Baseball As A Sport

Front:
BAS %STRIKE 390 21 Lou Gehrig STOWN 10 1989 13326 25 IN NY

Back:
BASEBALL AS A SPORT First Day of Issue: June 10, 1989 First Issue Location: Cooperstown, New York Rules used in baseball today are similar to those used in the early days, with the exception of a few important changes adopted during the second half of the nineteenth century. For instance, early games were played until one team scored twenty-one points. The present nine-inning rule wasn't adopted until 1857. Since 1864, balls caught on the bounce have been playable, but originally, balls caught on the fly or after one bounce were outs. Then, as now, three strikes made an out — but originally strikes had to be pitches swung at and missed. When a coach in the early days said, “Wait for the right one,” the batter might wait a long, long time — thrown strikes weren't recognized until 1868! Further, a batter couldn't be walked until 1879, and even then only after nine balls; the present four ball walk rule was introduced in 1889. These rule changes made possible modern baseball and legen- dary players like Lou Gehrig, whose skill, talent and quiet courage are honored with the stamp featured on this Maximum Card. No. 89-18 ©1989 The Maximum Card Collection A Division of Unicover Corporation Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 Original painting by Tom McNeely