The Prince and Baseball

On September 13, 1919, Edward, Prince of Wales (middle with walking stick) attended an amateur baseball game at Diamond Park in Edmonton, Alberta, between the Edmonton Veterans and the Calgary Hustlers. The prince arrived fashionably late (the top of the second inning) and thus the game was held up, allowing us a good look at the equipment worn by the catcher and the umpire. Note also that all the players and officials have removed their caps (in an era in which almost everyone wore a head covering) in deference to the Crown. After throwing a ceremonial pitch, the prince retired to the royal box. Shortly thereafter he endeared himself to the fans by sitting on the grass with some of the overflowing crowd.¹

A few years later a new ballpark was constructed in Edmonton adjacent to Diamond Park and named Renfrew Park after a title conferred on Prince Edward. It was hoped by city officials that a future visit by the king and the Duke of Windsor would officially acknowledge the naming of the park. The king's abdication in 1936 brought on by his intention to marry an American divorcée, Mrs. Wallis Simpson, precluded such a visit.