Strike Four

The Evolution of Baseball

Richard Hershberger - Foreword by John Thorn

Baseball began as a schoolyard game, brought to America by the colonists. It evolved rapidly over the second half of the nineteenth century, with innovations and rule changes continuing throughout the twentieth century and into the modern era. But why and how did these changes take place?

In Strike Four: The Evolution of Baseball, Richard Hershberger examines the national pastime’s development, from the reasoning behind new rules and innovations to the consequences of these changes—both intended and unintended—that often led to a new round of modifications. Topics examined include the dropped third strike, foul territory, nine innings, tagging up, balls and strikes, tie games, equipment, the infield fly rule, and many more.

Ultimately, this book provides the reader with a narrative history of how baseball evolved from an informal folk game to the sport played in ballparks around the world today. As such, Strike Four is a wonderful reference for sports fans and historians of all generations.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 320 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼

978-1-5381-2114-6 • Hardback • March 2019 • $48.00 • (£37.00)

978-1-5381-2115-3 • eBook • March 2019 • $45.50 • (£35.00)

Subjects: Sports & Recreation / Baseball / General, Sports & Recreation / Baseball / History

Strike Four

The Evolution of Baseball

Hardback

eBook

Summary

Baseball began as a schoolyard game, brought to America by the colonists. It evolved rapidly over the second half of the nineteenth century, with innovations and rule changes continuing throughout the twentieth century and into the modern era. But why and how did these changes take place?

In Strike Four: The Evolution of Baseball, Richard Hershberger examines the national pastime’s development, from the reasoning behind new rules and innovations to the consequences of these changes—both intended and unintended—that often led to a new round of modifications. Topics examined include the dropped third strike, foul territory, nine innings, tagging up, balls and strikes, tie games, equipment, the infield fly rule, and many more.

Ultimately, this book provides the reader with a narrative history of how baseball evolved from an informal folk game to the sport played in ballparks around the world today. As such, Strike Four is a wonderful reference for sports fans and historians of all generations.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 320 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼

978-1-5381-2114-6 • Hardback • March 2019 • $48.00 • (£37.00)

978-1-5381-2115-3 • eBook • March 2019 • $45.50 • (£35.00)

Subjects: Sports & Recreation / Baseball / General, Sports & Recreation / Baseball / History

Author

Richard Hershberger is the author of numerous articles about baseball history, specializing in the nineteenth century and in the development of the rules. He is a member of the Society for American Baseball Research.

Table of Contents

Foreword John Thorn
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Who Makes the Rules and Why?
1: Premodern Baseball
2: Strikeouts and the Dropped Third Strike
3: Foul Territory and Dead Balls
4: Three-Out Innings
5: Tagging Runners, Nine Men, and Force Plays
6: Balks and Stolen Bases
7: Nine-Inning Games
8: The Diamond
9: The Fly Game
10: Tagging Up
11: Swift Pitching and the Balk
12: Called Strikes and the Base on Balls
13: Implementing Balls and Strikes
14: The Early Strike Zone
15: The Early Umpire
16: The Fielding Revolution
17: The Ball and Bat
18: Overrunning First Base
19: Extra Innings, Tie Games, and Suspended Games
20: Fair-Fouls and the Foul Pole
21: The Batter’s Box
22: Curveballs and Overhand Pitching
23: The Modern Pitch Delivery and Balk
24: Hit by Pitch
25: Gloves and Mitts
26: Catchers’ Equipment and the Catcher’s Box
27: Four Balls and Three Strikes, Foul Tips, and the Modern Strike Zone
28: The Infield Fly Rule
29: The Modern Umpire
30: Player Substitutions
31: The Foul Strike
32: The Spitball
33: The Pitcher’s Mound
34: The Designated Hitter
35: Video Replay Review
36: The Future
Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the Author

Reviews

In Richard Hershberger’s world of 19th Century baseball research as a SABR rattler, rules really do rule.

. . . . It’s important to know and understand how and why a rule came into effect, if it still works, and what could be the desired result if it was to be messed with.
— Farther Off The Wall

Richard Hershberger writes of the rules of baseball with humor and a deep knowledge lightly worn. While no one but he reads the rules for fun, there is no better word to describe his book about the rules. It is, if you will forgive the shopworn term, a page-turner.
— John Thorn, Official Historian of Major League Baseball

Even if you think you’ve read every possible variation on a theme of the rules of baseball, Richard Hershberger’s Strike Four: The Evolution of Baseball will be a unique treat. His blend of wry wit, impeccable scholarship, and merry speculation make for a wide-ranging tour of how baseball came to be what it is today, from his rousing introduction to his keen reflections on the current state of the game.
— David Nemec, author of The Beer and Whisky League and The Official Rules of Baseball Illustrated

Strike Four

The Evolution of Baseball

Richard Hershberger - Foreword by John Thorn

Strike Four

The Evolution of Baseball

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