Speaker
There will be no cussing, no spitting, no smoking,
no million-dollar contracts and no sissy padded
gloves in San Jose's newest baseball league.
Poor sportsmanship won't be allowed, and the
league will play according to the rules established
in the Spalding Guide of 1886. The game is
essentially the same as the modern version, but there are a number of differences between the way the San Francisco Giants play today, and the way the game was played before the turn of the 20th Century. One major difference is in balls and strikes, with the pitch count consisting of seven balls and three strikes, and foul balls are not counted.
What has drawn those who are actively playing in vintage base ball leagues, is more than just the old-fashioned rules and uniforms they wear, including v-neck shirts and knickers. For them it's a departure from the showmanship found strutting around the bases today. It goes back to being a gentleman's game. The number one thing they look for in a recruit is not if he can play baseball; but whether he's a gentleman. A lot of players are going this route because they're tired of the behavior in recreational softball; especially tired of the competitiveness and the bickering. The biggest difference, some say, is there was more honor back then. There was zero tolerance for talking back and swearing during a game.
BVBB is the first of its kind in California but getting leagues started in the East Bay, San Francisco and the Morgan Hill/Gilroy areas are a high priority. In this league players will not be using modern-day protective gear and the fielders' gloves are about the size of a leather gardening glove, they also have no webbing. Such anachronistic gear is part of the appeal of the league for today's speaker, (pictured above) Cupertino dentist and long-time little league coach, Dave Thompson. "I'm interested in the roots of baseball and liked the idea of an old-fashioned league with wooden bats," he says. In addition, Dave also appreciates one big change from the old rules. "Blacks weren't able to participate back then, I'm glad I have a chance to do so now."
Manufacturing the old-time equipment and uniforms is a growing industry, with one company in Hartford, CT devoted solely to the business. But, while today's professionals get a new ball with just about every third pitch, the vintage game is sticking to the original procedures. If the ball went into the stands, the people would have to throw it back into the field. Basically each team would bring one ball, and the winner would go home with of them. The balls take a beating by the 50-ounce bats the BAVBB league uses compared to the average 30-ounce bat of today.
So far the team scrimmages against each other, though there is talk of teams from the East Coast making a visit.
Joker - Joker
Today's prize of $10 went to Dave McMullen.
Have You Heard The One About.......???
Doofus, who has never seen a baseball game in his life goes to his first one with his friend, Rufus. When the game starts, he sees the first player up hit the ball and run to 1st base. The next guy up hits the ball and runs to 1st while the other player runs to 2nd. The 3rd batter doesn't hit any of the pitches but starts walking toward the base.
Confused at this, Doofus gets up and yells, "Run, run, run!!"
Rufus calms him down and tells him, "He's walking because he has 4 balls."
Hearing this, Doofus jumps up and shouts,"WALK WITH PRIDE, MAN!! WALK WITH PRIDE!!!!!"
