not indicate whether they looked anywhere else.

Page 14 refers to "'tricks', surprises, and habitual violations of
the rules of the game", but that follows mention not of base-ball but
foot-ball.  I saw nothing on "curve balls".  Nor does Eliot name any
specific "tricks".

Joel

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