Spirit of the Game
Vintage base ball teams seek to maintain the spirit of the original game with its focus on gentlemanly play, fun, camaraderie and recreation. This section is for the fans, known as “cranks”, to learn a little more about the etiquette, finer points of play and the unique terms of the times.
Etiquette and Points of Play. Fielding
The game of 1860 is a gentleman’s game. During a game the players should seek to exhibit the utmost skill and also display good sportsmanship. One of the points of play involves the proper fielding of a fly ball. By the rules a fielder may catch the ball on one bound and still make an out. However, this practice is not to be encouraged. As Henry Chadwick points out: “We would not envy the position of the fielder who mars the beauty of a fine hit by waiting until the force of the ball is spent on the ground, and then catching it on the rebound- a feat a boy of ten years old would scarcely be proud of.“ In another passage on the same topic, Chadwick writes “Nothing disappoints the spectator, or dissatisfies the Batsman so much, as to see a fine hit to the long field caught on the bound in this simple , childish manner.” The cranks should let the fielder know both when they have made a good play on a tough ball as well as when they have opted for the easier play.
Pitching and Hitting
The rules of 1860 call for the pitcher, or hurler, to deliver the ball over the plate for the striker, or batter. While the hurler may change speeds and impart spin on the ball, their primary function is to allow the striker to hit the ball and trust in the skill of the fielders to make the play. Ideally in a game played by the rules of 1860, there will not be any called strikes. The umpire may call a strike if it is judged that the batter is standing at the plate and letting good pitches go by. This should not be necessary provided that the striker remembers their duty to strike at good pitches. Pitch outs on the part of the hurler, or the striker waiting for their team mate to steal second or third base are ungentlemanly plays. Chadwick addresses both of these situations in his comments on the rules: “We would remind him (the Pitcher) that in cases where a player has reached his first base after striking, it is the Pitcher’s duty to pitch the ball to the bat, and not to the catcher; and should the batsman refuse to strike at good balls repeatedly pitched at him, it will be the umpire’s duty to call one strike, etc., according to section 37 of the rules”. Should the cranks observe these behaviors they should let the player know it and encourage them to meet their gentlemanly duties.
Sportsmanship
The game is being played for recreation and simply for the love of it. It is common behavior for both sides to applaud a well struck or fielded ball, regardless of which team has made the play. On a close play which the umpire was unable to see, the umpire should be able to appeal to the players and they should give their honest answer of what happened even to the detriment of their team. As Chadwick points out in his description of the model player, “Regarding the game as a healthful exercise, and a manly and exciting recreation, he plays it solely for the pleasure it affords him, and if victory crowns his efforts in a contest, well and good, but should defeat ensue he is equally ready to applaud the success obtained by his opponents; and by such action he robs defeat of half its sting, and greatly adds to the pleasure the game has afforded both himself and his adversaries.“ We hope this same spirit carries over to the cranks.
Terms
1st, 2nd & 3rd Base-tenders: basemen - (a term not used until 1880)
Ace or Tally: A run scored
Ballists: Ball players
Baulk: Interruption of the hurler’s motion, results in a base for all runners
Behind: Catcher
Bull Pen: The are along the foul lines where cranks sat
Captain: The team’s leader (who usually played as well); there was no manager, as yet
Chafing: To complain about an umpire’s decision; usually resulted in a fine up to 25 cents
Change Player: A reserve player
Cloud Hunter: A fly ball; synonyms include air-ball, skyer, sky-scraper, sky-trimmer
Cranks, Rooters, or Bugs: Spectators; “Fan” was not used until 1889
Daisy-cutter: A ground ball, synonyms include bug-bruiser, grass-clipper, skimmer, ant-killer
Dead: Out
Diamond: Infield
Foul Tick: A struck ball which first touches the ground in foul territory
Four-bagger: A hit which stays within the field of play, but the striker is able to reach home; a home run is a hit which travels beyond an outfield barrier
Home Base: One foot diameter iron plate; began being called home plate in 1869
Hurler: Pitcher
In the Hole or In the Hold: The striker next up (there was not yet a description of “being on deck”)
Left-, Mid-, & Right-Scouts: Outfielders (terms used until 1883)
Leg It: Aggressive base running, trying to stretch a hit into another base
Muff: Error; synonyms include juggle, boot, mug a ball, loose fielding
Muffin: From the word muff, an insult
Murderer’s Row: Any lineup of power hitters (1858); not a description invented for the ’27 Yankees
Nine: Team; synonyms include Match Nine, Club, or Side
Other Hit descriptions: Include Knock, Hammer, Stinger, and Stunner (hard hits), Line Ball, Line Drive, Fungo (a scratch hit), Sucker (a bloop hit), Red-hot (extremely fast), Brander
Pace: The speed at which a hurler works; other pitching terms include Red Hot (a very fast pitch), Curveball, Outcurve (a pitch which appears to curve outward) Inshoot (opposite of outcurve), Over-pitch (pitching the ball overhanded, resulting in a baulk), Deliver, Jumjam (a wild pitch)
Short Scout: Shortstop
Striker: Batter
The Garden: Outfield
Three Hands Dead: The side is retired