Posted By:
Mark LSteve
I, at least, don't grant that it was easier to hit a pitch in, say, 1915 than it is today. Back in the early years of the century, they would use the same ball as long as possible throughout the game. During the course of a game, the ball would be darkened, scuffed, and adorned with spit, grease, coffee, licorice, etc., so that it did very fancy things when thrown with art. In addition, the ball was not as "lively" as it is today, so it was tougher to drive it into the outfield gaps.