For many years, the tradition of playing baseball on Sundays, a staple of American culture today, faced significant legal and social hurdles. Across various cities and states, so-called "blue laws" prohibited or severely restricted Sunday activities, including professional sports. The journey to widespread Sunday baseball was a protracted battle, marked by legislative efforts, public debate, and even arrests, as teams and proponents argued for the financial
necessity and social benefits of allowing games on the Sabbath.
Early Legalizations and Persistent Opposition
The early 20th century saw the first cracks in the Sunday baseball ban. In 1902, major cities like Chicago, St. Louis, and Cincinnati legalized Sunday baseball games, setting a precedent for other areas. However, progress was far from uniform. Just five years later, in 1907, New York City Democrats attempted to legalize Sunday baseball in Albany, New York, introducing two bills. State Assemblyman Al Smith, a vocal advocate, argued that allowing young men to play baseball was preferable to them being drawn to less wholesome activities. Despite these arguments, both bills ultimately failed, highlighting the strong opposition that still existed.
The financial motivations for playing on Sundays were often a key driver for teams. In 1911, Philadelphia Athletics manager Connie Mack openly expressed his desire for his team to play Sunday games, primarily to generate revenue. The Athletics were not a wealthy club, and vice-president John Shibe estimated that each Sunday game in Philadelphia could bring in an additional $20,000. Mack emphasized the financial necessity, stating that the team struggled to meet payrolls playing only on weekdays at home. This financial argument, however, clashed with the deeply held beliefs of many Pennsylvania politicians and religious groups. They opposed Sunday baseball, claiming it constituted a "breach of peace" and would disturb the quiet and religious worship desired on Sundays. The Athletics' case was further weakened by the fact that Philadelphia's other baseball team, the Phillies, did not publicly support the initiative.
Arrests, Rulings, and Continued Resistance
Even when games were played, legal repercussions could follow. In 1917, the New York Giants and Cincinnati Reds played the first Sunday game ever at the Polo Grounds, New York's home field. This was not a regular season game but a benefit held during World War I to aid dependents of a military regiment. Despite the patriotic cause, both managers, John McGraw and Christy Mathewson, were arrested for violating blue laws after the game. They were later found not guilty by Judge Francis Xavier McQuade, who commended their patriotic motives, but the incident underscored the legal risks involved.
Gradually, more cities began to legalize Sunday baseball. In 1918, Cleveland, Washington, D.C., and Detroit followed suit. The following year, New York finally legalized Sunday baseball games, allowing its home teams—the New York Giants, New York Yankees, and Brooklyn Dodgers—to host games on that day. This marked a significant shift in one of the nation's largest and most influential cities.
The Philadelphia Athletics' Persistent Battle
The Philadelphia Athletics continued their fight for Sunday baseball well into the 1920s. In 1926, they were chosen to host the Sesquicentennial Exposition, celebrating the 150th Anniversary of American Independence. With the Exposition facing a deficit, its board of directors voted to open on Sundays and charge admission. Seizing this opportunity, the Athletics announced they would play a game against the Chicago White Sox on August 22, 1926. Athletics officials argued that there was no difference between charging admission for Exposition amusements on Sunday and charging for a baseball game.
Philadelphia Mayor W. Freeland Kendrick strongly objected, threatening to use police to keep Shibe Park closed. The Athletics took the matter to court, and Judge Frank Smith granted their request, ruling on August 21, 1926, that those seeking to prohibit Sunday baseball could only do so if their right to quiet and undisturbed religious worship was encroached upon. Smith's ruling also stated that to prove a "breach of peace," the game first had to be played, meaning legal action could only occur the following Monday. Approximately 12,000 spectators attended the game, where the Athletics defeated the White Sox 3–2. Rev. William B. Forney, driving around the park, expressed shame and called the crowd's cheers a "disgusting noise." Connie Mack, however, was pleased, noting that nothing happened that could be construed as a breach of peace and wishing opponents could see that church attendance was not affected.
Despite the game proceeding, Mayor Kendrick maintained that any Sunday game was a breach of peace and law, announcing the city would seek a higher court to overturn Judge Smith's ruling. Mack, citing scheduling difficulties, stated no more Sunday games would be played in 1926, and owner John Shibe echoed this, saying they wouldn't go out of their way for Sunday games until the next season. The City of Philadelphia pursued the case in Dauphin County Court, which ruled Sunday baseball was unlawful "worldly employment." The Athletics appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which, in September 1927, by a 7-2 vote, declared Sunday baseball both "unholy" and "worldly employment." The court even threatened to revoke the Athletics' club corporation franchise if they continued to play on Sundays. Although the Athletics' attorney announced they would drop their appeal, he also stated they did not plan on giving up the fight.
Final Victories and the Modern Era
The struggle continued into the 1930s. In 1931, a bill to liberalize the Blue Sunday Laws was introduced in the Pennsylvania State Legislature. It passed the House 106-98 but was soundly defeated by the State Senate. This led the Athletics' attorney, Gartling, to announce plans to build a 50,000-seat stadium in Camden, New Jersey, and move the team if Sunday restrictions weren't lifted. A public outcry followed, prompting owner Shibe to quickly dismiss the plan as merely visionary.
Finally, in 1933, the Pennsylvania House and Senate passed a bill allowing local jurisdictions to vote on legalizing Sunday sports. Philadelphia easily voted to allow Sunday sports. However, by this time, the Athletics had already sold many star players, including Al Simmons, Mickey Cochrane, and Lefty Grove, to manage team finances. The team eventually moved to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1954. The bill also didn't immediately resolve the financial struggles of the Philadelphia Phillies until owner R. R. M. Carpenter, Jr. acquired the team. Once the last of these blue laws were removed, most teams began scheduling Sunday games regularly. In the 1950s and 1960s, doubleheaders were common on Sundays to maximize attendance. While regularly scheduled doubleheaders are now rare, Major League Baseball continues to schedule a full slate of games every Sunday during the season, including nationally televised night games on ESPN, and minor leagues also play regularly on Sundays.
