Objects of Substance - Knickerbockers

Softball was introduced to Australia during World War II in 1942 by American Serviceman, William Duvernet in Victoria. The game was introduced to Queensland by American, Mack Gilley in 1946 and soon the Queensland Softball and Baseball Association were formed with Mack Gilley as president. The popularity of the game grew within Australia where clubs were formed, softball knickerbockers were donned, and a healthy interstate competition was run annually.

Geordan Shannon’s 21 st

C19th Century Knickerbockers

Century knickerbockers

This traditional uniform of knickerbockers began in the United States where the term was first used in a sporting context in 1845 with the newly minted baseball team, the New York Knickerbockers. Their uniform utilised the Dutch designed pants of a gathered waist and pleated or buckled gathering at the knees. This attire was adopted by golfers and 19 th century women cyclists as well as softballers, for its ease of movement and protection from the elements. Softball gained international popularity and Australia hosted the first World Series in Melbourne in 1965, at which we won – competing against USA, Japan, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. It is therefore not surprising that the sport with its growing credibility and popularity came to the attention of the sports mistresses of the QGSSSA. When softball was introduced as a fledgling QGSSSA sport in 1965, the wearing of specialised clothing was deemed unnecessary. So, teams competed in their normal sports uniforms.