The Swat of The Bat The Roar of The Crowd
By Reno Litterio

Quincy - Baseball, America’s national sport pastime is upon us and in full swing. I love every sound, every smell, all the boos, all the nays and yeas. Popcorn, peanuts and crackerjacks, the green turf, home plate, loaded bases and the smell of the crowd. Ladies and gentlemen, tykes, old geezers, sweet old ladies and the most exuberant fans waving banners and flags, baseball cards, the catcher’s signals, the pitcher’s fastball and the ump’s call.

What is the fastest pitched ball (mph) ever thrown and recorded in a professional game and the pitcher’s name?

Although this modern game of baseball grew and evolved as an American institution, its origins are relatively obscure. The historical facts indicate that, in its early forms, baseball represented modified pieces put together from cricket and rounders, games imported from Great Britain to the American colonies.

By the early 18th century several varieties of baseball, each with different names were played in the United States. Most of those early variations of baseball were played on a square field, with stakes at the corners called “stations,” with a strikers box about midway between the first and fourth stations. In 1840 the stakes, which caused many injuries, were replaced with stones and then sand filled sacks. These sacks soon became known as bases and shortly thereafter the players began called the game baseball.

The next important development in the history of the game occurred in 1845, when the “Knickerbocker Baseball Club” was organized in New York City. The team sponsored by this organization established the foundation of modern baseball. In the year 2004, the Boston Red Sox, my favorite baseball team, won its first World Series title in 86 years with a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals. “The Commissioner’s Trophy” (the official name) went on tour visiting every New England state, made stops across the country and around the world. Take in a Red Sox game and lift your spirits. Play Ball!

About The Author
Reno J. Litterio is the previous Editor and Publisher of The Constellation Newsletter. Litterio was the co-founder of the Ward 4 Senior Citizens Social Group in Quincy in 1992 and is now chairman and Director of the group. You can reach Mr. Litterio at renowarior@aol.com.