Philadelphia Pythians

The Pythians were composed of primarily business and middle class professionals from the surrounding areas of Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City.

Just two years after the Civil War ended, in 1867, the Pennsylvania State Convention of Baseball, located in Harrisburg, denied the "Pythian Base Ball Club" out of Philadelphia.

[7] Octavius V. Catto and Jacob C. White, two graduates from the Institute for Colored Youth, believed baseball was another way in which African Americans could assert their skills and independence, and prove their right to full citizenship and equality.

Still was a local coal dealer and civil rights activist; this played into the Pythians' idea of using the baseball to achieve equality.

Their first game was played at Diamond Cottage Park in Camden, New Jersey, because the team could not gain access to the Parade Grounds at 11th and Wharton in Philadelphia.

The team played their home games at Fairmount Park, but they used Liberty Hall of the Institute for Colored Youth as their club house.

[14] In September 1869, the Pythians played against the all white Olympics; likely the first recorded instance of an interracial baseball game.

A few days later the Pythians played and beat the all-white Philadelphia City Items; a historic victory that Catto hoped would prove the capability of African Americans.

[7] These game were successful in drawing large crowds and praise from news outlets for the Pythians' respectable play.

First Nine: Jefferson Cavens (First Basemen), John Cannon (Pitcher), Frank J.R. Jones (Third Basemen), John Graham (Outfielder/Catcher), James Sparrow (Shortstop), Spencer Hanly (Outfielder/Catcher), Joshua Adkins (Third Basemen), Octavius V. Catto (Second Baseman/Shortstop/Captain)[15][1] Second Nine: Raymond J. Burr, Andrew J. Jones, Frederick Walker, Richard E.F., David Knight, Edwin C. Vidal, Charles M. Thomas, James Ash, Henry Price, James Jenkins Third Nine John H. Davis, Joseph J. Minton, William T. Jones, Jacob C. White, Jr., Harry Francis, Edward M. Bassett, William H. Minton, Henry Boyer, Thomas Jones, Jacob R. Ballard, Thaddeus Manning[16] 1868 Schedule Note: The team names are as they appear on the handwritten schedule.