The Dead-Ball Era-
The dead-ball era was a time period in baseball that lasted from about the year 1900 to 1919. This period of time in baseball was commonly called the "dead ball era" because of the significantly low scoring games, that were dominated by a number of legendary pitchers such as Cy Young, Walter Johnson, Grover Cleveland, and Christy Mathewson. Describing the condition of baseball itself, the dead ball era was a difficult time in baseball.
In the early 1900's, baseballs would cost about three dollars each, which was a hefty sum at the time for club owners, who were reluctant to replace the ball throughout a game. As a result, it was not uncommon for a single baseball to be used for the entirety of one game. But, by the later innings of a game, the ball would be dark with marks of dirt, grass, and mud.
As a consequence, home runs, which are a staple in today's game, became scarce, and the "inside game" dominated. Common strategy revolved around singles, bunts, stolen bases, and the hit-and-run play rather than hitting the ball out of the park.
The dead-ball era was a time period in baseball that lasted from about the year 1900 to 1919. This period of time in baseball was commonly called the "dead ball era" because of the significantly low scoring games, that were dominated by a number of legendary pitchers such as Cy Young, Walter Johnson, Grover Cleveland, and Christy Mathewson. Describing the condition of baseball itself, the dead ball era was a difficult time in baseball.
In the early 1900's, baseballs would cost about three dollars each, which was a hefty sum at the time for club owners, who were reluctant to replace the ball throughout a game. As a result, it was not uncommon for a single baseball to be used for the entirety of one game. But, by the later innings of a game, the ball would be dark with marks of dirt, grass, and mud.
As a consequence, home runs, which are a staple in today's game, became scarce, and the "inside game" dominated. Common strategy revolved around singles, bunts, stolen bases, and the hit-and-run play rather than hitting the ball out of the park.
The End of the Dead-Ball Era-
The dead-ball era came to an end after the fatal beaning of Cleveland shortstop Ray Chapman during the 1920 season. Chapman was struck by a Carl Mays pitch in the 5th inning of a game that he was believed to have never seen. Due to the darkened color of the dirt covered baseball, he never moved from a pitch that struck Chapman in the side of the head. He was replaced and taken out of the game and immediately given medical attention, though he would die from his injuries the next day in the hospital.
This tragic indecent instituted several rule changes during that season, both because of the death of Chapman and the desire to live up games. 1920 was the first year that baseballs were replaced at the first sign of wear, which results in a much brighter and easier ball to see as a hitter.
The dead-ball era came to an end after the fatal beaning of Cleveland shortstop Ray Chapman during the 1920 season. Chapman was struck by a Carl Mays pitch in the 5th inning of a game that he was believed to have never seen. Due to the darkened color of the dirt covered baseball, he never moved from a pitch that struck Chapman in the side of the head. He was replaced and taken out of the game and immediately given medical attention, though he would die from his injuries the next day in the hospital.
This tragic indecent instituted several rule changes during that season, both because of the death of Chapman and the desire to live up games. 1920 was the first year that baseballs were replaced at the first sign of wear, which results in a much brighter and easier ball to see as a hitter.
Thus, the dead-ball era came to an end, and the live ball era began, marking the time that offensive statistics rose dramatically, and the emergence of dynamic hitters like Babe Ruth changed the way the game of baseball was played forever. During the live-ball era, baseball regained it's relevance and exploded in popularity, as in that very same year, Babe Ruth went on to break the previous single season home run record of 29 with an unthinkable 54 home runs.