Expert: Steve L - 5/17/2004

Question
I'm writing a children's cartoon that features early baseball.

Can you tell me when "balls and strikes" were added to the game of baseball? Was there ever a time when the batter had unlimited pitches until he hit the ball?

Thanks so much.

Gary

Answer
Baseball's first set of rules, the original Knickerbocker Rules, were established by Alexander Cartwright in 1845.

1858:  Called strikes are introduced, implying that from 1845 thru 1857, the batter had an unlimited number of pitches.  


The OFficial National League Rules:
1879:  The number of "called balls" became 9 and all balls were either strikes, balls or fouls.

1880: Base on balls was reduced to 8 "called balls."

1884: Six "called balls" became a base on balls.

1887: Five balls became a base on balls.
Four "called strikes" were adopted for this season only.

1889: Four balls became a base on balls.