Posted By:
Gilbert MainesI kinda thought that in the beginning the focus of play was between the baserunners and fielders; and the pitchers were to not interfere with a batter's ability to hit the ball. Heck, a batter could demand a high or low pitch.
That shifted gradually with almost annual changes allowed to pitchers' deliveries to the point of allowing sidearm, then overhand pitches. As pitchers began to fool the batters, the focus shifted to a batter's prowess. Slicing the pitch into foul territory and other legal tricks of batsmen became important. Changes of the rules throughout the 19th century were employed to maintain a balance between the pitcher and batter.
And although fielding was a skill of major importance during this period, so was pitching and hitting. Top hitters, pitchers, baserunners and fielders were all stars in the 19th century, as they are today.