Inside The Game Of 1880’s Vintage Base Ball
Rules, Customs, Equipment, Strategy
Rule #1: There is no such thing as a routine play.
Players and fans will quickly learn that there is no such thing as a routine play in vintage baseball. It is a wonderful mix of routine plays gone awry, and difficult plays executed perfectly. This element of the game is the result of using baseball’s early small full finger un-webbed gloves. Every play can be an adventure.
HOME TEAM
Determined by a coin flip by umpire at home plate between each club captain just prior to start of game.
UMPIRE
One umpire, usually positioned 10‘-15’ off center and behind home plate, depending on whether a lefty or righty batter. Umpire may smoke a cigar while calling the game.
UMPIRE ADDRESSED AS “SIR“:
There is absolutely no animated contesting of calls, arguing or quarreling with umpire. Any slight disagreement can result in immediate ejection from game. Umpire is always addressed as “Sir” by the players.
GENTLEMAN’S RULE:
In the event an umpire has missed a play, he can request a “Gentleman’s Ruling”. Players involved in play will truthfully sy what transpired and call can be reversed. Also, if umpire misses a rules interpretation, a Captain can request a meeting with umpire (both Captains must be in meeting) and call can be reversed.
HOMEPLATE:
Home plate is 12”x12”x½” wood base that rests loose on ground. It is angled with point toward pitchers box.
BASES:
Bases are loose at each location. Sand, sawdust or hay filled.
PITCHERS BOX:
There is no pitchers mound or pitching rubber. It is a pitchers box that measures 4’ wide x 6’ deep and is outlined in chalk. Front line of box is 50’ from home plate. Pitcher must start and land inside of box on each pitch. Umpire can call no pitch if violation occurs. If violation occurs twice in same at-bat, batter is awarded first base.
BASE COACH:
One base coach only. Must be either Captain or Assistant Captain (named before game). This will lead to base coaching strategies during a game that can impact a play. Example: If base coach is on-deck, batting or on base, there will be situations of no base coach available, therefore, advancing runners must use instinct on bases. Base coach will routinely shift from first base to third base depending on situation of where runner may need most help on next play.
BALKS:
No balk rule to first base. Fake throws and quick pitch is common with runner on first. Pitcher may stand in box, fake two or three throws to first and then quick pitch to plate.
TIMEOUTS:
Can only be called by club Captain. If batter steps out of box, he can be quick-pitched.
CATCHER/PITCHER - Shotgun Position & Pitching Speed:
Catchers gear includes glove, mask and chest protector -- no shin guards. Catchers mitt is by era design and does not resemble today’s modern round mitt but is larger and more padded than fielder gloves. Five finger mitt with no webbing. Catcher may also wear a half-finger glove on throwing hand. Pitching speed is determined by catcher’s “pain threshold” and typically is 70+ MPH with breaking balls and spit balls allowed. To enable pitchers to throw harder, some catchers will move to “shotgun” position with no runners on base -- catcher will stand 20’-30’ behind home plate which allows pitcher to throw his hardest as catcher takes pitch on a bounce.
HIP! HIP! HUZZAH! - ball club gentlemanly cheer
At the end of game, each club will salute the other with a short thank you speech presented by Captain that is followed with team cheer with caps held high of HIP, HIP HUZZAH!
FOUL BALLS (No Strike) & HIT BATSMAN (No Base Awarded):
Foul balls are not counted as strikes and hit batsman is a deadball (counted as a ball) with no base awarded.
BALLS & STRIKES:
7 Balls = Walk. 3 Strikes = Out.
QUICK PITCH:
Since time-outs can only be called by each club Captain, pitchers can throw a pitch as soon as it is returned to the mound. Batters may sometimes revert to modern baseball tendencies between pitches and step out of box momentarily or make adjustments as pitcher is receiving ball, allowing pitcher opportunity to “quick pitch” a strike. Another trick play will involve 2-3 throws to first with runner there. This can lull batter into stepping away from plate or relaxing. When first baseman returns throw to pitcher, pitcher will catch ball, spin and immediately throw pitch to home plate, catching the batter off guard.
NO INFIELD FLY RULE:
This can lead to trick plays by infielders to remove faster runner in place of slower batter and can also induce double plays.
DROPPED THIRD STRIKES:
Dropped third strike (swinging or called) by catcher is a live ball and in force situations, runners must advance. If catcher tags batter, force is removed.
FOUL TIP OUT:
Any foul tip caught by catcher is an out, regardless of count. This will happen once or twice a game.
NO CHECK SWING:
Any shoulder movement on a pitch can be called a strike. Umpire judgment call. A slight intent to swing can be called a strike.
BATTING ETIQUETTE: Strike Zone
Umpire will announce “Strike to the line!”. Batter steps toward home plate and umpire will ask batter for his “desired strike preference.” Batter can call for low strike (belt to knee) or high strike (belt to underarms). Umpire will then announce to pitcher “Striker has requested Low (or High) strikes.” Throughout the entire AB, only low or high strikes will be called against the batter.
FOUL BALLS:
Foul balls into stands must be returned and put back into play. Baseballs are not changed, only if lost or defective, will another new ball enter the game.
HIDDEN BALL TRICK:
Popular defensive play. Since there is no rule requiring pitcher to have ball in hand while on mound, and no time outs between plays, there are many creative opportunities to attempt this play.
EQUIPMENT & ETIQUETTE :
Games are played with 19th century replica equipment including uniforms, baseballs, bats and gloves. Not permitted in vintage base ball includes batting helmets, batting gloves, sunglasses, uniform numbers/names, shoe logos, exterior protective gear (other than catcher). No high fives/low fives, etc., taunting of opposing players, turned caps. Permitted is handshakes, applauding opposing player on a nice play.
VINTAGE BASE BALL
The Way The Game Was Meant To Be Played
WHAT IS VINTAGE BASE BALL?
Vintage Base Ball (yes, two words) is a new and growing national sport that features amateur clubs adhering to the rules, uniform styles, equipment, customs and competitive gentlemanly play of the 19th century game. Most common eras played by clubs include specific years within 1860s, 1870s and 1880s. The game is a combination of baseball living history, theatre and competitive play. Current age demographics of players range from late 20’s through mid-40s. Playing vintage baseball is likened to coming full circle with the game -- Little League, high school, college, amateur baseball/softball and now, back to its roots with vintage base ball.
HOW MANY CLUBS PLAY VINTAGE BASE BALL? WHERE? HOW OFTEN?
Since the inception of the Vintage Base Ball Association (VBBA) in 1995 (12 charter member clubs), the sport has grown to nearly 170 clubs representing 25 states. The States most populated with clubs include New York, Ohio and Colorado averaging 15-20 teams each. Most clubs play a 10-15 game summer schedule with some playing as many as 25-50 games. Barnstorming to vintage base ball tournaments, neighboring or distant states is also popular. Many games attract hundreds and even thousands of spectators and with many clubs having loyal hometown followings.
VINTAGE CLUB HISTORY:
The majority of vintage base ball clubs have adopted the name and uniform style of an actual professional or amateur club that once existed in their hometown, community or county. Teams will research their local baseball history at a library or historical society usually uncovering the town’s earliest baseball club history and legacy.
1880s VINTAGE BASEBALL:
By the early 1880s, pitching had evolved to overhand fast and catchers equipment was soon introduced including mask, chest protector and gloves on each hand for the catcher, usually a “half-finger” glove on throwing hand and full-finger un-webbed glove on catching hand. By the mid-1880’s, full-finger un-webbed gloves soon became popular among all fielders. Assorted rules oddities remained. Some 1880s clubs play without any gloves other than the catcher.
ERA BASEBALL TERMS AND VERNACULAR:
Vintage ball players typically incorporate era jargon into their on-field chatter including:
“cranks” = fans
“hands down” = out
“hurler” = pitcher
“striker” = batter
“captain” = manager
“ace” = run
“leg it” = running hard
“sky ball” = pop up
“muff” = error
“ginger” = determination
“striker to the line” = batter up
“ballist” = ballplayer
“whitewash” = shutout
“garden” = outfield
“daisy cutter” = hit grounder
“behind” = catcher