One question I have about baseball...

HoofHearted · June 7, 2010 11:15AM

...with apologies to frankhardy for capitalizing on his thread name. I didn't want this question to get lost in his discussion because I've been curious and have been wanting to ask someone for decades. Here it is:

When and where did the custom come from that the first baseman has a ball thrown to him as he comes to the dugout after the defensive half of the inning is over??

Anybody got the answer??

SDSportsFan · June 7, 2010 11:44AM

I know the reason for it is so he has a ball ready to toss around the infield when they return to the field the next inning. So he wouldn't have to search for one to use, or if he was on base when the third out was made and someone else wouldn't have to search for a ball for him along with bringing him his hat and glove, it was thought a good idea to have someone throw him a ball as he came in each inning.

I don't however, know the when/where of it. Hopefully, someone will be able to chime in with that answer.

Steve

HoofHearted · June 7, 2010 1:15PM

<< I know the reason for it is so he has a ball ready to toss around the infield when they return to the field the next inning. So he wouldn't have to search for one to use, or if he was on base when the third out was made and someone else wouldn't have to search for a ball for him along with bringing him his hat and glove, it was thought a good idea to have someone throw him a ball as he came in each inning.

I don't however, know the when/where of it. Hopefully, someone will be able to chime in with that answer.

Steve >>

Hey, Steve,

That sounds like the most logical reason why the ball is given to the firstbaseman. I'm curious how it became a universal, unbreakable rule that it has to be done. I can't remember ever seeing a ball not being tossed...

MooseDog · June 7, 2010 2:56PM

If you've ever played on a high level team and spent some time sitting on the bench, like me, it gets very boring...I'll bet some smart but not too talented bench warmer got the bright idea to toss balls to the first baseman so he'd have a reason to get up each inning and stay somewhat loose. From there, it probably caught on as others saw this behavior happening.

fkw · June 7, 2010 3:27PM

Its so the 1st baseman has a ball in his glove at end of their ABs and doesnt have to search for one to toss around during pitchers warm ups when he goes back on field. If the 1st baseman is on base, another infielder would bring out his glove and maybe hat if not under helmet and their better be a ball in glove or heads will roll.

You learn this at the HS level if you have a good program.

markj111 · June 8, 2010 1:15AM

<< I know the reason for it is so he has a ball ready to toss around the infield when they return to the field the next inning. So he wouldn't have to search for one to use, or if he was on base when the third out was made and someone else wouldn't have to search for a ball for him along with bringing him his hat and glove, it was thought a good idea to have someone throw him a ball as he came in each inning.

I don't however, know the when/where of it. Hopefully, someone will be able to chime in with that answer.

Steve >>

I heard the same explanation many years ago. I do not know the origin.

Sportsamerica · June 8, 2010 2:25AM

I heard it started when a pitcher was in the dugout after being taken out of the game, and after the inning was over, threw the ball to the first baseman coming off the field and said "oh you can catch, why didn't you do that earlier!"

HoofHearted · June 8, 2010 2:40PM

<< I heard it started when a pitcher was in the dugout after being taken out of the game, and after the inning was over, threw the ball to the first baseman coming off the field and said "oh you can catch, why didn't you do that earlier!" >>

Man, I've been Googling and searching Wikipedia with no luck. There's gotta be an explanation about this tried-and-true baseball custom...

WinPitcher · June 8, 2010 10:00PM

It began when Eve threw Adam the apple.

Steve

leathtech · June 9, 2010 1:29AM

<< It began when Eve threw Adam the apple.

Steve >>

and to think that wisdom was your 25,800th post

itzagoner · June 9, 2010 1:44AM

i'd guess that at least in part, it has to do with the officiating.....umpires have little tolerance for unnecessary delays.....if a fielder was fumbling around for a ball instead of tossing it around within seconds after the completion of a prior inning, you can bet the ump won't be offering favorable treatment to THAT team anymore.

of course, with the proliferation of TV commercials, silly promotions, Bratwurst races and Jumbotrons, it doesn't seem like anyone is in a hurry anymore, does it.

mlbfan2 · June 9, 2010 1:59AM

<< I'm curious how it became a universal, unbreakable rule that it has to be done. I can't remember ever seeing a ball not being tossed... >>

I doubt it's done every time. It would have to be done over 43,000 times per season.....and no one ever forgets?

One question I have about baseball...

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