Deadball Player Skill???

[milkit1]

I'd live to see the mlb outlaw batting helmets and legalise all illegal pitching just to see all these "naturally talented" new players averages plummit. Cobb hit over 400 and probably couldn't even see the ball half the time. Maybe that would be a good punishment to steroid users! Make them earn that money!

[M's_Fan]

Originally Posted by milkit1

I'd live to see the mlb outlaw batting helmets and legalise all illegal pitching just to see all these "naturally talented" new players averages plummit. Cobb hit over 400 and probably couldn't even see the ball half the time. Maybe that would be a good punishment to steroid users! Make them earn that money!

These days batters can crowd the plate without any consequence, and the pitcher gets fined for throwing inside. It has DRAMATICALLY changed the game.

We also haven't mentioned the lowering of the pitching mound in modern times, which has also tilted the playing field towards the batter.

No doubt players are bigger and stronger today, and in some ways more skilled, but there are many many advantages that modern batters have that dead ball batters did not have.

[steve B]

Thanks Rhett. Re reading it I think you're right. I initially read it a bit differently Thinking he meant that the exclusion meant fewer players.

Sorry Rhys.

And one of the things that impresses me about the early players is their feilding percentages using the gloves of the time. I've had a catch or two with a 20's glove and its much different and to me much harder than with a modern glove.

Steve B

[Hot Springs Bathers]

Great points throughout the thread. While researching deadball era photos one major factor that stands out to me is the quality of the playing surface. Most of the best fields look worse than todays little league fields.

Watering systems were anemic as was grass study. I can only imagine how crude the mowers were in those days. From what I have read the grounds crew usually consisted of one man who hopefully had a son or two to help. There are several references to the head groundskeeper and his family LIVING in the stadium!

Along with era gloves I think the fielding percentages are actually amazing.