I enjoy telling friends that the first year professional baseball was organized was also the year of Custer's Last Stand.
It puts in perspective just how long baseball has been around. While some kid was throwing a shut out on the playground, Custer was getting hit hard by the Braves.
A newspaper in the late 1800's ran polls designed to be answered by women, in an effort to increase female readership and circulation.
One of the more controversial questions was-
'If you could take one material thing away from your man, what would that item be?'
Overwhelmingly, the answer was plain and simple-
'The ball'
Women wrote notes to the paper that the ball wasted their men's time. Instead of being in the fields, they would be hurling a ball back and forth. Instead of chopping wood, they would splinter logs in order to make a functional whupping stick for the ball. Instead of painting a barn, they'd be throwing a ball up against it.
The ball was the men's favorite, and in a lot of cases, only toy.
Before professional ball and Custer's demise, two men would barnstorm across the United States. Kasey Chance and Bob Bolin. It was said that Chance could throw a ball at a hundred yards and knock a squirrel dead. Bolin could throw a ball harder than Chance, a lot harder. Only trouble was, Bolin had no qualms about missing a designated target.
When 'Rounders' or baseball as it was later called began getting popular, Chance and Bolin went town to town displaying their wonderful arms.
Townsmen would marvel at Chance and his pinpoint accuracy. He would knock bottles off tree stumps in rapid fire motion to impress residents.
Bolin would stand in front of an old barn, heave a ball with all his might and usually leave a hole through the solid wood. His aim, so bad sometimes, that he would miss the side of the barn.
After these exhibitions, men from the towns, at least those brave enough, would have a game against Kasey and Bob.
Nine vs two was fair enough with the skills that Chance and Bolin had in their arms.
After a team was collected from the town, Kasey and Bob would ask the town which pitcher they would rather have throw against them. This always drew laughter. To pick Bob, would be to akin to suicide. Kasey was always selected.
Kasey and Bob toured everywhere. Criss crossing the United States, even teaching miners and indians how to play the game.
When the game had inklings of going professional, Kasey and Bob wanted to be present. They were getting a little long in the tooth, but professional ball had always been a dream.
They were well known in ball circles. Even revered in some places.
When tryouts took place a few short years later, Kasey and Bob were in their 40's. Well past their prime.
They tried out amidst much ballyhoo from their admirers, but it was clear to see that age had become an enemy.
In their time 'ball' had become 'rounders' which now had changed to baseball.
Back in the day, folks could not touch Kasey with a bat.
And nobody wanted to face Bob, why, he could throw harder than any man alive.
The owners and coaches could not use Kasey and Bob. They wanted their league filled with youthful vitality. It was a new game, and a game that needed new players.
Kasey and Bob were told that their services would not be needed. They understood.
The local paper held a dinner to honor Kasey and Bob. Everyone near the town, who Kasey and Bob had impressed with their exhibitions were present at the dinner.
Dinner eaten, the Editor and statistician for baseball stood up and clinked his glass to draw attention.
"Time has not been kind to Kasey Chance and Bob Bolin. When their time came to live their dream, their bodies kicked 'em in the ass!"
Laughter broke out amongst the tables. Kasey and Bob looked at him with sheepish grins.
"I feel that we should do something to memorialize Kasey and Bob's efforts for the game of baseball. As Editor of our town paper and statistician for the game of baseball I have that power!"
Hoots and hollers broke out from the crowds. Kasey and Bob were getting slapped on the back and having their graying hair tussled by anybody nearby.
"So, it was with honor that I designate that from this date forward, any man who misses or takes three hittable pitches shall be considered struck out. And for this effort on the pitchers part, he will be given a K for Kasey as a strike out."
The attendee's clapped their hands. Kasey mouthed the words 'Thank you' to the Editor, his eyes reddening.
"Bob...Bob is a different case. Bob didn't get the chance to strike many folks out for fear of killing them!
I decree that any batter who takes four unhittable pitches be awarded first base. These errant pitches shall simply be called 'balls'. Since the batter is awarded his base, we will designate the name as a base on balls or 'BOB' for short."
Bob accepted congratulations and thanked anybody within earshot.
Bob and Kasey were almost brought to tears by the honor of forever seeing a part of themselves with every baseball game.
But, as time moved on, Bob tired of seeing his name on what was considered a non-favorable pitching statistic.
A meeting was setup with the Editor and Statistician. It was then agreed that his initials and not full name be used as the symbol for a walk.
And we still have the K and BB today.
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I made this story up a couple of years ago. I love telling it when folks ask why a strikeout is a K, or a walk, BB.
Kasey Chance is a name I thought just sounded cool. Bob Bolin was a real pitcher for the Giants in the late 50's and early 60's.
If you're ever asked about BB's and K's, you're free to use it.
[ August 13, 2010, 04:50 PM: Message edited by: DOUGHBOYS ]
Kasey and Bob
Kasey and Bob
On my tombstone-
Wait! I never had the perfect draft!
Wait! I never had the perfect draft!
- Navel Lint
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Kasey and Bob
Excellent post . I’d love to hear the “story” behind the positional numbering system.
It would actually be interesting if more people added works of fiction to the boards. There are a lot of talented people in this league and you would think more people would post comments to the boards; fiction, fact or opinion.

It would actually be interesting if more people added works of fiction to the boards. There are a lot of talented people in this league and you would think more people would post comments to the boards; fiction, fact or opinion.
Russel -Navel Lint
"Fans don't boo nobodies"
-Reggie Jackson
"Fans don't boo nobodies"
-Reggie Jackson