HISTORY
About Us
A very brief history
Originally formed in 2000, the original Exeter Spitfires sadly folded two years later due to a lack of opposition. However, after 10 years without baseball in Exeter the club was reformed at the end of 2012 following the launch of the South West Baseball League earlier that year. By Spring 2013 the club was ready to enter the South West Baseball.
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As baseball has continued to grow in popularity the SWBL split into 2 leagues for the 2016 season. The Spitfires currently play in the Westcountry Baseball League. This runs alongside the South West and Wales Baseball League
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Find out more about our history here.
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Our vision
The Exeter Spitfires are passionate about providing everyone with the chance to experience baseball and we welcome players from all walks of life, regardless of ability or experience. Regardless of gender, sexuality, race or religion and are proud of our record of being the only team in the WBL who have featured female players on our roster every year since forming.
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Find out more about what we stand for or check the club constitution here.
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Who we are
The Exeter Spitfires are run by a small team of passionate baseball fans. Some of us play while some take on other non playing roles during games but we are all united by our desire to provide the opportunity for everyone to enjoy baseball and softball.
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Find out more about the people behind the scenes here.
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Why Spitfires?
The name Spitfires comes from the squadron of Polish Spitfire Pilots who were based at Exeter Airport during World War 2. The name was originally decided by the original team in 2000. When we reformed in 2012 it was unanimously agreed to keep the name and recognise our heritage.
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Find out more about 317 Squadron here.
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Honouring our past and present
At the end of the season we enjoy getting together for the end of season awards evening. This is a chance for everyone to get together, have a good time and recognise those that have made a great impact during the season. As well as recognising those who have contributed on the field we like to recognise those who have contributed off the field too.
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Previous Award winners can be found here.
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Henry Chadwick
Home Grown Hall of Famer
Exeter's association with baseball can be traced all the way back to 1824 and the birth of Henry Chadwick. Henry Chadwick spent his early years growing up in the city of Exeter and was a keen Cricketer and Rounders player when he emigrated to Brooklyn, New York with his parents, aged 12.
Henry Chadwick first encountered baseball in 1856 while working as a cricket reporter for the Long Island Star. He was soon hooked on baseball and set about ways to improve the recording of baseball statistics and scoring. Chadwick is credited with devising the box score, batting averages, ERA and using the letter 'K' to represent a strike out.
Henry Chadwick was an influential member of the games early rules committees and worked hard to promote the sport during its infancy. Chadwick wrote many guides, manuals and coaching books on baseball, including the first ever hard cover book on baseball 'The Game of Baseball' first published in 1868.
Henry Chadwick passed away in Brooklyn, New York in 1908 leaving behind a legacy that would grow to become one of America's favourite past times. His tireless and influencial work was recognised with a place in Baseball's Hall of Fame in 1938, where he is known as 'the father of baseball'.
