Did you know the first recorded baseball match was played near Guildford*, or that the introduction of the third cricket stump is claimed by Chertsey**?

These fascinating sporting histories and more will be explored at a touring exhibition over the coming months which has been organised by Surrey County Council with the help of other organisations from across the county.

The exhibition, titled Our Sporting Life, will reveal hidden sporting histories as well as famous and forgotten heroes as part of the Cultural Olympiad in the build up to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Denise Saliagopoulos, Surrey County Council's Cabinet Member for Community Service and the 2012 Games, said: "Surrey has a rich and varied sporting history bursting with fascinating facts and stories just waiting to be told. Sport plays a big part in many people's lives so I'm sure they'll be intrigued to learn about some of its history.

"Cycling is very popular in Surrey and many people will be looking forward to the Olympic road races in the county next year, but it's fascinating to learn that around 100 years ago there were huge gatherings of up to 20,000 cyclists in county."

As well as the exhibitions there will be a host of other events and activities taking place including guided walks around Brooklands racetrack to discover the history of cycling and motor racing.

The exhibitions will take place on the following dates:

• Spelthorne Museum – 21 May to 18 June
• Godalming Museum – 21 June to 9 July
• Haslemere Educational Museum – 11 to 31 July
• Rural Life Centre – 10 to 24 August
• Museum of Farnham – 1 to 17 September
• Shepperton Local History Society – 24 September
• Guildford Spectrum – 2 to 9 October
• Surrey History Centre - 11 October to 11 November

* In 2008, Surrey History Centre authenticated a diary entry made by Surrey lawyer, William Bray, about playing the game of baseball with friends near Guildford on Easter Monday, 31 March 1755.

** In 1772, cricket was played with two stumps and only a single bail. During a match Edward (Lumpy) Stevens bowled the ball between the two stumps without dislodging the bail and each time the batsman, John Small, was given not out. This caused a huge outcry. Two years later the rules were revised and the third stump was introduced. The first recorded match played with three stumps took place at the Burway ground on 6 September 1776 between Chertsey and Coulsden. Edward Stevens died in 1821 and is buried in the churchyard of St. Mary's Church, Walton-upon-Thames.