It was noted that the old rules of base ball
were quite different than today’s rules, but many of the Customs remained the
same. These Rules and Customs came from the Rules and Regulations of the Game
of Base Ball Adopted by the National Association of Base-Ball Players March 14,
1860:
The ball is
pitched underhanded from anywhere behind the pitcher's line.
The batsman must
stand on or straddle a line through home plate.
The pitcher must
deliver the ball as requested by the batsman, who holds out the bat to indicate
where the ball is to be sent.
Pitches are not
judged as balls or strikes, but the umpire may call a strike if the batsman
persists in not swinging at well-pitched balls.
The ball is
judged fair or foul according to where it first touches the ground (people,
structures, and trees don't count as the ground).
Articles of
clothing such as a hat or mittens may not be used to catch a ball.
An out is declared
if:
A hit ball is
caught on the fly or the first bound, including foul ticks to the catcher.
A batsman misses
swinging at three pitched balls and the third strike is caught by the catcher
on the fly or first bound. If the catcher misses the pitch, the umpire will
declare the ball to be fair and the batsman must make his run to first base.
A ball arrives
in the hands of a baseman whose foot is upon the base prior to a base runner
who is required to make that base.
A ball in the
hands of an adversary touches a base runner not safely on his base.
A base runner
does not return to his original base before a caught fly ball reaches the same
base.
A base runner
overruns any base and is touched by the ball in the hands of an adversary.
A base runner
may not advance on any foul ball and must return to his original base. He may
be tagged out if not there after the ball has been settled in the hands of the
pitcher.
A base runner
may advance at his own risk on a fair ball caught on the bound.
A base runner
may advance after a fair fly ball is caught provided he has tagged his most
recent base after the ball is in the hands of the fielder.
A base runner
must run for the next base if the ball is hit, and the force remains on even if
an out is made behind the advancing runner.
CUSTOMS OF THE GAME
There were also customs governing the game and according to the various
reports, these Rules and Customs were faithfully observed by the Islanders:
- Uncivil
language, ungentlemanly behavior, spitting, or any actions that would offend a
lady are not tolerated on pain of a fine of up to a week's wages.
- After scoring an
ace, a base runner must report to the tally keeper for the run to count.
- Infielders
should play several steps in front of their base. The shortstop plays inside the
baseline but may play on either side of the second base. Outfielders play in
the center of their field, shaded neither to left nor right; they may play in
or out as required by a batsman's ability.
- The first
batsman called to the line in the following inning is the person in the
striking order after the player who made the last out, even if the last out was
made by an advancing base runner.
- There is no
bunting or sliding.
- The fans cheer
teams on with loud “huzzas” for a good play by either side. Running to first
would be urged by, “Leg it, leg it, leg it.” Hand shakes from opponents and a
good word are earned by a ballist making an exceptional play.
- A fine repast
and sharing of good fellowship, cigars, and fine liquors follow a match.
While the men so enthusiastically gained proficiency in the sport, one woman offered the other side of the base ball issue. “…All one hears while the men folks are about is ‘How well this one plays or how poorly that one.’ We would like to know what benefit has been derived from base ball so far.
When the balls are being made, you have to produce all the old socks for ravelings, but old socks won’t ravel, so you have to forward better ones. The good socks are unraveled for the balls and the poor are worn in tight boots, when at any other time a darned sock was out of the question. After the ball is made of the best material, the chances are of its being soon on the other side. Then you see old boot tops all over the room, if they don’t happen to have poor ones, a better pair will of course make a better ball. [This must refer to the leather cover.]
All these things are too extravagant for these times. One man of our acquaintance has been limping around with a sprained ankle for 10 days or more, but is still infatuated with base ball as much as ever. Another got his hand or wrist hurt and is therefore laid up. Of course he would not like to call in the doctor and meet a heavy bill. On calling on a friend the other day, she said she had to build fires that morning because her husband had got hurt in some way while playing base ball. In the same round of calls another said she had to go without buckwheat cakes because her husband had forgotten the flour. In passing another house, we heard a lady calling after someone, ‘Be sure and bring that paper of pins this time.’ I believe they have not arrived yet. I suppose she had given up all hopes of getting them and had concluded to say nothing more about it.
Some of you base ballers may not sympathize with us a great deal, but we know that a certain young deacon’s wife would, especially if she had to go without provisions much longer, which she had sent for a week or more ago. They cannot think of such trifling affairs. Their Innings and Outings, white-washing and fouling is enough for them. In speaking of fouls and white-washing, the other day a lady, she innocently asked if they were going to white-wash the chicken coop, and such a look of pity as rested on his face for the poor ignorant thing!!
The men folks
have just returned, better times coming. They say that the firm of A. S. Kelley
& Co. have sent for a number of casks of Arnica!” [Arnica was a liniment which was rubbed onto the skin to reduce pain and
inflammation from bruises and sprains.]
The ball team - 1934
“On Saturday Eve the sun was low
– And on the ground but little snow;
The boys from home and school did go – To have a game of
Base Ball.
The school dismissed, away they flew – To meet the yet
unvanquished crew;
N’or heeded they how hard it blew – Resolved were they on
Base Ball.
And each and all resolved to aid – To win the game of Base Ball.
There were ‘Dan’ and ‘Raz’ and ‘Jim’ and ‘Jac’ – and ‘Colonel’ at third base to take
The flies, so runners couldn’t make – their tally, playing Base Ball.
And ‘Titus’ at the first base bold – Blowing his fingers that were cold;
So when the ball came he could hold – it and win the game of Base Ball
With ‘Pete’ and ‘Lew’ and ‘Pete’ again - And ‘Ned’ and ‘Will’ besides, and then
The Master, one of the tallest men - were all there playing Base Ball.
The Umpire shivering in the breeze - with score sheet resting on his knees,
To look at him would make you sneeze - as he watched the game of Base Ball.
The girls all wrapped in warmest clothes - were there to see, though almost froze;
Determined if they freeze a nose - they’d watch this game of Base Ball.
Well! After the game was through - of 20 to the 42;
In favor of the school boys crew - And so they won at Base Ball
MORAL: The boys all go to school each day - where we are well aware that they;
If Nothing Else have learned to play - the noble game of Base Ball.
So we who have the bills to pay - for readin, ‘ritin, and Algebra;
Are glad our money isn’t all thrown away - For the boys are learning Base Ball.”
From Kelleys Island -1866-1871 - the Lodge, Suffrage & Baseball by Leslie Korenko
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