The world is changing and so does baseball. But it wasn’t always played as we know it today as baseball rules have undergone some changes over the time.
For instance, batters had the right to request a pitch from 1867 to 1887. Better could request a high (from belt to the shoulder) or low (from the knee to the belt) pitch. And the pitcher had to obey. Thus, it could be observed high effectiveness during games.
Fly balls and foul balls have changed over time as well. Until 1864 fly balls caught after the ball rebound from the ground. And foul balls were served in the same way until 1883. This may seem strange to baseball fans today, but bounce rule was necessary for baseball players. It allowed them to prevent injures while they were trying to catch the ball with their bare hands. Subsequently, the rules became tougher, and catching the ball with a rebound from the ground turned just into a child's game.
Fly balls, however, till 1883 were performed underhand (like a throw in a bowling game). Tommy Bond was among pitchers, who started to throw the ball in a regular way, which allowed to increase speed and improve movement in general.
Being concerned about the lack of scoring, the owner of one of baseball club’s proposed to allow bats to be flat. His suggestion was adopted in 1885, along with changing of the pitcher’s base placement. Number of runs began to increase! But in 1893 bat regained its previous form. It was made due to the frequent breakdowns which require financial costs.
Walk = Hit. During 1887 playing season, situation when there were four balls with the better's transfer to the first base, was counted as an at-bat. Except the statistics, this rule affected anything.
Until 1920 pitchers use everything they could imagine to make the ball fly in unpredictable ways. Thus they spit on it, use mug and soap and called such balls spitballs. Gradually, there was a ban on the spitballs and the last of them was illegally brought to the field in 1934.
Home-run has also its own historical formation. In the 19th century there was no concept of the out of the field ball. It was necessary to return the ball to the base. Historians even give an example when, after a throw, the ball flew over the fence of the field and fell into the river. Outfielder rushed after it, got into the boat and began to catch up with the ball! And then, even when the ball bounced off the ground and flew out of the fence (modern ground-rud-double) it was considered as a home run.
And in conclusion a few words about umpires. It was truly outstanding to be an umpire at that time! Usually they were chosen among the most authoritative and respectable residents of the city. During the game, umpires were given comfortable chairs and received tasty food with the largest glass of beer. They were even provided with fans on hot days!
