Clipping:Pitching delivery restrictions loosened
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
 |
| Add a Clipping |
| Date | Sunday, December 8, 1867 |
|---|---|
| Text | In view of the fact that the batting, of late years, has rather had the advantage over the pitching, an amendment has been introduced doing away with certain restrictions of the pitcher’s movement. He is now allowed to deliver the ball in what way he pleases, provided he delivers it from within the lines of his position, extended to six feet square, and does not throw or jerk the ball, these prohibited movements being expressly defined. New York Sunday Mercury December 8, 1867 a reminiscence about schoolboy play, in contrast to modern adult play; the National Association convention When I was a schoolboy, only a few years ago, it was the fashion for boys to assemble at noon on the play-ground for a game of ball. Occasionally an hour on Saturday afternoon was added to the regular mid-day recess. By common consent, two boys, equally matched, became the leaders. One of these took a wooden “paddle,” spit on one side of it, and whirling it into the air, called out, “Wet or dry!” Wet,” said the contestant ,and all the boys crowded round to see “which side was up.” Now the choosing began. “I'll take Leonard;” “I'll take Reuben;” “I'll take Isaac;” “I'll take James;” and so on from the best players to the worst until all were chosen. Now for the first “ins,” wet or dry!” “Dry!” Up went the “paddle” spinning in the air like a top. All eyes were strained to see the paddle strike the ground. “Wet!” “wet!” exclaimed a dozen voices, and all hands rushed to their places. “I'll catch behind, you'll give ball, and the other boys will stand round in front of the striker,” said the chief player. Immediately the game began. All this done within five minutes. No advertising, no challenging, no costume, no excursions, no waste of time, no betting, no gambling, no drinking, drunkenness, fighting, or nonsense. The was play—genuine, hearty, healthful boys' play. The folly and crime of riper years never entered into those youthful sports. Newspapers, more enterprising than wise, did not herald these games, wit the names and challengers of the champions, and the innings displayed and minutely set down. But we have ceased to be boys; our time and strength are now exercised on graver games, and on more serious results than were those on the playground of the country school-house. Others, however, have learned what we have forgotten, and in the years of manhood play the games of boyhood, demoralized by practices happily unknown to the innocence of school-days. Now, bats and balls, grounds and club-rooms, costumes and trainers, matches and excursions, meetings and convention, are patented, purchased, created, devised, made, maintained and organized at a waste of time, money and strength, that in earlier and purer times would have been pronounced downright wickedness. Here then, in keeping with the change of men and things, we have a “National Convention” of ball-players held in the Chestnut-st. Theater, with president, vice-presidents and secretaries; delegates from “State societies,” and delegates from “private clubs;” Committees on “Credentials,” “Order,” Nominations,” “Rules,” Judiciary,” &c., all sitting and deliberating, grave, and wise, and pure as legislators; no graver, no wiser, and no purer. First, rules of order are discussed; then additional clubs are admitted in the Association; and thirdly, and selfishly and cowardly, it is resolved that “No club composed of persons of color, or having in its membership persons of color, shall be admitted into the National Association.” Great applause by the delegates and hisses in the galleries: whereupon the President, with more feeling than dignity, declared as one having much authority, that if these demonstrations were repeated, he would “order the galleries to be cleared immediately.” New York Daily Tribune December 12, 1867 |
| Source | New York Sunday Mercury |
| Tags | |
| Warning | |
| Comment | Edit with form to add a comment |
| Query | Edit with form to add a query |
| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
Comments
<comments voting="Plus" />