World Series, 1912

Or, as described at the time, "World's Series." Great pictures, which, like all Shorpy images, enlarge to wallpaper size for exploration.

October 1912. Washington, D.C. "Baseball, Professional. Electric scoreboard." A close-up of the "baseball game reproducer" from the previous post showing results of the 1912 World Series between New York and Boston to crowds on a Washington street. Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative

In the top photo, note the elaborate "electro-mechanical" scoreboard, displayed on a street in Washington, D.C. (and reportedly in other cities around the country). "Baseball, Professional. Crowds at scoreboard."

Watching the 1912 World Series courtesy of the Washington Post on an electro-mechanical scoreboard that looks something like a big pinball game. In the years before the first radio broadcasts in the early 1920s, newspapers, linked to reporters by telephone, wire service or "wireless telegraph," provided live coverage of sporting events like prizefights and baseball games to crowds on the street, with announcers and scoreboards giving play-by-play results. Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative.

In the bottom photo what fascinates me are the hats.