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.
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