From the magazine: Texas Highways – April 2008
Vintage Base Ball in Texas
…..For a group of history-loving fans, a new season for 1860-vintage “base ball” – as the game’s name was spelled during its 19th-Century origins-sounds just as sweet….something like this:
“Striker to the line!” yells the Blind Tom to begin the match. The first striker picks his favorite willow and saunters up to the dish. ….the behind stands a few feet back, wearing no glove, face mask, or chest protector. The striker outstretches his willow showing where he wants the apple delivered (customary in the mid 1860s – 1880s) by the bare-handed hurler. Several encouraging cranks yell to the players, “Show some ginger!”.
The hurler’s underhanded pitch arches toward the striker, then – SMACK! – a sky ball drifts over the outstretched bare hands of the rover and the midfielder. Ballists from the striker’s nine scream “Nicely struck!” and “Leg it!”.
The apple bounds to the edge of the grounds and the striker, in a baggy shirt and knickers, takes first, second, and third, then steps on the dish, to complete a four baser. “Permission to tally an ace?” the breathless ballist asks the talleykeeper, then rings the tally bell, scoring the ace. Huzzah!” roars the crowd.
…..the archaic jargon echoes the origins of the game - a more courteous amateur sport played by farmers, merchants, and soldiers for recreation and community pride.
Translation (if you missed any)
Striker – batter
Blind Tom – umpire
Match – game
Willow – bat
Dish – home plate
The Behind – catcher
Hurler – pitcher
Cranks – fans
Show some ginger – play it smart
Sky ball – high fly
Rover – short stop
Midfielder – center fielder
Ballist – players
Striker’s nine – team
Nicely struck – good hit
Leg it – run it out
Grounds – field
Four baser – home run
Tally an ace – run
Talleykeeper – scorekeeper
I’ve seen a few Blind Toms and some cranky Cranks as well as some ballist who fell to show some ginger.
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