Natick Historical Society - Natick Baseball Factory

Natick Historical Society
Natick Baseball Factory

The Harwood Baseball Factory faces North Avenue overlooking Main Street. Harrison Harwood Sr. founded the first baseball factory in 1858 and manufactured the Official League Baseball. The center-wound balls with figure-eight-stitched horsehide covers set the standard for baseballs. Later, cowhide was used to cover softballs. This "cottage industry" included women who stitched balls at home. Wagons delivered piecework and collected the balls for finishing.

Four generations of Harwood men owned and operated the Harwood Baseball Factory. Harrison Harwood, Jr., pictured here in 1914 holding the future fourth-generation company president, Richardson Harwood, succeeded his father Harrison Harwood in 1882. Robert W. Harwood, standing, was the third member determined to "Make the Ball that Makes the Game." (Photo Courtesy of Ellen G. Harwood)