Is this photographic evidence that baseball used to be played like soccer?
The Chicago White Sox, who have been plagued with three losses in a row since fighting their way to the top of the American League heap, decide to punt in their losing effort with the Baltimore Orioles on August 23, 1964 in Chicago. Actually Sox third baseman Pete Ward is stomping on an errant balloon on the infield during play in the first game of a double header. (AP Photo/PC)
(PC/AP)
Sure, we've seen historic box scores and many, many photos showing baseball being played by the rules we know so well and with equipment we recognize. But then how do you explain the photo above, taken in 1964, in which White Sox third baseman Pete Ward appears to be dribbling a soccer ball on the infield dirt?
Was there some quirkly rule that year that said you could play the sport with whatever ball you wanted? Is there a photo somewhere of Minnie Minoso trying to hit a golf ball? Maybe Whitey Ford trying to pitch a football?
Oh, Ward's just popping a balloon that blew onto the field? Well, there goes our sports-crossover theory (and our plan for the most difficult sports video game franchise ever).
