Around The Horn
 

Posted By: <b>Lee Behrens</b><p>Where did the practice os throwing around the horn ever originate? A curious ritual in my book.

Around The Horn
 

Posted By: <b>Julie Vognar</b><p>Never even bothered to think about it.

Around The Horn
 

Posted By: <b>David</b><p>To force out any possible ghost runners.<BR>

Around The Horn
 

Posted By: <b>Lee Behrens</b><p>Did I actually bring up a baseball question to this board that can not be answered? <BR><BR>I think that would be a first.

Around The Horn
 

Posted By: <b>David</b><p>What are you talking about? My answer was perfectly sound.

Around The Horn
 

Posted By: <b>jeff s</b><p>but i seem to recall that no one knows for sure.<BR><BR>one speculation i remember is that is has to do with people like Frank Chance who, when they got their hands on the ball, would put foreign substances on it, thus helping out the pitcher.<BR><BR>i also seem to recall that, in the old days, since the ball was harder to hit the darker it got (and balls were kept in play for a long time), when a new ball came out, players would do what they could to darken it up.<BR><BR>unfortunately, i have no clue where i read this stuff, and my library of such materials is 2,000 miles away...

Around The Horn
 

Posted By: <b>John(z28jd)</b><p>It first started out as a way to celebrate an out in the infield and keep the players focused while the next batter was coming to the plate,but eventually the players juiced up the ball before returning it to the pitcher(read Jeffs response)

Around The Horn
 

Posted By: <b>Lee Behrens</b><p>I knew there would be some rational explaination if I just prodded. Players wouldn't do anything to give there own team an advantage would they?<BR><BR>By the way Dave, Did you play with imaginary friends as a kid? <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><BR><BR>Thanks Lee

Around The Horn
 

Posted By: <b>Brian C Daniels</b><p>Buffalos! That is why they call it the "horn" !

Around The Horn
 

Posted By: <b>David</b><p>Yes, and I always won.

Around The Horn
 

Posted By: <b>Julie Vognar</b><p>and I thought my answer was fine. Well, maybe not as good as the historical one, but still...