Indoor Baseball
 

Hi-

I saw a post on the BST recently where someone was trying to sell an indoor baseball. I have a small indoor baseball collection (pictured below). Please feel free to post your own indoor baseball items or any information about the game. The ball with the condition problems is very soft and other is more firm. Does anyone have a picture of a bat that would have been used for this game? The thin bat shown in the team photo below does not look sturdy enough to use with the larger balls.

Alan

I had a photo once of a celebrity charity indoor baseball game in 1939 with Walter Johnson pitching underhand to Mayor LaGuardia, perhaps in the Garden if memory serves correctly.

I used to have a an indoor baseball bat that was very thin, very similar to the one pictured - it was almost like a stick ball bat. Here is a photo of the 1904 Spalding Indoor Guide, and one from the 1921 guide showing a ball and a bat. The bat appears to be a bit more sturdy. The No. 1 official Indoor ball had a whopping 17” circumference. The last picture is a ball I have for playground ball which I have always thought was similar to indoor ball.

Harpers March 8, 1890

The Graphic January 24, 1891

Young Athlete's Weekly April 7, 1905

I am constantly amazed at what I learn on this site. I have two, which I thought were old softballs because of the diameter (about 12 inches) , that I picked up years ago.
One is similar to the one the playground ball without the markings Joe posted and the other one is similar to the one Alan posted. I would not have thought this would have been for the indoor game because my circumference is only about 12". Am I correct in thinking both of these are old playground balls and this one not indoor? Thanks.

I am really not sure. I have several common oversized balls, 12” or 14”, that have out seams or regular seams. I always assumed they were “Mush” balls or just softballs used for softball or recreational use. Google "Mush Ball baseball” or “debeer clincher” and you will see many softballs that look just like vintage balls. Some balls that look like they would be quite old, are just clincher softballs.

Joe,

Thanks, I will do that. Appreciate your quick response.

Jim

Hank, that would be a cool photo to see. Joe, cool book and ball! I think I have had the book before but I have never had the playground ball before. Doug, great woodcuts and magazine cover! Jim, my two indoor baseballs are 16+ inches in circumference.

Alan

Alan,
Rog that - the proper circumference. Since they are so similar, I gather they made a couple different sizes - one for indoor and one for outdoor.

Jim

Here's indoor baseball

THAT is great!

Seriously! I honestly didn't even know this was a thing back then. Fascinating. Looks like some sort of an unholy alliance between Nerfball, Wiffleball, Softball and Baseball.

I think I would have loved to play this. Screw Pickleball, I want to be in an Indoor Baseball League.

Fun thread guys. Here's one from my collection. It's the Woodsman of the World team. Says it's the first Indoor Baseball Team 1901. Love the mascot!

JD

JD, that’s a fantastic photo. It gives you a good sense of the size of the ball and bat - the ball reminds me of a duckpin bowling ball.

Here is one I've had for a while. H&B indoor No 52. It's 33" with a 5 1/2" barrel circumference. I had dated it possibly 1916-1920's(?). Now i think about it, its my oldest bat

Found my other indoor baseball picture, this one from 1903. It's large.

JD

Awesome photo! :D:cool:

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...720&fit=bounds

From my women in baseball collection.