Clipping:Pitching unfair balls
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| Date | Wednesday, September 9, 1863 |
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| Text | [Atlantic vs. Eckford 6/8/1863] The first innings had occupied just one hour in playing, extreme caution being manifested by both parties in regard to selecting balls to hit at. Both the pitchers interpreted the rule of the game, requiring them to pitch “for the striker,” to mean “at the striker,” at least one should judge so, from their style of pitching, for both apparently trying to see how near they could pitch to the batsmen without hitting them. Now this style of thing may be all very well as regards “playing the points” on the game, but it in either fair pitching nor according to the rules of the game. We trust to see the time when the object of the pitcher will be, not to send in the most unfair balls he can, but such ones as will admit of plenty of employment for the outfielders by giving them frequent opportunities to display their skill. The chance that was afforded Crane [cf], in the 2d innings, and the skill and judgment he displayed in making the fine catch he then did, from Snyder's bat, was worth far more, as an attractive feature of the game, than half-a-dozen catches from high balls hopped up nearly even the pitcher's head, or from tips from foul ball, both of which result mainly from the style of pitching now in vogue. Lively fielding is the beauty of base ball, and the only feature of the game that makes it more attractive than cricket, and the moment anything is done to deprive it of this special attraction, as swift pitching does, that very moment it will cease to be the popular game it otherwise will ever be. |
| Source | Brooklyn Eagle |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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