Richmond Firsts by RAY SCHREINER

Covering the Game

The headline in the Times-Dispatch on December 30, 1908 read: “Indoor Baseball on New Year’s Eve.” Why not? Winter time, and sports activities go indoors.
 
In recent years there has been some success in putting even football players in enclosed arenas. But what about America’s favorite sport? Would baseball find an indoor niche? The answer seems to have been “yes,” because indoor baseball had found a place in Chicago in 1877. By 1907, an article in the News Leader noted that the sport “now reaches ala parts of the country and thousands are entertained during the winter months.”
 
Frank Saunders Tousey was the man who introduced the sport to Richmond. He arrived in October 1906 to take charge of Christ Episcopal Church’s new parish house. They had created a youth program that had reached a total of 208 men and boys in the church, as well as any others who might be interested. They had a gymnasium, locker room, showers, social and game rooms, glee club and Bible classes.
 
There was immediate interest in baseball. Richmonders began planning to form leagues.
 
Special rules were necessary. Spalding’s official ball and bat were required. The ball had to be not less than 16.75 inches nor more than 17.25 inches in circumference, and had to weigh no more than 8.75 ounces. The bats had to be 2.75 feet long and not larger than 1.75 inches in diameter in the largest part.
 
The diamond was to be laid out at one end of the hall, each side 27 feet long. The distance from home to second base and from first to third was to be 32.25 feet. The pitcher’s box was 22 feet from the center of home plate.
 
The game, because of its speed, required at least two umpires with nine players on each team, two shortstops and no centerfielder.
 
It wasn’t long before teams formed across the city and leagues were organized.
 
Soldiers of the Seventh Regiment were quick to accept the indoor game, but the city engineer ordered the janitor to turn out the lights and call the police if soldiers attempted to play ball in the armory. After a few conferences in which the matter was given full consideration, it was decided that indoor baseball could continue in the armory on the condition that the windows be protected from damage.
 
Indoor baseball had its day, but space confines made other sports inside a gym more practical.