British baseball champions crowned a century after win

In the early 1900s, baseball transcended its origins in the United States and gained popularity in the UK, with Chipping Norton Baseball Club in the Cotswolds taking center stage during the 1920s. Founding the club after seeing it in a sporting pamphlet, Fred Lewis, a local undertaker with a passion for baseball, was instrumental in the team's success.

Despite lacking substantial equipment, Lewis designed and made the team's uniform, becoming the center of his life. The club's popularity grew, drawing large crowds to Sunday afternoon games. In 1926, Chipping Norton defeated the London Americans at Stamford Bridge, now home to Chelsea FC, to win their first national title. The team retained the championship the following year, but the club's success dwindled as Lewis aged.

Neither of the club's national titles were officially recognized until recently, with the British Baseball Federation unveiling a plaque at Chipping Norton Museum to celebrate the team's achievements a century after their first triumph.