Donate Today EN | FR
Hall of Famers

Hall of Famer

WILLIAM SHUTTLEWORTH

Inducted in 2015

Member Details

Date of Birth: 1834
Date of Passing: 1903
Sport: Baseball
Member Category: Builder

Career Highlights

1854

Organized the first formal Canadian baseball team which was the Young Canadians of Hamilton 

Hall of Famer WILLIAM SHUTTLEWORTH
Sport

Story

William Shuttleworth’s passion was always baseball.  William organized the first formal Canadian baseball team which was the Young Canadians of Hamilton in 1854. Throughout the 1850’s William was a strong proponent of the two-inning, 11 player Canadian game which included an additional fourth baseman and a back-up behind the catcher.  The rules also called for all players having to be retired before the other team went to bat.  From 1854 into the 1870’s William was the driving force behind the sport in Canada.  He was Vice President of the first Canadian baseball organization in 1864 and umpired some of the most important games of his time.