spectatorsguide

   SPECTATORS' GUIDE TO VINTAGE BASE BALL
                                      (Circa 1860)

Vintage Base Ball is what we call the game played as it was in its early years,
usually by rules in effect through around 1860, and as some say, “The way it
was meant to be played”. Most of the differences we see between Vintage Base
Ball and the modern version of the game are based on rules and regulations
that were in effect, while a few are based on the customs of the times. A
Vintage Base Ball game is a form of ‘living history’ that serves to teach as well
as entertain.

Though various bat and ball games have existed for many centuries (Townball,
Rounders, Cricket, etc.), the version of the game we now know as baseball is
generally credited to Alexander Joy Cartwright, Jr. who composed a set of rules
for his team, the New York Knickerbockers Base Ball Club in 1845. Those
included the diamond shaped field, three strikes and three outs rules, fair and
foul territory and elimination of the practice of ‘soaking’, or throwing the ball at
a runner to put him out.

Vintage base ball demonstrates the spirit and ideals of the early days of our
national pastime as we show how the game was intended to be played. The
various clubs are generally sponsored by or associated with historical parks
and museums, with uniforms either based on historical 19th century patterns
or designs or on those worn by early 20th century local community ball clubs.

While we strive to authentically portray the people and customs of the 1860s,
we do not dwell on the strife and conflict that also marked that time in our
history. We should also note that baseball was not widely played in Texas until
the end of the 1860s, largely brought south by returning Confederate soldiers
who had seen the game played in the north or who had even played it, possibly
in Union prison camps. And while we refer to the ‘gentlemen’ who play on our
team, we do not restrict our membership to the masculine gender, nor do we
impose any other restrictions that might have been in effect during those
times. After all, we’re here not only to educate, but to have fun and to
entertain, which are in keeping with the spirit of the original game.

We play the game by the rules adopted by the National Association of Base Ball
Players in 1860, choosing this year because those rules retained the character
of the game as it was played before the refinements of the following decades
which led it to more closely resemble the modern game.

Here are some of the ways Vintage Base Ball differs from the modern version
of the game:

“Base Ball” was originally two separate words.

When playing Vintage Base Ball, no gloves are used; the catcher and fielders
play with bare hands. Such equipment didn’t make an appearance until the
1870s and still weren’t commonly used until the 1880s.

The vintage base ball is about 10” in circumference and is not wound as tightly
as the modern 9" ball, thus making it a little softer. However, weighing
approximately 6 oz., is about one ounce heavier than the modern ball. Also, the
hide or cover is usually a single piece of leather stitched in a ‘lemon peel’
fashion rather than the two piece figure eight (modern) design more commonly
used by the 1870s.

Vintage bats are generally heavier and have thicker handles than modern bats.
Though the thickness of the barrel was not to exceed two and one half inches,
there were no restrictions on length until 1869 when length was limited to
42".

There are generally no called strikes or balls. Balls started to be called around
1863, though the number needed to award first base varied between three and
nine until 1889. Called strikes were common by the mid 1880s. The rules of
1860 did permit the umpire to begin calling strikes if he felt that the batter was
deliberately failing to swing to delay the game or to bring about some unfair
advantage for base runners.

The pitcher throws underhand from 45’. Because there is no specified strike
zone, he is to pitch the ball in a way that the striker has a chance of hitting it.

Most early deliveries were slow pitch, but the fast pitch made its first
appearance in 1858, though it was not widely used until a few years later.
Overhand pitching was not allowed until 1884.

The distance to the pitching point was moved out to 50’ in 1881, then to a spot
60’, 6” from home plate in 1893. The pitcher’s mound was added around 1904
and has undergone several changes in height over the years.

Any fair or foul ball caught on the fly or on the first bounce is an out. The one
bounce fly out in fair territory was eliminated in 1863, while the ‘foul bound’
out remained on the books until 1885.

When a ball is caught ‘on the fly’, base runners must tag up or be put out (as
with the modern version). By contrast, when the struck ball is caught after one
bound, it is still in play, and although the batter is out, base runners have the
option of attempting to advance without having to tag up. However, with no one
running to first, a force is not in effect.

Whether a ball is fair or foul depends on where it strikes the ground first, not
where it ends up. For example, a ball landing in fair territory that rolls or
bounces foul is still a fair ball.   The ‘fair-foul rule’ was done away with in 1876,
but until then, many players specialized in such hits because balls hit into foul
territory were often very hard to run down.

Fouls are not counted as strikes. That changed in 1901.

By the rules, foul balls are considered ‘dead’ until returned to the hands of the
pitcher, (wherever he might be), but once he has it, runners who have not
returned to their bases can be tagged out, and for this reason, spectators are
asked not to touch a foul ball. By 1867, the pitcher had to be in his 'box' for
the ball to be considered 'live'.

By custom, the choice of first offense or defense is decided on the toss of a
coin, and the winner of the toss can choose whether his team bats or takes the
field first. Rules set in 1884 had the home team bat last.

The playing field is the same shape and size as the modern baseball diamond,
with 90’ base paths but bases are 12” square straw or sand filled canvas bags
and the home plate and ‘pitching point’ are 9” to 12” white painted iron discs.

There should be a 12’ line that runs across the pitching point that the pitcher
stands behind but he can actually stand 6’ to either side of the center point.
And instead of the modern batter’s box, a 6’ line runs across home plate and
the batter should ‘toe’ this line. These dimensions and requirements
underwent many changes over the next thirty five years.

The shortstop is allowed to play to either side of second base, depending on
how the batter tends to hit. He may also play in the deeper parts of the infield
or further into the outfield if needed.

There is only one umpire and he usually positions himself about 15’ or 20’
opposite the striker or he might choose to move to a better position anywhere
on or off the field to better observe the action (or to be in the shade). Additional
umpires began to be added in the 1880s and 1890s.

The umpire loudly announces strikes, fouls, baulks and outs. He does not use
hand signs or signals because those were not used until around the turn of the
century.

The catcher might stand (not squat) anywhere from 5’ to 25’ behind the batter
and often takes pitched balls on the bounce.

There is generally no bunting. That was something not commonly done until
the 1870s.

If the batter overruns first base, he can be put out before returning. The
overrun was finally allowed in 1870.

The regulation game is nine innings long unless a shorter game is agreed upon
by both captains or declared by the umpire because of rain, darkness or other
constraints. In any case, regardless of the score, an equal number of complete
innings are to be played. A walk-off win is only done if agreed upon
beforehand.

Old style ball grounds will not always have a fence or boundary, so home runs
might be made simply by hitting the ball where it could not be returned before
the striker makes his four bases. However, the two team captains of vintage
base ball teams might agree on ground rules that a ball hit into an inaccessible
area might simply be declared a single, double or triple, instead. In the early
days, if a fielding error allowed a hitter to touch all the bases for a run, it was
simply counted as a run and not reported as a home run.

The 1860 regulations actually call for a ground rule to determine the status of a
ball striking, bouncing from, or landing in or on a tree, roof or other obstacle.

A hit batsman is not awarded first base but by 1884, hit batters were allowed a
'walk'. By some traditions, deliberately hitting any player with the ball might
bring a fine by the umpire.

After the first inning, the first batter up is not the next player in the order, but
rather, the player following the last man put out in the previous inning. By
1878, the batters struck in the order we see in the modern game.

Position players can be swapped around on the field as needed, but the 1860
rules say the pitcher can only be taken out after the third inning or if injured.

The infield fly rule did not exist until 1895, but failure to catch an infield fly
just to allow a double or triple play is considered unsportsmanlike.

Because in the earlier years it had been considered undignified (as well as
damaging to good clothes), there is very little deliberate sliding. By 1865,
though, the practice had been fully allowed by the rules and after that, it was
seen more and more.

One base ball is generally used for the entire game, and that ‘game ball’ is then
usually awarded to the winning team. However, ground rules might allow for
two or more balls to be used to avoid delaying the game while home runs or foul
balls are retrieved. Spectators must return any balls they catch or find.

No one may directly address the umpire without his permission, and only the
team Captains are allowed to approach him to question his calls. By tradition,
players who argue with the umpire might be subject to fines.

By some customs, it is acceptable for the umpire to ask for the opinion of
players or even spectators if he cannot tell how a play went. It is understood
that gentlemen and ladies will answer honestly.

Traditionally, players will report their runs to the scorekeeper at his table, and
some teams will have the runners accompany this by striking or ringing a ‘tally
bell’, although this might not have been done by the 1860s or '70s.

Regarding leading off, stealing and the positions of the basemen, some vintage
clubs observe traditions established in the days of Townball or the
Massachusetts Game. As base stealing at that time was considered
unsportsmanlike by many, it was often not allowed. However, neither stealing
nor leading off were actually prohibited by the rules of 1860 and those vintage
teams playing by this older custom choose between a couple options: Runners
may leave the base after the ball passes the batter, after a passed ball or as
soon as the ball is pitched. The first ‘officially recorded’ steal in the big leagues
was in 1863, following which, the runner pointed out that it was not actually
against the rules. The other nod to the older games was the practice of having
runners and base tenders stay within a couple steps of the bases. This practice
was probably due to the shorter base paths (sixty feet) and larger number of
players (up to fifteen) in the older games.

Ungentlemanly behavior such as spitting and cursing is not only discouraged,
but often subject to a fine.

Nicknames are common, even encouraged for players of Vintage Base Ball.

Players might good naturedly jeer their opponents, but will still often
congratulate a particularly good play made by an opponent.

Vintage Base Ball players and participants demonstrate the customs of the
times, wear old style clothing and use figures of speech and phrases common
to the period. Hand shaking, back slapping and doffing caps in salute were the
standard show of appreciation of good plays and runs scored. High fives were
not!

Prior to a game, an announcer will give a short talk to the spectators, outlining
most of the differences in the rules and customs, and during the game, he will
again point out plays and calls that differ from the modern version.

Following the game, opposing teams will congratulate each other with rounds of
huzzahs for a well played contest and then pass by each other in lines shaking
hands. Afterwards, they might meet and dine together.

_______________________________________________________________________________

It should be noted that there are often situations that call for minor
modifications or adaptations to the 1860 rules. The original National
Association of Base Ball Players created provisions for some ground rules, but
modern ballists must often make decisions based on player health or other
practical or considerations. We have created a checklist of ground rules options
along with an annotated or detailed look at those options and how they apply to
the original regulations.