Players Handbook

© BAVBB 2010

1

Introduction

Welcome to Bay Area Vintage Base Ball. This league is dedicated to preserving the style of

play that was in effect between 1880-1890. We play the game the way it was before $50M

contracts, shoe sponsorships, and 25 man rosters. Ours is a competitive, yet fun league

where experiencing the game of base ball in it's purest form can be enjoyed by all.

BAVBB plays 12-15 games a season in a fun, relaxed atmosphere where true grit is displayed and sportsmanship is the holy grail. Each club is outfitted in reproduction uniforms from the 1880’s, and the equipment consists of balls, gloves, bases etc that are made to look, feel, and perform as they did when the game was still home-grown. Can you handle a 45 ounce bat? 1886 Rules? Come back in time and play the game of “base ball” as it was meant to be played.

"The country is Base Ball crazy, and it is a pleasant form of dementia." 1898 editorial

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League Rules of Play

The following rules are used by this league and are not meant to reflect the entire rule book

as described in the Spalding's Base Ball Guide of 1886. Our leagues rules are

summarized below. Local rules which have been adapted for our use are marked with an

asterisk * . For a complete review of the rules as written, please either purchase the book

online or look for the link on our website at www.BAVBB.com

Hitting

• COUNT: 7 Balls and 3 Strikes

• HIGH OR LOW BALLS: The Umpire will call for the “Striker to the line”, the Striker

(known as the batsman in these rules) will immediately step to Home Base and express his

desired strike zone preference. The Batsman can call for a low ball (belt to knee) or high

ball (belt to shoulders) or both. The Umpire will then announce to the Hurler (known as

the pitcher in these rules) to deliver the ball as required. Throughout the entire at bat, only

low or high strikes will be called. If a Batsman does not make a request, both high and low

strikes will be called. Note: The belt area is a strike for either zone.

• NO TIMEOUTS: Only a Club Captain can ask the Umpire to call for a timeout. A

Batsman who steps out of the box can be quick-pitched and a runner can be picked off at

any time unless time has been called. When a player needs or asks for an injury timeout

and completes the inning on the bench, he must come out for the remainder of the game.

• FOUL HIT: (Known to many as a Foul Ball today) is not counted as a strike. When a ball

is deemed a Foul Hit and not legally caught, the ball is dead until delivered to the pitcher

who is at his position in the pitcher's box. Any foul tip caught by the catcher is an out

regardless of the number of strikes.

• FOUL STRIKE: A ball hit by the batsman while not in the batter's box results in an out.

• HIT BATSMAN: Counted as a ball and no base is awarded. The play is a dead ball and

no base runners may advance. If the Umpire feels the Batsman is leaning into the strike

zone he may call interference and call a strike. A Pitcher who is deemed to be intentionally

throwing at a Batsman will be fined $5 and subject to ejection for further offenses.

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Base Running

• BASE COACH: Only one base coach is permitted at any time. A coach may move from

the first base box to the third base box depending on the situation.

• HUSSLE: A Base Runner shall be allowed to return to his bag without the threat of being

put out, in the case of a foul hit not legally caught, provided he do so on the run.

• BLOCK: A batted or thrown ball handled by any person not involved in the game. Base

Runners may run freely without the ability to be put out, until the ball is returned to the

pitcher and held by him standing in his position. This rule does not apply if said person

kicks or throws the ball beyond the reach of the fielder.

Pitching

• PITCHER’S BOX: There is no mound or rubber. Pitchers throw from a box that

measures 4’ wide x 7’ deep and is outlined in chalk. The front line of the box is 50’ from the

center of Home Base.

• PITCHER’S MOTION: The pitcher must begin and end inside of the box on each pitch.

Failure to do so results in a Balk.

***(local rule) Only one-step is allowed and any leg kicks should not go above the knee.

The Umpire can call a no-pitch violation. If violation occurs twice in same at-bat, Batsman

is awarded first base. This rule was created to avoid the wind-up and other modern forms

of pitching mechanics.

• NO INTENTIONAL WALK: Pitcher must pitch around the Batsman.

• BALK: No balks on throws to any base unless the pitcher starts his motion home. Fake

throws to any base while in or out of the pitchers box are allowed. A balk only occurs when

a pitcher starts his delivery home but does not complete his throw to Home Base. Any

Base Runner is awarded 1 base.

• QUICK PITCH: During the Batsman’s entire time at bat, a pitcher can deliver the ball to

him at any time unless the Umpire has called a Dead Ball.

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• HIDDEN BALL TRICK: There is no rule requiring the pitcher to have the ball in his

hand while he’s in the pitchers box. However he cannot start a pitch to the Batsman

without the ball or a balk will be awarded to any base runners.

Fielding

• NO INFIELD FLY RULE: A fielder may intentionally allow a batted ball to drop

untouched to the ground to start a double play.

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The Field

• BASES: Bases are 15" square bags filled with a loose material such as sawdust that are

securely fastened at each location.

***(local rule) Bases need not be attached.

• HOME BASE: It shall be a 12” square white rubber or white stone base affixed securely

to and flush with the ground. A corner point facing the pitcher’s box such that two sides

form the lines of 1st and 3rd bases.

***(local rule) A modern Home Base is used.

• SUBSTITUTION: 9 Innings played. Each club will start and finish with 9 players.

***(local rule) Games are 7 innings. More than 9 players may be used. A player may not

bat unless they were in the field the previous inning. A team may play with 8 players. If

subs are used, no more than 10 players total for the game. A player pulled due to injury

cannot re-enter the game.

1887

The Polo Grounds

New York

(Notice fans standing

in the outfield)

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The Umpire

There is one Umpire only and he is to be given unquestionable respect and full authority.

He is to be addressed as "Sir". Positioned 15’ behind and at a 45-degree angle to the

Batsman, the Umpire will move from side to side depending on whether the Batsman bats

to the left or right. Calls are made in a raised voice so that players of both sides can hear.

The Umpire must wear period dress and may smoke a cigar. (Common Umpires for town

games were clergy and undertakers as these were the only men who were trusted in the

eyes of God.)

• FINAL SAY: The role of the umpire is to keep continuous play of the game from start to

finish. The only such stoppage in play should be during injury to himself, a player, or in

the event of rain, etc. He shall not reverse his decision on any point of play based on the

opinion of any player or bystander.

***(local rule) Gentlemen's Ruling: In the event the Umpire has “missed” a play, due only

to a blocked view, a Captain can request a “Gentleman’s Ruling” to reverse the call. The

Umpire will then announce, “A Gentleman’s Ruling has been requested.” Only players

involved in the play may truthfully relate what transpired and a call may be reversed by the

Umpire.

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Players Code of Conduct

CODE OF CONDUCT: Sportsmanship is paramount in vintage base ball. Arguing with

the Umpire, charging the pitcher, taunting, and fighting are not tolerated. Players

earning a reputation as unruly or unsportsman-like will be banned from the

league.

GENTLEMANLY PLAY: Respect must be shown for the game. There is no berating of

the Umpire, the fans, or the opposing club. The team at bat may not yell or attempt to

distract the fielder or pitcher during live play. Celebrations are limited to handshakes. No

posing at Home Base, curtain calling, chest bumping, or high fives!

NOT ALLOWED: There is to be no betting, cussing, spitting, or use of alcoholic

beverages during any game. Such infractions, especially in the presence of a lady, will

result in a $5 fine. Sitting among the spectators may also result in immediate ejection.

Period Authenticity

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT PERMITTED: Exterior protective gear,

including: batting gloves, helmets, wrist bands, elbow pads, shin guards, etc. No uniform

numbers, player names, sponsor logos, backward caps, or jewelry. If, due to injury, you

need to wear some type of brace or protection it must not be visible. Contact the League

President for further clarification.

CATCHER'S GEAR: Includes glove, mask and chest protector but no shin guards. As a

substitute for shin guards, catcher may wear soccer shin guards under uniform socks.

Catcher may also wear a half-finger glove on throwing hand as was the custom.

PLAYER NICKNAMES: Nicknames were an important part of 19th century base ball. All

players in BAVBB should have nicknames. Players may not give themselves nicknames.

They should be earned and bestowed on by their teammates. Current nicknames include:

Bones, Slick, Hatchet, Danger, Banjo, Squeaky, Mule, etc

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Authorized Equipment

In preparing for play, it should be noted that there are several suppliers of vintage

equipment. Many of them make fine products but they are not correct for our time period.

Only the products below may be used in BAVBB.

1. K & P Weaver

http://www.baseballamericaspastime.com/

e-mail: kp19thbb@aol.com

• Uniforms

• 1881 Fingerless Glove

• 1890 Full Finger Glove

2. Vintage Base Ball Factory

http://www.vbbf.com/gloves.html

e-mail: gmmarketing@comcast.net

Ph: 1-800-730-8119

• Foxy Irwin Original (suggest XL)

• Foxy Irwin II (suggest XL) (Although not to spec, it can be used if the

web is cut out. (Gloves back then had no web)

• 1870-1880's Base Ball (The only base ball we use)

3. Bulldog Bats

http://www.bulldogbatsonline.com/

e-mail: info@bulldogbatsonline.com

• BAV-S : Standard knob. 35", 40 oz., a 2.42” barrel and 1.25” handle.

• BAV-T : Tapered knob. 35", 43 oz., a 2.42” barrel and 1.25” handle.

It is suggested that you consult with your manager or League President to verify you are

using properly approved equipment. Modifications to bats are not permitted and cannot

be used in league play. The umpire may inspect equipment at any time.

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Vintage Base Ball Terms

Aces = Runs

Baller, Ballist = Player

Behind = Catcher

Blind, Blinder = No score

Hurler =Pitcher

Bound =Bounce

Bounder = A bouncing ball that doesn’t go out of the infield

Capital = The best, first rate. A spectacular catch is a “Capital Play!”

Captain = Manager

Cranks = Baseball fans

Daisy Cutter = A sharply hit ground ball

Garden = Outfield

Ginger = Determination, quick fierce play

Hand = An out. "Three hands down" ends an inning

Match, match game = A game between two clubs, as opposed to intra-club games.

Muff = A muffed ball is a missed catch or grounder.

Muffin = A muffin is a less talented player on a club. Also call a “scrub.”

Picked Nine = An early type of all-star team. The best local players picked to play

a specific club passing through the area.

Safety = A safe hit.

Sky ball = Pop up

Short Field = An early name for the shortstop.

Striker = Batter

"Striker To The Line" = Batter Up

Tally: To score a run; score.

You may hear phrases during the game such as:

“Nice ginger!”

Let’s get a “daisy cutter.”

"We’ve got two hands down.”

Sounds like “the cranks” are restless.

"Ducks on the Pond for ya"

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Base Ball History

A great many books have been written on the subject. The league whole-

heartedly supports individual research into not only baseball from our era,

but from the early 1840's to the early 1930's. You should have a basic

understanding of how the game came about and what makes 1880's base ball

special. America's love of the game grew at the same pace as the game itself.

From back lot games among friends to organized leagues nationwide, base

ball has become "America's Game". In the following pages, we will attempt to

give you a 10,000 foot view of the game in it's early years. Further discovery

on your part is highly encouraged.

1839: Abner Doubleday is known the world over as the inventor of base ball ("Base ball"

was two words back then). However most scholars have found that to be a myth. In fact,

in 1839 when he was supposed to be in Cooperstown, NY "inventing" base ball, he was

actually attending West Point, and there was no proof that he even visited Cooperstown,

nor did he seem to have more than a passing fancy for the game. This tale has everything

to do with politics in the early 1900's and was made up to help push the notion that Base

Ball was an All-American sport and not a derivative of any other game such as the British

game of rounders, goal ball, stool ball, and others . Many forms of "base and ball" games

have been around for hundreds of years, especially in the formative years of America.

Town ball in the 1830's may have been a pre-cursor to base ball but did not resemble

today's game. Organized play was needed.

1840's: Organized leagues playing with standardized rules, schedules, and record-keeping

begins with Alexander Joy Cartwright. In these formative years, Cartwright and his friends

played a casual game. No uniforms, rules, or formal matches. On September 23rd, 1845

however, Cartwright and his associates took the first step toward formal organization by

creating the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club. Most of the 40+ members were white, middle-

to-upper class professionals from the financial district. Cartwright established 20 rules of

base ball which would make it instantly recognizable to today's game except that the

winner was the first to score 21 runs, a fly ball caught on a bounce was an out and pitching

was underhand.

"Abner Doubleday didn't invent baseball; baseball invented Abner Doubleday."

-Harold Peterson, date unknown

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1846-1868-The game changed more in 22 years than it has ever done since. It changed

from a casual game to one with organized teams playing in front of paying crowds. In the

1850's, teams called the Atlantics, Excelsiors, Eckfords, Gothams, and Empires joined the

Knickerbockers as established "amateur" teams. Soon teams formed all across the country

with hot spots like New York, Boston, Detroit, Washington & Chicago. In 1857, 16

ballclubs from the vicinity of Brooklyn and New York held a convention and with slight

changes to Cartwright's rules, formed the National Asociation of Base Ball Players. In

1858, now with 26 teams, the "Association" held a best-out-of-three all-star game, playing

to over 3 thousand spectators who paid 50 cents to attend.

The Professional Game: It soon became apparent that to stay competitive, it may be

necessary to "recruit" (or steal) players from other teams. These "amateurs" may not be

paid, however room and board was free, and many were given simple jobs which didn't

necessarily require them to show up to receive a pay check…

Shortly after the end of the Civil War in the 1860's, Base Ball was already "America's

National Game". The New York Atlantics went 19-0 in 1864. The scores of the games

started to drop. Rule changes and statistics show that pitchers were illegally using a side-

arm delivery instead of underhand. 1865 was the year of the first major game-fixing

scandal. The Mutuals handed the Eckfords 11 runs in one inning, in a game filled with

laughable errors. Later that year, 20,000 fans saw the Atlantics beat the New York

Mutuals 13-12.

In 1866, 202 teams attended the National Association's convention. Another "world

series" was created featuring the Atlantics and newcomer Philadelphia. 8,000 tickets were

quickly sold for 25 cents each, and at game time were being scalped for as much as $5.

(Equal to several hundred dollars a tickets in today's money.) Drinking and betting was

rampant as the crowd overflowed onto the field and the game was cancelled!

1869 Red Stockings: A pivotal year in base ball. The previous year, Aaron Champion, a

Cincinnati businessman figured a club would be good for the city and began assembling the

best team money could buy. The Cincinnati Red Stockings only had one player from

Cincinnati, however the team resembled one of the best all star teams ever formed to date.

In 1869, the "Reds" traveled over 11,000 miles across the country taking on all comers,

played before 200,000 fans, and finished the season 57-0. The following year they won

their first 22 games before a single defeat! The Reds had taken the country by storm.

Their star player George Wright, made the unbelievable sum of $1600 per year, while the

utility infielders made $600.

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1871: The battle between amateur teams and professional came to a head and thus the

National Association of Professional Base Ball players was formed. This was the first

league to resemble modern times, with a strong central league President and other officers,

as well as a clear way to determine a winner: A league Championship Series, for the first

time called "the Pennant".

Also in 1871, Harry Wright was hired to manage the Boston Red Stockings. He went about

signing the nucleus of the great old Cincinnati team. He also added a young pitcher from

Rockford named Al Spalding, winning 4 out of the next 5 championships. Spalding had a

blistering fastball (said to knock catcher's off their feet) and a great change-up. He

compiled a record of 207-56 in five years. In 1875 he opened the season with 20 straight

wins, a tie, and then 4 more wins to go 24-0-1. The Red Sox ended the season 71-8 to

finish 19 games ahead of Philadelphia. Within 5 years however due to corruption and poor

management, the National Association was forced to fold.

1876: The first modern league was formed, the National League. It was a tightly

controlled monopoly where owners had all of the power and players were something to be

bought and sold (sound familiar?). Competition was limited and as more and more teams

were excluded, a new league was formed to compete. In 1882 the American Association

was created to compete with the National League. Beer was allowed to be sold at their

games and tickets were half the price of the National League. After undercutting prices

and raiding players, a truce was called and in the 1883 National Agreement, they scheduled

the first annual World Series between the two leagues.

Advances: During this time basestealing became a more important part of the game. In

the late 1870's players began using catcher's equipment and primitive gloves. The gear

allowed catcher's to come right up behind home plate and from there the days of the

common 35-26 scores were over; teams in the early 1880's averaged about six runs per side

per game. Most drastic was the pitching. In 1881 pitchers were allowed to throw side arm

and in the 1884 season, to throw overhand.

Through the early 1880's, the number of strikes and balls changed back and forth, ranging

from 8 balls for a walk in 1880 to the present 4 in 1889, and at one point offering 4 strikes

as part of the 1887 season before it was rolled back to 3 a few months later. Also that year,

batters were no longer allowed to call their own strike zone. As pitchers threw more

pitches, the era of one pitcher in a game was fewer and fewer. Teams began to carry one or

more "change", or backup pitchers. To equalize the game, the pitching distance was moved

from 45 feet to 50 feet where it stayed until it was moved to the current 60 feet 6 inches in

1893.

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1885: The National League and American Association was back down to 16 teams and two

manageable leagues.

1886: The 7 game World Series drew an impressive 43,000 fans.

Local Teams

Much is said about base ball on the East Coast, but base ball was indeed active in California

as far back as the early 1850's. San Francisco was the largest population center west of St.

Louis, Missouri and with the Gold Rush of 1848, thousands came West to make their

fortune with many of them settling in San Francisco which had a growing financial and

mercantile center. Among the early residents was a group of cricket players who formed

the city's first base ball team in 1859. Called the San Francisco's, they challenged all "club

of nines" to compete in a match game. A group playing as the Red Rovers accepted. Using

a ball made of woolen yarn from a sock and rubber from a pair of overshoes, the two teams

battled to a 33-33 tie over nine innings. The following month the San Francisco's would be

renamed the Eagle Base Ball and Cricket Club and would play other teams such as the

powerful Sacramento Base Ball Club. In a best of three series in September, the Eagles

won the first game 36 to 32, and led 31-17 when darkness fell, disappointing a crowd of

nearly 2,000.

1860's-Insulated from the Civil War somewhat, clubs sprang up across Northern

California in the early 1860's. In 1867, 25 clubs attended the Pacific Base Ball Convention

including those from San Francisco, Oakland, Santa Clara & San Jose. However the game

was hindered by a hard work schedule and Sunday "blue laws" prohibiting play on Sundays

until the mid-1870's.

In 1868, California's first enclosed base ball grounds were built in the southern part of San

Francisco near Portrero Hill. Although it was some distance from downtown, 3,000-4,000

fans showed up for the inaugural game on Thanksgiving Day at the ballpark, called the

Recreation Grounds. In a three hour and seventeen minute game the Eagles defeated the

cross-bay rival Wide Awakes of Oakland, 37 to 22.

1869-Four months after the transcontinental railway connected the coasts, the Cincinnati

Red Stockings, with their perfect records, came to San Francisco. They arrived in

Sacramento on September 22nd and then the next day took a 60 mile steamer ship down

the Sacramento River to San Francisco Bay.

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In the first game against San Francisco's finest, the Red Stockings scored 12 runs in the

first inning and defeated the Eagles 35 to 4. Cincinnati's 38 hits included 3 home runs by

George Wright alone. The Eagles had 8 hits. In the second game the next day, Cincinnati

won again, 58 to 4. Against other amateur teams in the Bay Area, it was the same story.

Red Stockings 66

Pacifics 4

(Game 2)

Red Stockings 54

Pacifics 5

Red Stocking 76

Pacifics 5 (called after 5 innings)

On Saturday, the local teams formed an All Star team of the best players and went up

against the Red Stockings, and this time they …. Only lost 46 to 14 in front of 2,000 fans.

1878-Finally the state's first base ball league was formed, the Pacific Base Ball League. It

was composed of the Eagles, Renos, Californias, and Athletics. Games were now played on

both Saturady and Sunday, and semi-pro teams played for gate receipts. Seeing the

success of the league, in 1879 The California League. The new league was forced to play in

Oakland as the Pacific League claimed territorial rights. This was a huge financial

disadvantage because SanFrancisco's population was 234,000 to Oakland's 34,000.

Invasion-In the coming years, many east coast teams would come out to California's mild

climate to stay in shape. Some players decided to stay behind. One, Cal McVey, a former

Red Stockings star formed the Bay Cities Nine, but it folded one month into the season.

Interest had waned as a handful of clubs competed and games dragged on through the

summer. Both leagues could barely draw 500 fans and soon the Pacific League folded.

1882-The season ran it's course with the Californias, Nationals, Niantics, and Renos. The

biggest change came when a team was assembled by Haverly's California Theater. They

signed many of the best players in the area, winning each year from 1883-1886. The

The Eagles "seemed to have lost…before they came onto the field."

-The Chronicle, 1869

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Haverly's had a winning percentage of .862 and dominated all others. The San Francisco

teams would always have competitive teams, but they were matched by similar clubs in

Stocton, Sacramento and Oakland.

1886 was the true beginning of the California league as established teams and loyal fans

continued to show up to watch well-played games. Oakland tailors Jacob Greenhood and

James T. Moran started a club dubbed the G&M's. Their star player was 20-year old

George Van Haltren, the team's best hitter and best pitcher. The following year he was

signed by Pittsburgh and would play 17 more years before coming back to join the Pacific

Coast League where he managed and umpired.

Mike Finn, player-manager of the San Francisco Pioneers was a tough fellow who backed

up his play and his team with strong fists. He was also tough on his players. He wanted

his players to refrain from drinking alcohol or gambling during the season. When he

noticed two of his players drinking nickel beer at a saloon after a game, he fined them both

$25. He once told the San Jose Daily Mercury, "I choose my players with as much an eye

to their gentlemanly qualities as to their ability in the base ball line". Finn would later take

a team in San Jose, nicknamed the "Dukes" after Finn, and win two championships in

1891-92 before moving the team to Stocton for better gate receipts. It was said by

sportswriters as well as Stocton newspapers that Finn was the player in which "Casey At

The Bat" was written about. There were many teams in Northern California between 1880

and 1900. Most lasted a season or two. Some more, some less, but they all have a history

in which we build our league on today.

"Where one man will go East, ten will come out here..."

-Oakland Manager Col. Tom Robinson

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References, Links & Suggested Readings

Always On Sunday, The California Baseball League, 1886 to 1915, John E. Spalding

150 Years of Baseball, Publications Internaliional, 1989

Smithsonian Baseball, Inside The World's Finest Private Collections, Steven Wong, 2005

Spalding's Official Base Ball Guide, 1886, reprint Base Ball, America's National Game 1839-1915, re-print 1991, Originally released 1911 If I Never Get Back - A Novel , 1990, Darryl Brock (A fictionalized novel about a man who goes back in time to play for the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings. Highly recommended!)

Collection Finder: American Memory from the Library of Congress http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/finder.html (old Base Ball Cards and photos) Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers - 19th Century Base Ball Catcher's Equipment http://members.tripod.com/bb_catchers/catchers/19c_equip.htm Baseball-Reference.com http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/wardjo01.shtml Illustrated History Of Base Ball Cards, the 1800's http://www.cycleback.com/1800s/index.html .…. and many, many more.

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Bay Area Vintage Base Ball, Inc

Founded by Steve Gazay, President, Nov. 2005

Bay Area Vintage Base Ball is a non-profit 501(c4) corporation under the laws of California. Articles of incorporation as well as League bylaws are available through the Secretary of the State of California.