A Baseball Field is Perfectly Designed

[DonZimmerRules]

Think about it? The field was designed over 100 years ago. And look how "close" all the plays remain - e.g., stealing plays (throwing distance from plate to 2nd/distance for runner from 1st and 2nd) that are usually close, ground outs in the infield are usually pretty close - if a ball gets bobbled for only a second, a speedy runner can reach safely. See what I mean? You just would not want these distances any closer or any longer - the dimensions work perfectly for modern baseball and they must have been perfect way back when.

[Sixty one]

This is one of the biggest reasons that this game has endured over 100 years and why nothing major has ever been changed in the rules.

[DonZimmerRules]

Originally posted by Sixty one
This is one of the biggest reasons that this game has endured over 100 years and why nothing major has ever been changed in the rules.

I agree. I just find it so fascinating that the person(s) who invented/designed the major league field got it so right. How did they know that 90 feet between bases would be "perfect" with respect to ensuring close plays? Did they do continous tests and refinements to determine the best distances? Does anyone know??

[Sixty one]

Originally posted by DonZimmerRules


I agree. I just find it so fascinating that the person(s) who invented/designed the major league field got it so right. How did they know that 90 feet between bases would be "perfect" with respect to ensuring close plays? Did they do continous tests and refinements to determine the best distances? Does anyone know??

Good questions! I wish I knew the answers. Do you think that the two major changes in the rules over the century have been the DH and balls that bounced in the stands being ruled homeruns? I'm sure there are others but I can't think of any at this time.

[DonZimmerRules]

Originally posted by Sixty one


Good questions! I wish I knew the answers. Do you think that the two major changes in the rules over the century have been the DH and balls that bounced in the stands being ruled homeruns? I'm sure there are others but I can't think of any at this time.

Well - didn't they one raise the height of the pitcher's mound - and then subsequently lower it? And, individual stadiums have shortened the outfield (I think the fence at Yankee stadium used to be much further out)?

[Sixty one]

Originally posted by DonZimmerRules


Well - didn't they one raise the height of the pitcher's mound - and then subsequently lower it? And, individual stadiums have shortened the outfield (I think the fence at Yankee stadium used to be much further out)?

True. In the 60's the mound favored pitchers and guys like Gibson and Drysdale dominated. That's when batting averages were really lowered. As far as stadiums were concerned, there were many that had their fences brought in and Yankee stadium, of course, had the huge centerfield which I believe was 465 feet away. The Polo Grounds where the Mets and Giants played also had a huge centerfield.

[anyoneseenthebridge]

The Polo Grounds

Talk about a perfect name for a stadium!

[Evil Empire]

Originally posted by Sixty one


Good questions! I wish I knew the answers. Do you think that the two major changes in the rules over the century have been the DH and balls that bounced in the stands being ruled homeruns? I'm sure there are others but I can't think of any at this time.

sorry but what do u mean when the ball bounces in the stands its a hr? isn't it a ground rule double?

[Sandman]

Somebody (wish I know who) once said, "90 feet between the bases may be the closest to perfection that man has ever gotten."

On a grounder deep in the hole, cleanly played, a fast runner's out by one step, a slow runner by two steps.

[Sixty one]

Originally posted by Evil Empire


sorry but what do u mean when the ball bounces in the stands its a hr? isn't it a ground rule double?

True, it is a ground rule double now, but in the early part of the 20th century it was ruled a homerun. I don't remember the exact years that this occurred, but I do know that Ruth's record of 60 in 1927 was not a problem since none of his bounced into the stands.

[Big_E]

Originally posted by Sandman
Somebody (wish I know who) once said, "90 feet between the bases may be the closest to perfection that man has ever gotten."

On a grounder deep in the hole, cleanly played, a fast runner's out by one step, a slow runner by two steps.

I believe it was Red Smith