A 1915 advertisement for Steele’s Game of Baseball, a table-top game which claimed to have “Over 1,000,000 absorbing combinations,” and promised that the player would “enjoy it beyond anything you might have believed possible:”
Greatest of All Indoor Games
“Everybody becomes a ‘fan’ when Steele’s Game of Baseball in on the table. The parlor or living room fades away. In its place appears the vision of the baseball field. The thrill of the great game enters the veins, action follows action; one tense, gripping situation follows another so rapidly that the breathless interest is sustained. Time flies away on the wings of pleasure and outside attractions cease to call to the family where Steele’s Game of Baseball has entered.”
The game was produced by the Burr-Vack Company, a Chicago-based office supply dealer, and received glowing endorsements from members of the city’s three teams:
World’s Greatest Ball-Men are “Fans
“Charles A. Comiskey owner Chicago ‘White Sox’ and probably the most famous man in baseball, says: ‘I think Steele’s Game of Baseball is the next best thing to the real outside game–full of thrills and with an endless number of exciting situations. Would be sorry to part with the one I have.’
“‘Heine’ Zimmerman third baseman of the ‘Cubs’ and famous hitter says: ‘I beg to thank you for the Steele’s Baseball Game. After one starts to play it you almost imagine you are watching the real game on the diamond. I expect to get considerable amusement out of it.’
“Mordecai Brown famous pitcher, formerly of the ‘Cubs’ but now with the ‘Whales’ says: ‘Next to the real game, I enjoy playing Steele’s Game of Baseball.It’s a dandy and should make a big hit.’
“Chas. E. Weeghman owner of Chicago ‘Whales’ Federal League pennant winners says, ‘I’m for Steele’s Game of Baseball. It’s a great game and one any lover of baseball (or anyone else) is sure to enjoy to the limit. You’ve put it right across the plate with this game.’
“Frank M. (Home Run) Schulte famous ‘Cubs’ left fielder says: ‘I am pleased with the Steele’s Baseball Game you sent me. It affords considerable amusement and is almost as interesting as the real game.”
“Joe Benz ‘White Sox’ pitcher and one of the stars of the American League, says, ‘I think it is one of the most interesting parlor games on the market. It is sure to make a big hit. I enjoy it immensely.'”
[…]
“Note what the famous professional baseball players portrayed here say about Steele’s Game of Baseball. In the long winter, when outdoor ball is impossible, these stars of the diamond find a dandy substitute in Steele’s Game of Baseball.”
Despite the endorsements, the “Ideal Xmas Gift,” which cost one dollar and was “For sale by all State Street, Department, Stationary, Toy, and Book stores,” appears to have quickly disappeared–there are no mentions of the game in newspapers after 1915.
Baseball History Daily 
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