February 07, 2002

MLB's historical timeline of the strike zone: doesn't mention Eric Gregg's ridiculously wide strike zone in the 1997 World Series, but I did learn that originally the batters called the pitches.

posted by kirkaracha to baseball at 05:29 PM - 2 comments

another odd, historical fact i never knew: originally, a ball was fair if it landed between the foul lines before it landed outside of them. thus, if a ball were hit fair before it reached third-base and then dribbled foul, it was still considered "in play." according to the story i read, a cubs (then chicago white-stockings) player specialized in hits that would bounce fair and then foul. he hit over .400, i believe. the rule was changed pretty soon after the season.

posted by moz at 07:47 PM on February 07, 2002

Excellent link. I remember all through little league being told the strike zone was from the arm pits to the knees. Then it got drastically smaller, or more major league inspired, in highschool. It's also amazing when you consider the national and american leagues have, at least until recently, drastically different strike zones.

posted by justgary at 01:33 AM on February 09, 2002

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