The Washington times., 1903-08-09
QUEER BASEBALL TERMS.
Amusing Description of the Game as 1t
Was Played in 1873.

To the baseball enthusiast Of the pres
ent day a description Of the national
game as played a generation ago will
probably prove astounding. Even the
Old-timer who has seen the game play
ed in the long ago will find It interest
ing to refresh his memory.
|. The description Of baseball printed in
the Encyclopedia Britannica. dated 1878
is highly amusing 20 followers OF The
game as played today. The description
includes diagram OF the Old-time dia-
mond and field. Ten players were used
the tenth being a right shoTtstop. After
giving minute particulars as TO the lay
ing out Of the grounds the description
goes on;
Formerly nine side was the usual
number OF players. but latterly an ad-
ditional man has been introduced as
right shortstop and the sides increased
70 ten. The theory OF the game is that
one side takes the field and the other
goes in. The pitcher then delivers the
ball TO the striker, who endeavors 20
hit il in such a direction as 10 elude
the helders and enable him to run
around all the base lines home without
being put out"
One of the rules Of the game was that
Gin delivering the ball the pitcher must
not move either foot outside the limits
OF the square tbOx) and the hand must
not be raised higher than the hip. All
balls delivered over the home base at
the height requested by the striker are
fair balls. All other balls are unfair OF
called balls. and if three occur in sue
cessiou the striker is allowed to take
the first base. The striker may call for
high ball, which shall be delivered
81 l. feF hut haI l. Chnrflda7-
or low ball-below his waist. but not
within one foot of the ground"
The rules also provide that the striker
was out if a fair ball was caught before
touching the ground or after touching
the ground but once"
On the subject Of the duty of players,
the rules provided that the Catcher's duty
is TO catch all balls pitched to the
striker He stands close 10 the striker 5
position when the pitching is slow and
some fifty feet of when II is swift. The
pitcher Is the most responsible person
OF the outside His great object is TO
deceive the striker as to where the ball
is coming, and he must therefore have
full control over the ball. besides pos
sessing the nerve to face any catches hit
straight at him.
Right shOrtstOp is generally the cap
tain OF the side, and is available either
an extra hand is required. Having less
work 10 do than any other fielder he has
better opportunities of attending to his
general duties of supervision.
The pastime requires good catching,
throwing, and running powers, combined
with courage, nerve. good judgment, and
quick perception of what to do In the
field. The great drawback IS so much
being left to the umpire and his decision
being so frequently called for. Hardly a
ball is pitched or struck or base run
without his being called on for an UNI
pire's decision under some rule or other.
whereas the details of the game should
be so plain and clear as only to call for
ar umpire's decision under exceptional
circumstances. The attitude of the
striker is not an elegant one, and the
pitcher is allowed 10 keep the formers
muscles too long on the stretch before
actually delivering the ball. Baseball is
a quicker and more lively pastime than
the great English game Of cricket, which
is the chief thing TO be said in its favor"