Dispatches From Kansas: Joe Tinker Day at Muscotah—a genuine Field of Dreams experience

Monday, July 29, 2013

Matt said...: Tom, do you know what year's rules they used? Looks fairly early given the lack of gloves, but I know there were variations in the late 1800s.; 11:01 AM
Tom Parker said...: Matt, they announced the rules but I was too far away to hear them clearly and unprepared to take notes. Sorry! It was definitely a different game, though. If the ball was caught on the first bounce it acted like an out, for one. Pitching was underhanded and no gloves were used. (The latter contributed to a broken finger, hence the poor victim getting tended by an EMT.; 5:49 PM
Matt said...: Pre-1864, then, unless they were using a mixture (I'm cheating via Baseball Almanac): http://www.baseball-almanac.com/rulechng.shtml; 8:53 AM
Tom Parker said...: An article in the Lawrence paper put the rules at the 1860s, so I believe you are correct.; 10:16 AM
f# said...: What a great photog sweetie YOU are! From Old Cowtown Bull Stockings (a mix of Bull Dozers and Red Stockings, actual Wichita teams) and the Hodgeman County 9 (from Jetmore, KS), we salute you and your wonderful camera!

Yes, we used a mix of 1860-70s rules. There is a Kansas Assoc. of these teams and there will be a State Tournament, 10/5 & 6 at Wichita OCM. "Crank" f#; 3:54 PM
Tom Parker said...: Sweetie! Well, I, um, er, I don't know what to say other than it seems awful warm in here, doesn't it?; 5:20 PM