GC34J2Z Vintage Base Ball - The Field and Equipment (Traditional Cache) in Michigan, United States created by bigcatcog

GC34J2Z ▼

A cache by bigcatcog Message this owner

Hidden : 11/23/2011

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Container is a camouflaged PB jar hidden in Manhattan Park.
Park is open from 7 AM to 10 PM.

In the early years of the game, equipment standards were pretty loose and fields were primitive.

BATS
Many common items were used for bats...table legs, axe handles and hand made 'traditional' bats. The bat soon was regulated to be round, of wood, and not to exceed 2 1/2 inches diameter. Any length and weight were allowed.

BALL
The ball must be composed of India rubber and yarn, covered with leather, the proper weight being 5 3/4 ounces, and its circumference 9 3/4 inches.

GLOVES ---- NONE

FIELD
In the early days, fields were exactly that -- fields. They were not prepared as we know them today (although, remarkably, the dimensions of the bases has always been 90 feet). Often, the field was uneven and had obstacles such as trees, bushes, barns, etc.

BASES
Bases were actually bags filled with soil, folded closed and placed at the corners of a square with 90 foot sides. Home plate was a circular steel plate (sometimes wood). The hurler would pitch from behind a line 45 feet from the plate.