The Society for American Baseball Research has a new award, and two University of Nebraska Press authors are among the inaugural class of recipients.

The Henry Chadwick Award honors researchers, historians and others who have contributed to the understanding of the game and history of baseball.

Nine honorees shared the first award, and among them are UNP authors Peter Morris and the late Jules Tygiel.

Morris is the author of Level Playing Fields: How the Groundskeeping Murphy Brothers Shaped Baseball, which tells the story of Tom and Jack Murphy, brothers and Irish immigrants who tirelessly crafted home-field advantages for some of baseball’s earliest dynasties. The brothers Murphy were instrumental in developing pitching mounds, permanent spring training sites, and new irrigation techniques among other innovations that are now standard elements of the game.

Tygiel is the author of Extra Bases: Reflections on Jackie Robinson, Race, and Baseball History. In this collection of articles, Tygiel explores how racial developments in the game reflect American society and the ways in which our nation has changed over time.

The New York Times had a nice little write-up on the new award earlier this week. The UNP congratulates all nine honorees.