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| Baseball Rules of the 1860's |
| One-Bounders |
| Force Outs The force play stays on even if the first out is made behind the runner. For instance, if a base runner is at first and a ground ball is hit to the first baseman, he can touch first base and throw to second for a force out to complete the double play. In the modern game, it would be a tag play at second in this situation. |
| Fair-Fouls Balls are considered fair if they first hit the ground in fair territory. Skilled strikers will sometimes intentionally hit the ball so that it hits in fair territory in front of home point and spins into foul territory. Whereas today this would be a foul ball, it is fair in the vintage game. |
| Foul Balls and the Runner No runner can advance on a foul ball and a foul ball becomes live once the pitcher touches it. On fouls, the pitcher is advised to cover the appropriate base to attempt to record an out if the base runner is late in returning to his base. |
| The Striking Order The first batter in an inning is the one who bats after the person making the last out in the previous inning. Suppose the batsman in front of you gets on first with a hit and you hit a grounder to the short stop who forces the runner at second for the third out. In the next inning, you would lead off as the final out was made by the runner at second. |
| Stealing Bases and Sliding Stealing was far less common than today. Runners would, however, take extra bases on passed balls and overthrows. Sliding, while not unheard of, was fairly uncommon until a bit later in the period. In keeping with the gentlemanly spirit of the times, many Vintage Base Ball Clubs do not allow sliding. |
| Field Dimensions The bases are 90 feet apart like today. The pitcher stands 45 feet from home and pitches underhand, though he may do so swiftly. The modern game puts the pitcher 60' 6" from home plate. |
| Gloves and Equipment Base ballists caught the ball with bare hands until the 1880's. Early gloves were introduced by catchers and first base men in the late 1870's. By 1890, almost all players were wearing gloves. Similarly, catcher's equipment was gradually introduced in 1870's and 1880's, particularly after pitching turned overhand and catchers had to move forward to attempt to throw out base stealers. |
| Balls and Bats The ball of the 1860's was a bit larger, heavier, and softer than a modern hardball. It is made with a rubber core surrounded with woolen yarn and a one-piece (as opposed to two-piece like today) leather cover. Vintage ballists are cautioned against casual play as broken fingers are a constant threat. Bats were made of many types of wood, but like today, ash was the most popular. Most Vintage Base Ball Clubs use hand-turned bats for authenticity. |
| Vintage Vocabulary Here are some vintage base ball terms with their modern equivalents: Striker = Batter Hurler = Pitcher Behind = Catcher Leg It! = Run! Ace = Run Crank = Fan Huzzah! = Hurrah! Ballist = Ball Player Daisy Cutter = Ground Ball Sky Ball = Pop Up Mascot = Bat Boy Foul Tick = Foul Ball, Dead = Out Muff = Error | see More Vintage Base Ball Terms |
| Thank you to the Vintage Base Ball Association for assistance with this article. |
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