I've just completed "59 in '84" about Old Hoss and 19th century baseball, and its confusing to figure out exactly what catchers' circumstances were like back then.
Did catchers actually catch balls thrown overhand at full speed with bare hands for entire games? Or even with just the "fingerless gloves that give barely any protection?
How often did pitchers throw underhand to "ease off" their catcher and their own arm during the 1880's?
How often did catchers catch the ball on the bounce to give themselves a rest?
What those catchers did was unbelievable!
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