Fun with Maps ISSUE 2025-132

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (August 19, 2025) – In today’s edition of Fun with Maps, we look at what some say is the real roots of baseball.      

BAT-BALL

On August 19, 1900, the one and only cricket match of the Olympic games was played in Paris.  Four teams entered to play – Great Britain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.  However, only two teams actually played – Great Britain and France – with Great Britain winning the two-day match.

Cricket had been on the docket for both the 1896 and 1904 Olympics, but was cancelled both times due to a lack of interest in sending teams for the sport.

Cricket is scheduled to return to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.  There will be 12 nations competing in both men and women’s games, with 15 players per team for a total of 180 athletes entered in the sport.  The matches are set to be played at the Fairplex in Pomona and are scheduled for July 12 – 29.

To me the most unique parts of the sport are for many to wear zinc oxide cream as sunscreen on lips – making them white; and the white coats officials wear – looking like they are about to serve ice cream.

Cricket is believed to originate from south-east England from medieval times as a children’s game.  Hence here is a map of Surrey, adjacent to London, from 1797 by Cary.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.