Clipping:Is curved ball pitching a fallacy?; a bet on the question

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Date Saturday, September 29, 1877
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Pitchers talk about curving the ball this way and that way, when it is an open question whether there is any such thing in existence as a curved ball. One of the best known base-ball men in the country, excepting Harry Wright and a resident of Cincinnati, declares that no pitcher ever curved a ball in its delivery, and, moreover, declaring it an impossibility to do so. He says he will deposit one thousand dollars to cover a bet which any gentleman wants to make with him to that amount on the above proposition. He declares that what is called the pitcher's curve is merely a straight delivery, caused by the position of the pitcher and the manner in which he holds his arm. Without the resistance of a substance which touches only one part of the ball, this gentleman says the laws of philosophy teach him that a curve cannot be produced, and as the pressure of the air is equal on every part of the ball's surface the theory of the curve is impossible. We shall not take sides on the question, but invite discussion of it through these columns. Should any one desire to accept the gentleman's bet, they can hear from us by addressing the base-ball editor of the Enquirer. Cleveland Leader September 29, 1877, quoting the Cincinnati Enquirer

There is a curious controversy just now going on as to whether a pitcher can give a ball a horizontal curve. Some papers (notably the Cincinnati Times) declare in leaded brevier that it cannot be done, and some men assert that they want to bet that it cannot. Nothing is more easy than to show and argue that the curve cannot be put on, and at the same time nothing is easier than to show it. Let the doubters go behind the catcher for any such pitcher as Bradley, Ward, Cummings, or Mitchell and they will be convinced or lose their faith in their eyes. Chicago Tribune September 30, 1877

Source Cleveland Leader
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Submitted by Richard Hershberger
Origin Initial Hershberger Clippings

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