Edmund Davis to James Hugh Moffatt

Mar. 19 - 1901

James Hugh Moffat Esq.

My Dear Sir -

Yours of the 16th rec'd, and I herewith enclose two groups, the small one of the Princeton nine for year ending July '66, the large one, that, for year ending July '67, excepting one man, his place being filled by Kyle of Jenn. This letter is the nine that played and beat Bordentown, (I think in the Fall of '66, no other photo., so far as I know, was taken of the University nine for that year. I have no other pictures. I do not remember the names of the Captains for Spring of '69 or '70. Try McGummers ofTrenton he may possibly have some photographs and likely can give you information -- also Hughes Oliphant of same place.

I never heard of Cummings, do not know about him now, I suppose because when I graduated I dropped baseball altogether.

I had never seen or heard of a curve ball when I pitched in the Fall of '66, and do not think any one else had -- I will try and explain how

I came to pitch a curve - I prepared for college at Edge Hill school, Princeton - where before leaving I was Captain and pitcher of the nine, and was very desirious of getting on as good a nine when I entered college as possible, and as there were six nines, I had hopes of at least reaching the 3' if not the 2' one, so during vacation at home I practiced pitching against a brick wall in order to get control over the ball and put it just where I wanted it, while doing so I noticed that the ball on striking the wall bounded from it according to the twist or rotation of the ball, I then practiced to give it a perpendicular twist so that when it would be hit it would go up in the air and be easily caught out, but I did not think then of curving the path of the ball, after entering college I discovered that my ball took a curve inward after leaving my hand on its way to the batter, although I did not stop to figure out why, but the reason undoubtedly was, that the twist of the ball was not altogether perpendicular but a little to the right or toward the batter -- I think you will find a number of ball player of that day who will remember the fact that when the ball was hit it went almost straight upward, showing the twist on it.

I trust I am not giving you too much on the subject, because I am only being particular seeing that you have requested it and I wish simply to aid you if I can, as the subject of baseball has scarcely entered my mind since 1870.

I remember a friend in my class named Mr Spencer now in Erie, Cashier of a bank, who played on our class nine, who was left handed, played in the field, and when he threw the ball into me at pitchers place always curved the ball, without his being conscious of it -- write him about baseball matters, he may give you some information -- any information further I shall be pleased to give if you will only ask questions.

Very Truly Yours --

Edmund Davis.