Batting (1858)

“DeBost’s batting was very fine; his catching, although good, not as fine … The batting of Davis, and especially his fielding, although he missed two important balls, rather widely thrown, was, as usual, particularly fine.” The New York Times August 23, 1858, p5

Previous earliest use (Dickson Baseball Dictionary, 3rd edition, 2009):
1861 (New York Sunday Mercury, Aug. 10; Edward J. Nichols). 

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