BASE BALL --
1857 PREVIEW
The New York Association
The days are getting longer and summer is almost here. This can only mean one thing...base ball season is just around the corner.
The question around the Big Apple is, "Who will have the best first nine in 1857?"
Will the Atlantic and Eckford clubs of Brooklyn continue their unbeaten streaks? Will the emerging Eagle club of New York become a dominate force in the newly organized Association of Base Ball Players?
Clearly these questions cannot be answered until the games are actually played. However, the Sport's courageous editor has predicted how he thinks the New York Association's best nines will fare during the 1857 season.
Projected team standings with last season's won-lost records in [brackets]:
Code:
1. Atlantic (Brooklyn)[4-0]
2. Eckford (Brooklyn) [2-0]
3. Eagle (New York) [3-2-1]
4. Gotham (New York) [2-1-1]
5. Knickerbocker (New York) [2-2-1]
6. Union (Morrisania) [3-2]
7. Excelsior (Brooklyn) [1-1]
8. Empire (New York) [1-1-1]
9. Putnam (Brooklyn) [1-1]
10. Harlem (New York) [1-1]
11. Continental (Brooklyn) [0-1]
12. Nassau (Brooklyn) [0-2]
13. Baltic (New York) [0-5]
14. Olympic (Brooklyn) [0-1]
15. Bedford (Brooklyn) [0-1]
16. Harmony (Brooklyn) [0-1]
Looking to come out on top this year:
Atlantic:
The Atlantics were undefeated in '56 and stand poised to have another fine run this season. By far, Atlantic is the most balanced club in the Association, equally adept at bat and in the field. First baseman John Price is the star for the Atlantics, but the team also gets excellent production from second baseman John Holder, shortstop Dicky Pearce, rightfielder Peter O'Brien and catcher L.M. Bergen. Mattie O'Brien is a solid pitcher who also happens to be a monster when he's at bat.
First Nine
1B, John Price
2B, John Holder
SS, Dicky Pearce
3B, Polkert Boerum
LF, Archie McMahon
CF, Tice Hamilton
RF, Peter O'Brien
C, L.M. Bergen
P, Mattie O'Brien
Eckford:
The Eckfords were one of the stronger clubs in '56 and look to challenge again this season. They boast a solid group of hitters in their lineup, led by shortstop George Grum, who scored 19 runs, and catcher Frank Pidgeon. Fans are especially looking forward to the late season matchup of last year's two undefeated clubs as the Ecks take on the Atlantics.
First Nine
1B, Tostivan
2B, Welling
SS, George Grum
3B, Logan
LF, Harry Manolt
CF, James Gray
RF, Curtis
C, Frank Pidgeon
P, McVoy
Eagle:
Among the many clubs that have been organized in the last few years, none have come as far and risen as fast as the Eagle. Since their formation in '54 they have never hesitated to play the first clubs. Thanks to the competition and regular practices, the club's first nine have developed into one of finest in the Association. The catcher, Gelston, is one of the best at his position. His batting is solid; his catching and throwing to the bases is excellent. The bases are covered, especially at third by Place. Bixby is a steady pitcher, and while he doesn't throw with much speed, he does throw a ball that will curve as it approaches the striker.
First Nine
1B, Winslow
2B, Houseman
SS, Smith
3B, Charles Place, Jr.
LF, Williams
CF, Wandell
RF, Sam Yates
C, Marvin Gelston
P, Bixby
Gotham:
When Gotham was formed in 1852, most of the players were new to the game, but continual practice has improved them very much. The Gothams have a well-balanced and experienced nine. Vail, at catcher, is one of the oldest players in the city, and is one of the original Gothams. He is a strong bat, and plays with good judgment. T.G. Van Cott stands high as pitcher, combining speed with an even ball. At first base for Gotham is Wadsworth, a former Knickerbocker. Until last year, he had played in every match for the Knicks. During the offseason, Wadsworth had a falling out with the club, left and came to Gotham. He remains one of the best first basemen in the Association. Perfectly fearless—he will stop any ball that comes within reach—and can play any position in the field. McCosker and Johnson are both fine fielders, and strong batsmen. The remainder of Gotham's first nine, while unspectacular at the plate, are solid fielders.
First Nine
1B, Louis Wadsworth
2B, Johnson
SS, Charley Commerford
3B, McCosker
LF, Sheridan
CF, Reuben Cudlipp
RF, Griswold
C, William Vail
P, T.G. Van Cott
Sleeper Teams:
Knickerbocker:
The Knicks are the oldest base ball club in the city. They were organized in 1842 and are rightly considered one of the founders of modern baseball. While few of its original members are still with the club, the Knicks always seem to turn out a strong nine and this season should be no different. Their catcher, De Bost, is regarded as one of the best to ever play the position, even though he can be a liability at the plate. He is certainly the heart of this ball club. Welling is a satisfactory, if unspectacular, pitcher. Stephens will try hard to fill the vacancy at first base following the offseason departure of long-time Knickerbocker Wadsworth. Second and third bases are well covered and the outfielders are good, especially "Doc" Adams, who can also play short. There are a few concerns about the club, however. Several of its top players are among the oldest in the Association. Also, the team doesn't practice as often as some of the top younger clubs. In addition, the Knickerbockers have become increasingly exclusive in who they schedule to play over the past several seasons. Last year, the club approved a resolution to only play clubs that practiced on their grounds. We hope that this year will see them prepared to play with any club who desires to do so.
First Nine
1B, Stephens
2B, John Mott
SS, Alfred Vredenburgh
3B, Fraley Neibuhr
LF, James Davis
CF, Daniel "Doc" Adams
RF, Tucker
C, Charles DeBost
P, Norman Welling
Union:
Union of Morrisania, while not yet an elite club, is certainly one of the more competitive teams in the Association. This will be only their third year of playing together, yet already they have compiled a won-lost record that is the envy of some teams that have been playing much longer. The Unions are paced by catcher Gifford and third baseman Todd at the plate. The remainder of Union's first nine, while not spectacular batsmen, are steady and seem to produce hits and runs when the club most needs them. Pinckney is an adequate pitcher with good speed on his throws.
First Nine
1B, Booth
2B, Henry Balcom
SS, Ferdon
3B, Henry Todd
LF, E. Durell
CF, Rodman
RF, Dickerson
C, Gifford
P, Pinckney
Official Knickerbocker rules
1ST. Members must strictly observe the time agreed upon for exercise, and be punctual in their attendance.
2ND. When assembled for exercise, the President, of in his absence, the Vice-President, shall appoint an Umpire, who shall keep the game in a book provided for that purpose, and note all violations of the By-Laws and Rules during the time of exercise.
3RD. The presiding officer shall designate two members as Captains, who shall retire and make the match to be played, observing at the same time that the player's opposite to each other should be as nearly equal as possible, the choice of sides to be then tossed for, and the first in hand to be decided in like manner.
4TH. The bases shall be from "home" to second base, forty-two paces; from first to third base, forty-two paces, equidistant.
5TH. No stump match shall be played on a regular day of exercise.
6TH. If there should not be a sufficient number of members of the Club present at the time agreed upon to commence exercise, gentlemen not members may be chosen in to make up the match, which shall not be broken up to take in members that may afterwards appear; but in all cases, members shall have the preference, when present, at the making of the match.
7TH. If members appear after the game is commenced, they may be chosen in if mutually agreed upon.
8TH. The game to consist of nine innings. If the score is tied after nine innings; extra innings may be played until there is a winner; however at the conclusion an equal number of outs must be played.
9TH. The ball must be pitched, not thrown, for the bat.
10TH. A ball knocked out of the field, or outside the range of the first and third base, is foul.
11TH. Three balls being struck at and missed and the last one caught, is an out; if not caught is considered fair, and the striker must run bases.
12TH. If a ball be struck, or tipped, and caught, either flying or on the first bound, it is an out.
13TH. A player running the bases shall be out, if the ball is in the hands of an adversary on the base, or the runner is touched with it before he makes his base; it being understood, however, that in no instance is a ball to be thrown at him.
14TH. A player running who shall prevent an adversary from catching or getting the ball before making his base, is a hand out.
15TH. Three outs, all out.
16TH. Players must take their bat in regular turn.
17TH. All disputes and differences relative to the game, to be decided by the Umpire, from which there is no appeal.
18TH. No ace or base can be made on a foul strike.
19TH. A runner cannot be put out in making one base, when a balk is made on the pitcher.
20TH. But one base allowed when a ball bounds out of the field when struck.
The Massachusetts Game
So, just what is the Massachusetts Game of base ball? In this version, played on a square with 60-foot basepaths, the striker stands at a point equidistant between the first and fourth bases. He attempts to hit a ball thrown overhand from the midpoint of the square, a distance of 30 feet. However, because there is no foul territory, he can deliberately tick the ball behind him or employ backhanded or slide batting techniques.
A side can number 10 to 14, though 11 is the most common contingent, and several fielders are stationed in what New York eyes would view as ''foul ground," including at least two "scouts" behind the striker. Three misses and the batsman is out, but if he strkes the ball, he flies around the bases (four-foot stakes, actually) until he himself is struck by a fielder's throw or stops his homeward course by holding to his base. The ball is small and light and so far, there is no record of anyone suffering injury (except to pride) from being "soaked."
One man out, side out. Victory requires the scoring of 100 runs, or sometimes by agreement a lesser number.
The Teams
The Olympic club, of Boston, established in 1854, was the first regularly organized Club in Massachusetts, and for over a year the only one in the field. Its first match-game was in the summer of 1855, with the Elm Tree Club. In 1856, the Green Mountain Club was established in Boston, and, during the season several exciting match games were played on the Common, between them and the Olympics.
The sport has seen an explosion of interest and growth in and around Boston. Several new clubs have organized for the 1857 season. These include: Bay State, Tri-Mountain, Bunker Hill, American, Rough-and-Ready, Massapoag, Union, and Winthrop.
Official rules of the Massachusetts Game
1. The ball must weigh not less than two, nor more than two and three-quarter ounces, avoirdupois. It must measure not less than six and a half, nor more than eight and a half inches in circumference, and must be covered in leather.
2. The bat must be round and must not exceed two and a half inches in diameter in the thickest part. It must be made of wood, and may be any length to suite the striker.
3. Four bases or bounds shall constitute a round; the distance from each base ball shall be sixty feet.
4. The bases shall be wood stakes, projecting four feet from the ground.
5. The striker shall stand inside of a space of four feet in diameter, at equal distance between the first and fourth bases.
6. The thrower shall stand inside of a space of four feet in diameter, at equal distance between the first and fourth bases.
7. The catcher shall not enter within the space occupied by the striker, and must remain upon his feet in all cases while catching the ball.
8. The ball must be thrown, not pitched or tossed to the bat, on the side preferred by the striker, and within reach of his bat.
9. The ball must be caught flying in all cases.
10. Players must take their knocks in the order in which they are numbered ; and after the first inning is played, the turn will commence with the player succeeding the one who lost on the previous inning.
11. The ball being struck at three times and missed, and caught each time by a player on the opposite side, the striker shall be considered out.
12. Should the striker stand at the bat without striking at good balls thrown repeatedly at him, for the apparent purpose of delaying the game, or of giving advantage to players, the referees, after warning him, shall call one strike, and if he persists in such action, two and three strikes ; when three strikes are called, he shall be subject to the same rules as if he struck at three fair balls.
13. A player having possession of the first base, when the ball is struck by the succeeding player, must vacate the base, even at the risk of being put out; and when two players get on one base, either by accident or otherwise, the player who arrived last is entitled to the base.
14. If a player, while running the bases, be hit with the ball thrown by one of the opposite side, before he has touched the home bound, while off a base, he shall be considered out.
15. A player, after running the four bases, on making the home bound, shall be entitled to one run
16. In playing all match-games, when one is out, the side shall be considered out.
17. In playing all match-games, one hundred tallies shall constitute the game, the making of which by either Club, that Club shall be judged the winner.
18. Not less than ten nor more than fourteen players from each Club shall constitute a match in all games.
19. A person engaged on either side shall not withdraw during the progress of the match, unless he be disabled, or by the consent of the opposite party.
20. The referees shall be chosen as follows:—One from each club, who shall agree upon a third man from some Club belonging to this Association, if possible. Their decision shall be final, and binding upon both parties.
21. The tallymen shall be chosen in the same manner as the referees.
Opinion
Why the Massachusetts Game is superior to the New York version of base ball
In many ways, the Massachusetts game is the superior version of base ball, for both players and spectators. First the thrower may deliver the ball overhand to the striker. This challenges a player's skills as a batsman much more than the underhand tosses from the thrower in the New York game.
Because first base is so easy to reach (one has only to hit the ball and then run 30 feet without being "soaked"), the real action comes between the other bases. Smart fielding and relays of long hits turn seeming extra-base hits into astonishingly easy outs. Because the rules contain no provision that a runner must stay within the baselines, he might run into the outfield to elude a fielder attempting to plunk the ball between his ribs. A catch for an out had to be made on the fly, not on the first bound, as those New York sissies continue to permit.
Since there is no "foul" territory, a striker might turn 180 degrees as the pitch comes to him and whack the ball as far behind him as he might have hit it ahead.