Commissioner Ford C. Frick demonstrates that the revised balata ball is livelier than the previous year’s ball

ByThis Day in Baseball

On May 4, 1943, Commissioner Ford C. Frick demonstrates that the revised balata ball is livelier than the previous year’s ball by bouncing it on a carpet in his office. The major leagues had turned to the balata ball because of wartime restrictions on the supplies used to make standard baseballs.

pee wee reese
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Pee Wee Reese loses a grandslam due to war time dim-out

ByTom

8/4/1942: The Dodgers were playing the Giants at the Polo Grounds with wartime restrictions in effect that required the lights to be shut off at a predetermined time. Brooklyn scored four runs in the top of the tenth inning, including an inside-the-park grand slam by Peewee Reese, which flew over the head of center fielder Buster Maynard and rolled to the clubhouse area. After a pitching change, a walk and a fly out, the umpires stopped the game in the middle of an at bat by Joe Medwick. The game reverted back to a nine-inning, 1-1 tie. The contest was scheduled for a September 6 makeup. This was the first time a game had ended in a tie under the lights due to the dim out regulations. The game had started at 6:45pm. The only statement made by NL President Ford Frick was to say that he would “urge earlier start times.”

Debs Garms

Boston Bees sell outfielder Debs Garms to the Pittsburgh Pirates

ByTom

1940 – The Boston Bees sell outfielder Debs Garms to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Garms will get only 358 at bats for Pittsburgh but, nevertheless, will lead the National League in hitting with a .355 average. Unlike what is the case in the American League, where 400 at bats are required to be eligible for the batting title, the NL rules state that a player must appear in at least a hundred games: Garms will play in 103. Ford Frick, NL president, will clarify this in September when it is clear that Garms will not reach the 400 at bats. Pirates teammate Virgil Davis will be the nominal runner-up at .326, but will play just 99 games. Garms will drop to .264 in 1941 and he will be out of baseball a year later.

1937 – National League President Ford Frick suspends Dizzy Dean for refusing to retract statements made after a balk call in a game on May 19th, which led to an on-field brawl. Dean forces a meeting with the press at which he denies the statements, and his suspension will be lifted a few days later.

1937 – National League President Ford Frick suspends Dizzy Dean for refusing to retract statements made after a balk call in a game on May 19th, which led to an on-field brawl. Dean forces a meeting with the press at which he denies the statements, and his suspension will be lifted a few days later.

ByTom

1937 – National League President Ford Frick suspends Dizzy Dean for refusing to retract statements made after a balk call in a game on May 19th, which led to an on-field brawl. Dean forces a meeting with the press at which he denies the statements, and his suspension will be lifted a few days later.

Ford Frick

Ford Frick is reelected National League president for two years and given a raise. The American League votes down night ball and awards a $500 cash prize for batting leaders retroactive to include Buddy Myer in 1935.

ByTom

Ford Frick is reelected National League president for two years and given a raise. The American League votes down night ball and awards a $500 cash prize for batting leaders retroactive to include Buddy Myer in 1935.