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Posted By: Mike

Correct. Belt buckles were worn to the side, so that it would tear the crap out their stomachs, if they had to slide into base, or dive for a ground ball or fly ball. It was no fashion statement. Another factor why it was important, was because outfield grass was not as plush as today, and infield dirt, was much harder and more compact, because it wasn't treated as tenderly as it is today. And worked with machines. Can you imagine that metal buckle ripping into your stomach as you do a head first slide into second base? Ouch...

Edited to add that the type of belt worn by Chase here, tended to "pinch" your stomach if you slid in head first.
In either case, it would hurt.