The First Public Game

Basketball was invented in December 1891, but through those first few months, it was mostly played in closed gyms by classes. The first physical evidence of Naismith's invention comes from Patton's diary, where he describes a game played between the secretarial class and their instructors March 11, 1892 at 5:15. This coincides with a newspaper article from the Springfield Republican a day afterwards, titled "Basket Football Game". This article detailed the event which had 200 spectators, and provided a recap of the game, which the students won by a score of 5-1, mostly thanks to Edward Ruggles' four points. Finley MacDonald also contributed a point and excellent defense. Famous football coach and physical educator Amos Alonzo Stagg scored the only point for the instructors, but had trouble adjusting from the physical nature of football, and committed many fouls. Patton also makes note of a game that took place May 28, which Springfield beat Providence 8-6.