Introduction
The foundation of the baseball collection at the Cleveland Public Library is comprised of two outstanding, formerly private collections. In 1944, the Library acquired the baseball collection of Cleveland advertising executive Charles W. Mears (1874-1942). Mears was a young contributing writer to the St. Louis Sporting News when he began a lifelong enthusiasm for baseball information and statistics. He amassed one of the largest baseball libraries in the country, and is recognized as the first baseball statistician. The Mears Collection contains the daily box scores for a period of approximately 40 years, as well as books on all phases of baseball. Included are long runs of annuals and periodicals (some dating from 1858), league constitutions, and baseball fiction.

In 1992, the Cleveland Public Library acquired the collection of Eugene C. Murdock (1921-1992), Ohio historian and professor at Marietta College. The Murdock Collection spans a later time period than the Mears Collection and includes minor league material, more biographies, annuals, and 50 scrapbooks covering the years 1910-1976. Oral history tapes of major league players recorded by Dr. Murdock are available for lending. Dr. Murdock authored several books and articles, including a biography of Ban Johnson.

The Library is offering broad public access to its collections as a contribution to education and scholarship. Some materials in the collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). Additionally, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners.

The nature of historical archival collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Whenever possible, the Library provides information about copyright owners and other restrictions to aid patrons in determining the appropriate use of an item, but that determination ultimately rests with the patron.

The Library is eager to hear from any copyright owners who are not properly identified so that appropriate information may be provided in the future.