April Pickups

[Hot Springs Bathers]

Mark I went to Dr. cooper's book tonight and found your game photographed on page 124 under "20th Century Action Games." At the time of publishing it appears that Cooper only had the game board itself. He shows no game pieces and no booklet. As a matter of fact he lists the game as "manufacturer unknown."

I am sure he would be very excited to learn more about the game. Of course with his apparent focus he may have more info by now. The publication date for his book is 1995. Good luck, looks like you found a real winner. Mike Dugan

[perezfan]

Thanks... I had a feeling it was a good one! Has to be one of the best surviving examples too, as it has just nominal wear with no real condition flaws.

Regarding the question of how to score anything other than an Out or Home Run, Dr. Cooper was kind enough to reply to my inquiry, as follows...

"I remember that this game had either outs as you alluded to, home runs up the ramps and off the playing field, and a single if it stopped rolling and was not an out.

This was the competitor and precursor to Mather's game.

Great graphics and 100 years old

hope that helps

enjoy the game"

Mark

.... So now I'm curious to see Mather's Game.... can anyone post an example?

[Hot Springs Bathers]

Mark I have not been able to scan the Mathers photo from Cooper's book for you. The games are very close with the Mathers edition graphics being rather bland in comparsion.

Last night I saw a copy of the Cooper book in an eBay listing for under $5.00. The item number is 170471408546. I would highly recommend obtaining a copy and this might be a good opportunity at a good price.

I will try to recruit my teenage daughter to help her old Dad with the scanner!

[jpop43]

Just got it yesterday...

http://www.dugouttreasures.com

[MGHPro]

Jonathan..
Great looking glove!
Matt

[mjkm90]

Congrats Jonathan. That is the finest signature I've seen on a Gehrig mitt.

[Butch7999]

Mark, tremendous pick-up with National Base Ball Game. That's the only set of player-figures from that game that we've ever seen.

For the record, National is not the predecessor of the 1906 Mather's Parlor Base Ball Game
(see post 11 here: http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=121873 )
-- it's a somewhat simplified, later (1908) version of it, although it's a bit mystifying how Arvine Thomas was able to get a patent granted two years later for something nearly identical to Joseph Mather's invention.

Anyway, as far as we can tell, National operates similarly to Mather's -- the shallow "dish" in each outfield section usually slows the entry into the "out" hole for any ball hit into play, during which time the batter-runner or existing baserunner(s) can be advanced around the bases. When the ball is finally retrieved by the fielding team, it's placed at whatever base would prevent further baserunner advance.

We see you've made some beauty acquisitions of games lately -- please feel welcome to show 'em off and discuss 'em or ask questions at our Baseball Games forum!

[slidekellyslide]

DS, that Connie Mack blotter is awesome. Never seen it before.

I just picked up this Nebraska Indians real photo postcard from a lurker here on the Net54. Possible one of the players from the printed postcard as you can see the player is wearing that exact uniform.

[vintagesportflips]

Dan, that is an awesome RPPC. I remembered seeing your colorized team one before, but I didn't realize they played in those Indian style fringed uniforms - pretty neat.

[Lordstan]

Dan,
That is a great photo. That type of action shot would look great with any player in it. When you factor in the era, the photographic equipment available, the incredible uniforms, and the uniqueness of the team, you have an even more fantastic picture.
Congrats on getting it.
Perhaps you can blow up the team picture and try to ID the player.
Best,
Mark

[Rob D.]