The backstory: a short history of the game from its foundation until 1885
1885:
1. Angered players in the National League form the Brotherhood of Professional Base Ball Players. John Montgomery Ward, the star player from the New York Giants, is the founder of the secret brotherhood. This is the first union for professional base ball players.2. The American Association changes the third strike rule. A catcher must catch the third strike on the fly and not the bounce. The National League had played with the same rule since 1880.
1886:
1. Once again, a "walk" is awarded to a batter after receiving seven "balls."2. First base and Third Base are moved into fair territory.
3. The umpire can put a new ball into play at any time during the game, instead of waiting until the end of the inning to do so.
1887:
1. John Montgomery Ward and the Brotherhood of Professional Base Ball Players seek recognition as a collective bargaining agency. The club owners of the National League are furious. They refuse to meet the players demands over the reserve clause and salary caps. Ward convinces the union to form a rival league. Most American Association and National League players were members of the union.2. The National League and the American League become hitter friendly. Strikeouts occur after four strikes, and walks are awarded after five balls. Most importantly bases awarded on balls are recorded as hits.
3. The modern strike zone is adapted, replacing the old rule which allowed batters to ask for pitches above or below the belt. The practice of awarding first base to a hit batter begins.
1888:
1. Ernest L. Thayer, William Randolph Hearst's Harvard classmate and a writer for his San Francisco newpaper pens "Casey at the Bat" and it is performed live in New York City.2. Strike outs are once again made three strikes, and walks will not be tallied as official at bats. The batter is awarded a hit if the ball hits a base runner.
1889:
1. For the first time, a walk is awarded after four balls.2. The Brotherhood of Professional Base Ball Players form the Players' League on December 16.
1890:
1. With strong financial backing, the Brotherhood of Professional Base Ball Players, the Players' League and begins play. The Players' League boasts rosters of many former AA and NL stars, profit sharing for players, and long term contracts to remedy the reserve clause problem.2. Chicago White Stocking star refuses to join the Players' League.
3. The Boston Beaneaters pioneer the "Scientific Style" of play.
4. The sacrifice fly rule is changed. No longer will a sacrifice fly count as a time at bat. Also instituted at this time is a rule which prohibits batters from beliberaltely fouling off pitches. A batter can now be called out if he deliberately fouls off pitches.
1891:
1. After only one season of play the Players' League folds.2. The National League and the American Association go to war.
3. Ban Johnson, a Cincinnati sportswriter, founds the Western League. It attracts many disgruntled players from the defunct Players' League who refuse to go back to the NL.
3. Substitution is allowed at any time as long as the team announces the switch. Before this rule the only time a substitution was allowed was for an injured player. Mike "King" Kelly, a star of the Boston team soon causes the rule to be rewritten after he leaps off the bench to catch a fly ball in foul territory. The new rule permits substitution as long as it is announced and the ball is dead.
1892:
1. The new National League opens for play. Owners take pride in their new creation, likening it to the great business "trusts" of the time. They look upon themselves as Vanderbilts, Rockerfellers, Carnegies, and Morgans.2. Despite the herculean self image created by the National League owners, their great "trust" has faltering attendance and reduced profits.
3. The Temple Cup championship begins its short life span 1892-1899.
4. The Boston Beaneaters win the NL pennant.
1893:
The "Slugging Style" of play begins as the result of the new pitcher distance of 60'6". This rule is still in use. Major League Baseball pitchers still stand a regulation 60'6" from the batter.
1894:
1. The "Brush Rules" are established. The National league, worried about the growing vice and moral problems with their players institutes a fine of $100 for vulgar, indecent, or improper language.2. The foul bunt is ruled a strike.
3. The Baltimore Orioles win the NL pennant.
1895:
1. The infield fly rule is established to stop infielders from letting pop-ups drop in order to create double plays.2. Catchers and First basemen are the only players allowed to wear an oversized mitt.
3. Foul tips will be counted as strikes.
4. Clubs are prohibited from paying their player's fines.
5. The Cleveland Spiders win the Temple Cup.
6. The Batimore Orioles win the NL pennant.
1896:
1. Only uniformed personnel will be allowed on the bench.2. The home team must provide twelve balls for each game.
3. The Baltimore Orioles win the NL pennant.
1897:
1. Errors will not be charged to players for failing to complete the double play.2. Catchers will not be assessed an error for making a wild throw trying to catch a base stealer unless the stealer takes one or more bases on the play.
3. The Boston Beaneaters win the NL pennant.
1898:
1. Owners set a $2,400 salary cap angering players.2. The base ball season is extended to 150 games.
1899:
1. The Syndicate ownership system fails.2. The current balk rule is established.
3. Under the leadership of Ned Hanlon, former Baltimore Oriole manager, the Brooklyn Superbas (later the Dodgers) win the NL pennant.
1900:
1. The National League returns to an eight team format dropping the Washington, Louisville, Baltimore, and Cleveland clubs.2. Chicago White Stockings star, Cap Anson, and the editor of Sporting Life, Francis Richter, attempt to revive the old American Association and make it into a major league. Ban Johnson, a Cincinnati sportswriter and Western League president, founded the American League.
3. The shape and size of home plate is altered. The once 12" wide diamond shaped plate is changed to a pentagon. The change makes it easier for the umpires to call balls and strikes.
Timeline and related articles researched and written by:
David R. Haus Jr.
Bowling Green State University